Golden Jaguars’ Emery Welshman is MLS-bound with FC Cincinnati
Guyana’s Emery Welshman in action for FC Cincinnati
Guyana’s Emery Welshman in action for FC Cincinnati

GUYANA’s Senior Men’s National Team forward, Emery Welshman, will be heading back to the MLS, this time with Futbol Club, Cincinnati.

On the strength of record-breaking soccer attendances and the completion of an innovative plan to build a new, state-of-the-art football stadium, Major League Soccer (MLS) announced in May that Cincinnati has been awarded an expansion team, and will play in the 2019 season.

The expansion side, which will continue as FC Cincinnati when it joins MLS, plans to play at Nippert Stadium until 2021, when a new 21,000-seat football stadium in Cincinnati’s West End neighbourhood is expected to be completed.

Welshman, who will occupy an international roster spot on Cincinnati’s 2019 MLS roster, said “This is a huge opportunity for me to move forward with a club that has ambition.”

The charismatic attacker further noted that “When I signed with the club last year, I knew where they were heading, and I was excited to be part of that team. Now, to be part of an inaugural MLS squad, I’m very blessed. It’s very humbling. It’s a huge blessing for me and for my family and I’m very grateful.”

Welshman originally signed with FC Cincinnati on January 3, 2018 and in his lone season with the ‘Orange and Blue” in the United Soccer League (USL), the forward made 26 appearances, including 14 starts, scored four goals and added four assists.

FC Cincinnati coach Alan Koch described Welshman as a player that makes everyone else around him better, while further pointing out “He’s a selfless player and a selfless person. He’s willing to do what the team needs him to do and I’m excited to see him showcase himself in MLS. Like several guys on the team, he’s had a taste and probably didn’t get the best chance in the league. Now he has a chance to embrace this opportunity.”

The Mississauga, Ontario, native was one of four FC Cincinnati players to record at least four goals and four assists in a season. He scored his first goal– the game-winning goal– in the club’s second match of 2018 at Indy Eleven on March 31.

The forward also recorded a goal and an assist for the Orange and Blue on two separate occasions. Outside of MLS play, he also added a hat-trick in FC Cincinnati’s U.S. Open Cup overtime win over Detroit City FC on May 16.

Welshman’s professional career began in 2013 when he was drafted by Toronto FC in the first round, 16th overall, of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft after completing his final two collegiate seasons at Oregon State.

In 2013, he made two appearances across all competitions for Toronto FC. Following the MLS season, he signed with Sigma FC of League1 Ontario, where he played for one season.

In 2015, Welshman signed with Real Monarchs SLC of the USL, where he made 19 appearances and scored six goals. At the conclusion of the 2015 USL season, he signed with Real Salt Lake.

While he didn’t make a first team appearance, Welshman made three appearances on loan with the Monarchs. In 2017, he signed with the Carmelo Anthony-owned Puerto Rico FC of the North American Soccer League (NASL). Welshman made 22 appearances, including 13 starts, scored five goals and added three assists.

Welshman has seven caps for Guyana, and has scored six goals since making his international debut in 2015. Most recently, he was called up for Guyana’s CONCACAF Nations League Qualifiers against the Turks and Caicos Islands in October and French Guiana in November. The forward notched a hat-trick in the Golden Jaguars’ 8-0 victory over Turks and Caicos Islands on Oct. 13.

The next time Cincinnati takes the field, it will be as MLS’ 24th team in 2019 when the club debuts in the top professional league in the U.S. and Canada. Season tickets for the 2019 season are now on sale at fccincinnati.com/tickets.

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