December 12, 2023 (Cincinnati, OH) – Japanese Professional Athletes and Cincinnati – not a combination that happened until beginning of 2020, when both FC Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Reds signed their first Japanese players in club history and captured the attention of Japanese population in the Tri-State Area. The Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati (or JASGC) held a big fundraiser later in 2020, featuring then Reds Outfielder Shogo Akiyama and FC Cincinnati’s Yuya Kubo. Unfortunately, the event was over Zoom, with it being the year of the pandemic, but the arrival of both Japanese players made a lasting impact in Cincinnati.
Shogo Akiyama came over from the Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB), having played nine seasons with the Seibu Lions. His prime with the Lions consisted of a five-year run of consecutive NPB All-Star selections, and a single season hits record breaking season in 2015. Akiyama’s tenure with the Reds was short-lived, struggling to find consistent playing time in 2021 with a crowded outfield of All-Stars Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos on the team, and the COVID-shortened season in 2020 led to him being released ahead of the 2022 season.
Yuya Kubo, on the other hand, came onto a FC Cincinnati side that was the laughing stock of the league on a Designated Player (DP) contract. That continued for the first two years of his tenure in Cincinnati, as FC Cincinnati ended as the “wooden spoon” winners of both the 2020 and 2021 seasons in Major League Soccer. The Yamaguchi native came over from Belgian side Gent after playing for Kyoto Sanga (J.League, Japan), Young Boys (Super League, Switzerland), and on loan with 1.FC Nurnberg (2. Bundesliga, Germany).
Kubo had some bad luck with the Japanese National Team prior to his arrival in Cincinnati, being denied a release to the U-23 World Cup in 2016 just 49 hours prior to the tournament starting. Young Boys, Kubo’s club at the time, had a player suffer an injury ahead of their UEFA Champions League Qualification match, and chose to keep Kubo on the club squad and deny his release. Kubo would go on to debut for the senior team, the Samurai Blue, ahead of the 2018 World Cup, and make a lasting impression during AFC World Cup Qualification. A change in manager for the national team just ten weeks before the start of the World Cup led to Kubo falling out of favor and not making the squad that made it to the Round of 16 in Russia.
Kubo came into Cincinnati as a player without a clear “best positions”, having played as a second striker, 10, 9, and winger during his time with Gent. Kubo would expand on that versatility with FC Cincinnati, moving back into the midfield as a 8, and later as a 6. In 2023, Kubo played as a striker, attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, and wingback in Pat Noonan’s 3-4-1-2 formation. His versatility, combined with his improved first touch, led him to becoming an invaluable piece for FC Cincinnati and eventually led to his two year contract extension. The 2023 Supporters’ Shield, won by the Orange and Blue, was the first in Kubo’s career.
In the end of year exit interviews for FC Cincinnati, Yuya Kubo spoke on his experience with the Orange and Blue over the last four seasons.
“The first time I came here, I expected to score goals more and I play the number 10 and striker like I played in Europe. But now, I play more [as a] midfielder, but I’m happy to play midfield because I think I grew up as a [part of the] team. The last two seasons I play [in] the midfield.
The first time, I questioned myself: ‘Where do I play?’ ‘Where is my position?’. But now, I play a different position I like. It’s good for the team, as well. That’s why I expected differently the first time I came here, but now I’m really happy to play here”
Yuya Kubo
Now, Yuya Kubo will be with FC Cincinnati for a few more years. The club announced on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 that Yuya Kubo signed a two year contract through the 2025 season, with a club-option for 2026.
With the most congested season in FC Cincinnati club history ahead, Kubo will once again be called upon to play an important part for the Orange and Blue. Yuya Kubo is the only player in club history to appear in every unique competition the club has competed in – MLS, MLS Cup Playoffs, US Open Cup, Leagues Cup, 2022 Leagues Cup Showcase, 2020 MLS is Back Knockout Round). Kubo showed up when it mattered most for FC Cincinnati, strong performances in both the Eastern Conference Semifinal and Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, and a crucial extra time goal in the 114th minute to equalize for FC Cincinnati against Messi and Inter Miami CF in the US Open Cup Semifinal.