FC Cincinnati hires Chris Albright from Philadelphia Union as general manager

CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati announced today that Chris Albright has been hired as the new General Manager of the club, effective immediately. Albright brings over two decades of American soccer experience to FC Cincinnati, as a player and as technical director. He played 15 seasons in Major League Soccer, winning three MLS Cup titles.

Since his retirement from playing after the 2013 season, he has served as Technical Director of the Philadelphia Union. During his time, the Union have won the Supporters’ Shield (2020), earned four playoff appearances, and finished runners up in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup three times.

“Our search for our next general manager was extensive,” said FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding. “Our new GM was going to be someone who knew what was required to win in Major League Soccer, experience that was non-negotiable. Delivering on that requirement, we are delighted to have found the best person for the job.”

“Chris’ experience in Major League Soccer and his track record of success are impressive,” said Managing Owner and CEO Carl H. Lindner III. “His ambitious, energetic character is emblematic of the type of leader we sought to bring in. We are thrilled to have him lead our soccer organization, and we are confident that he will fulfill our goals and help make Cincinnati a championship city.”

Albright will report to Berding and oversee all soccer-related areas, including roster management; salary cap budgeting and administration; player scouting and acquisition; oversight of the coaching staff, sports performance staff and medical staff; youth development and academy programs, and more.

“It’s an honor to be the general manager of FC Cincinnati,” Albright said. “This is a club with incredible supporters, top-of-the-league facilities and resources, and a hunger for success. I would like to thank Carl [H. Lindner III], Meg Whitman and the ownership, as well as Jeff and everyone who has trusted me to lead this club to achieve the goals we have set. I am committed to bringing all my knowledge and experience to the table to make FC Cincinnati a championship club. I look forward to meeting the team, the staff and all of the fans, and I can’t wait to get started.”

The Philadelphia native played two seasons of college soccer at the University of Virginia. After leading the team with 20 goals and adding 23 more assists, Albright left UVA after the 1999 season to join Project-40, joining MLS after being courted by clubs overseas as well. He was assigned to D.C. United, and in his first season the club hoisted the 1999 MLS Cup.

Albright would go on to win two more MLS Cups, in 2002 and in 2005 with the Los Angeles Galaxy. His performance during the 2005 Cup-winning campaign earned him MLS Best XI honors and the second of three consecutive MLS All-Star team selections. He ended his 15-year MLS career having played in 253 matches, tallying 12 goals and 25 assists with five MLS Clubs.

In addition to his domestic success, Albright earned 22 caps with the United States Men’s National team, including a selection as a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team in Sydney and the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad in Germany. Albright scored two goals for the U.S. in the 2000 Olympic run to the bronze medal game, the best finish in men’s Olympic history.

After he retired from playing with the Union in 2013, he was appointed Technical Director in January 2014. In that time, the Union have not only seen domestic success, winning the 2020 Supporters’ Shield and reaching the U.S. Open Cup final three times, but also international recognition for his development of the Union Academy.

Under Albright, the Union Academy has developed into one of the best in the world at cultivating talent and recently has produced young stars who have garnered massive international transfers. Academy products Zack Steffen earned a move to Manchester City, and Mark McKenzie and Brenden Aaronson earned massive European moves as well.