Interview with Emmanuel Ledesma  

  Question: Manu Thank You for Joining Today 

Manu:  Thank You for the opportunity and letting me talk to the fans  

Question:  I’ve had other players on the podcast and I'll ask you the same question I have asked them, how have you been staying in shape during this pandemic? 

Manu: Good, I have been training everyday trying to stay motivated. I’m training so I can be ready so when something opens up and a club calls I can give it my full. 

Question:  Let’s talk about 2018 you had a great year with FC Cincy 16 goals and 16 assists, incredibly numbers. What can you tell us about that season?  

Manu:  A dreamed season for any player and better yet having won the conference title that year. That year the club spoke for itself, I had a great season but it was all thanks to teammates around me who helped and contributed in everything. The 2018 Team was Honestly a Family, it was a great chemistry between every player.

  Question: The following season 2019 was a rough one for Fc Cincinnati joining the mls, does it really effect being an Expansion team in the mls? 

      Manu: Yes, It really does, it was like a new world for us and we had to adopt. It has happened to other teams it happens in this sport. 2019 was a very difficult year, personally for me it was tough Cincinatti is my place in this world by the way I was treated by the fans, the club and the team mates. That season hurt a lot but for me personally it hurt even more having been one of the few to still be around from the usl, having a great season like you said in 2018 and then going to 2019 having that bad season really hurt. It hurt seeing all the fans show up no matter what and not being able to perform.  

Question: You mentioned the fans even though it was a tough season in 2019 the fans showed up, 27k average it’s an incredible number. I see how much love they have for you, it’s a loyal fan base and it’s incredible to see how engaged they are. 

Manu: You receive what you give, they treated me like I had been in Cincinnati all my life. The people gave me all their love since day one and I tried to give it back not just on the field but outside. I gave it 110% all the time, I would stay with the fans after games to talk to them to hear them out and make a kid smile. I honestly miss that and I hope I get to experience that with them again.  

Questions: Manu let me ask you a question of that I've been wanting to ask, you have played in the NASl, USl and MLS we know there's no promotion and relegation in the league. Is there really a noticeable difference between the leagues?  

Manu: Honestly no not much of a difference. I can tell you that with the 2018 team that we had in Cincy we could’ve played good in the MLS. I knew with that team we had that we were going to win a match even before stepping on the field or that we were going to give it all because we all had each other's backs. It was a family and it was incredible because the majority of us were new in cincy that year and I can tell you that we would have done good stuff in the mls with that squad but yeah, I don’t see much difference between the leagues. For me no matter the league either USL, NASl or MSL the ball is still the same it won’t change. The players mentality has to be the same no matter the league. 

Question: nacho from @mlsargentina ok wants to ask. It’s a question that we all want to know what really happened with FC Cincinnati? The fans have said something, The Cincy staff have said other things. What Can You tell us? 

Manu: A lot of things have happened but it’s part of the past it’s time to look forward. My Heart is in Cincy and if I have to go back tomorrow I would and I would give it all for the players, clubs and Fans. No matter what happened either good or bath it’s part of the past we can’t change it but we can change what will happen in the future. Like I said If the day of tomorrow I have to go back to Cincy (I hope i do) then I would because I would love to 

Question: You basically just answered my other question which was if you would like to go back to Cincinatti?  

Manu: I would love to because I know that I owe the fans a lot for all the love they’ve shown and because of the 2019 season we had. I’m in debt with them and the club, I just want to live my life in cincy again with my family which is where I want to be.  

Question: Nacho also asks if another mls team calls would you play for them? 

Manu:  Yes, I would but if I could be honest if it’s cincy the it would be a dream because like I said it’s my place in the world.  

Questions: last 2 from Nacho if you would like to play In Argentina and if so, What team?  

Answer: Yes, I’m a big Boca Junior Fan I would love to play for them. My soccer Idol is Riquelme and he is currently the manager there it would be incredible if that happens. Boca is a big club they have other priority’s I'm being realistic but if I could choose it would be them. If I plated in Boca the I could die happily.  

Question:  You’ve played in Greece, Italy, England and the U.S here have you enjoyed playing the most? 

Manu: I’ve played in at top levels in All those countries but I've enjoyed it the most in Cincy. I played for NY Cosmo and it went well even though we lost the final we had a fantastic team. I have a lot of love for the fans over there but I think Cincy has created something special that goes even farther then soccer. That’s where I enjoyed life not just as a soccer player but with my family as well, my son going to school being able to go see him play and receiving all the support from the fans was great like I said it’s something that goes farther than soccer.  

Question: Nathan Hale @ninoone You took a supporter Scarf when you left the pitch at Nippert Stadium on your last Game. The scarf was around your Head, where is the scarf now? 

Manu: Everything is saved away everything, I save everything not just Cincy stuff but everything even the jerseys I have exchanged with players. It’s something I can show my kids that I have enjoyed playing soccer and it’s something to remember. 

Host:  For those who are listening in Argentina and Are asking themselves are the fans really that loyal in cincy? Yes! I had a Cincy page @cincysoccertalk on my podcast as guest before and the next day BOOM! All over twitter interacting, Very active fans on social Media. 

Manu: Yes! That what you call true fans! Those who cheer for you in the good and bad moments. They support you no matter what, they never give up and are always there giving you a smile not matter the situation. 

Questions: My cohosts want to know how much does it effect a player to go on loans? How hard is it mentally?  

Manu: It depends how you take it, every time I went on loans, I took it as a positive thing. I had injuries and other situations that happened. The coach would ask me if I wanted to go on a loan? I would take it as a good experience and having minutes to play. I enjoyed what I did and there was no room for me in the team but I took it as an opportunity to show that I belonged there and to show what I had to offer. 

Question:   Going back to Cincy, did cincy not have a style of play in 2019 compared to 2018? 

Manu: it’s 2 different things, Sometimes EGO is not Good and it doesn’t work in a club no matter the player. I'll give you an example 2018 no one was more than anyone that was our mentality, we were a Family. Like I said I knew with that squad that that we were going to win before entering the field. In 2019 at the beginning I had to hear comments made about me that I was a “USL” player that I didn’t have talent for the MLS a lot of things. I like to heard that “I'm Not good” it’s a challenge for me to prove them that they are wrong. I remember watching the game vs Atlanta at home with my kid and he asks me “Dad why are you here, are you hurt? Why aren’t you playing?” I had to explain it to him in school terms so he could better understand the situation.  I said “do you remember when we were new here and you were having a hard time in school that you were being bullied and didn’t know that language? Well now dads going through a difficult time but just like we overcame that problem we will overcome this one, Dads going to show everyone that he can and he will play. That's what I did I ended up playing 26/24 games out of 32” the first thing that should be in a locker room is respect, respectful to your team mates, coaching staff and the ego has to stay outside no one is better than anyone no matter how much you're making. Sometimes Ego blocks you from seeing all of that but it happens in soccer. 

Question: Something more fun, Favorite place in Cincy? Maybe somewhere you like to go with your family? 

Manu: We loved to go to the beach and to a park that was close to home and drink Mate (tea) but my favorite place and as well as my family has to be Nippert Stadium it was I don’t know how to describe it, it’s an incredible place where you call feel the love of the people and my family would see that and they would enjoy their time. The most beautiful place is Nippert stadium we trained every day in 2018 there in 2019 we had our new training ground.  

Host: Bobby Edwards was on the podcast and he told me that you could go on a bike drive and get a beer or something to eat and you would see fans in their jersey’s all-around showing love all the time. 

Manu: it has happened many times, in line at the market people would come to me and would as “what happened in the last game?” and they would say oh no don’t worry you’re my favorite player thanks for everything that you do for the club. Things like that fill you up. 

Host: Manu I don’t want to take more of your time, Thank You for joining me. If you want to send a message to fans please this is your time. 

Manu: Thank You for all the love know that it’s mutual and that I’m not losing hope, I dream on going back I pray to god it happens. Hopefully I can and be part of that great team and defend those colors. 

Host: Many Thank You for your time I hope to see you back in the mls, I know you want your revenge in this league and prove those who doubted you wrong. I know you have talent and hope to see it again in the mls. 

Manu: Thank You very Much, Thanks for letting express myself and thank all the fans. Hopefully the wishes I made when I blew my candle come true at least one of them. Thank You God Bless. Till next time