Russell Cicerone has been the catalyst for a Hounds offense that had to overcome a slow start to the season.
Off to the best start he has had to a USL Championship season, Cicerone has made his living in the final third. He has scored or assisted on seven of the club’s 14 goals, and he has already tied his career high for league goals in a season with five.
He originally set that mark back in 2019, netting five goals in 33 appearances with Saint Louis FC. The next year, also with Saint Louis, he only needed 16 games to match the milestone. This year, his fifth goal came in the Hounds’ ninth game of the season, a 2-1 win against the division-leading Tampa Bay Rowdies. Suffice it to say, he is poised to crush his career high.
What has been the difference this season? Like a true sportsman, Cicerone credits the team for his success thus far this year.
“I think we have a really strong squad, which always helps,” he said. “Bob (Lilley) has also been working with me a lot on my movement and to try and score different types of goals, whether it be runs in behind, off crosses or a combination play. I think diversifying myself as an attacker has helped me get off to a good start.”
His growth as an attacker has undoubtedly given him more options in the final third. He is second on the team in chances created with 16 and has two assists.
He also notes that his growth as a player has been as much physical as it has been mental.
“The players in the league get better every year. The speed of play gets better, and every year, you have to grow and adapt,” Cicerone said.
“I think recognizing and finding spaces to get on the ball, as well as just trying to be more dangerous in general, has helped me grow as a player in the USL Championship. You always have to grow with the game, and I think I’ve been doing that. I think I’ve been one of the better players at my position the last couple years, and it’s been about doing the right things and finding the right spaces.”
He also noted that a big priority for the team, in general, has been to be more efficient and decisive.
So far, Cicerone has embodied the club’s attempt to prioritize creating dangerous chances over simply dominating the time of possession. He has netted five goals on just 13 shots, and has put seven shots on target.
He will have his chance to get goal No. 6 on the season at home Saturday, when the Hounds host the Charlotte Independence at 7 p.m.
