FC Cincinnati

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Major League Soccer team. For the United Soccer League team, see FC Cincinnati (2016–18).

FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati primary logo 2018.svg
Full nameFootball Club Cincinnati[1][2]
Nickname(s)Orange and Blue
FoundedMay 29, 2018; 3 years ago (2018-05-29)[nb 1]
StadiumTQL Stadium
Cincinnati, Ohio
Capacity26,000[3]
OwnerCarl Lindner III
General managerChris Albright
Head coachPat Noonan
LeagueMajor League Soccer
2021Eastern Conference: 14th
Overall: 27th
Playoffs: Did not qualify
WebsiteClub website
Away colors
Current season

Football Club Cincinnati,[1] commonly known as FC Cincinnati, is an American professional soccer club based in Cincinnati. The club plays in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The team succeeded the lower-division team of the same name and was announced on May 29, 2018, when MLS awarded an expansion franchise to Cincinnati.[4][5] The team began MLS play on March 2, 2019, with its first match against Seattle Sounders FC. The club's ownership group is led by Carl H. Lindner III with Jeff Berding serving as president. Currently, the role of general manager is held by Chris Albright.

History[]

The owners of the USL club began negotiations with Major League Soccer over a potential expansion franchise in early 2016, and Cincinnati was announced as one of ten cities that had expressed interest in the slots for teams 25 to 28.[6][7] MLS Commissioner Don Garber visited Cincinnati in December 2016 to tour Nippert Stadium and meet with city and club officials, complimenting the city and its fans.[8] FC Cincinnati formally submitted its expansion bid in January 2017, including a shortlist of potential stadium locations.[9]

On May 29, 2018, Major League Soccer announced that Cincinnati would join the league in 2019 as an expansion team under the FC Cincinnati brand.[10][4] TQL Stadium, a 26,000-seat soccer-specific venue in the West End, opened in 2021.[4][11]

FC Cincinnati signed its first two MLS players, Fanendo Adi and Fatai Alashe, in July 2018. Adi was the team's first designated player.[12] Both players were loaned to the FC Cincinnati USL team for the remainder of the 2018 season.[13]

FC Cincinnati selected five players from certain MLS teams in the expansion draft, which took place on December 11, 2018.[14] The players were Darren Mattocks (D.C United), Kei Kamara (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Roland Lamah (FC Dallas), Eric Alexander (Houston Dynamo), and Hassan Ndam (New York Red Bulls). Kei Kamara was then traded to the Colorado Rapids for an international roster spot.[15]

On May 7, 2019, the club fired head coach Alan Koch after a 2–7–2 start to the 2019 MLS season.[16] Assistant coach Yoann Damet was named as interim head coach. President and general manager Jeff Berding cited a culmination of on-field performance and off-field matters for the dismissal.[17]

On August 8, 2019, Ron Jans was officially hired and made head coach of FC Cincinnati.[18] However, Jans resigned on February 17, 2020, amidst an investigation into his alleged use of a racial slur.[19]

On August 6, 2021, FC Cincinnati announced that the club and then general manager Gerard Nijkamp had "parted ways effective immediately".[20]

On September 27, 2021, the club relieved the duties of Head Coach Jaap Stam, 2-time Interim Head Coach Yoann Damet, and Assistant Coach Said Bakkati.[21] Former MLS defender Tyrone Marshall was named interim coach.

On October 4, 2021, FC Cincinnati announced the hiring of Chris Albright as the General Manager of the club.[22]

On December 14, 2021, FC Cincinnati officially hired Pat Noonan as the new head coach of the team.[23]

Stadium[]

FC Cincinnati played at Nippert Stadium for its first two seasons in MLS while its permanent home, the soccer-specific TQL Stadium, was being built.[4] The new stadium hosted its first match, a 3–2 loss to Inter Miami CF, on May 16, 2021.[24]

Colors and badge[]

FC Cincinnati's primary colors are orange and blue. The secondary colors are gray, dark blue, and white.[25][26] The home jersey is blue, orange, and white. The away jersey is white and black.[27][28]

An updated crest was designed after they were accepted as an expansion team to Major League Soccer. It maintains the same orange and blue color scheme but now pays tribute to the city of Cincinnati.[29]

Sponsorship[]

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Sleeve sponsor
2019 Adidas[30] Mercy Health[4] —
2020 First Financial Bank[4]
2021–present Kroger

FC Cincinnati reached a multiyear deal with First Financial Bank to serve as the club's exclusive banking and financial services partner. First Financial will gain many benefits from this partnership. There will be a First Financial Gate as well as a premium club area at the new stadium. They will also be involved in planning community events, fan experiences and game-day activities.[31] As part of an extended sponsorship, First Financial Bank was announced as FC Cincinnati's sleeve sponsor, along with Cintas.[32]

Club culture[]

The Bailey is the main supporters section at TQL Stadium.

The club recognizes the following supporters' groups: Auxilia One, the Bridge, the Briogaid, Los Caballeros, Die Innenstadt, Hangar 937, Norden, the Pride, Queen City Firm, and the Queen City Mafia.[33]

Rivalries[]

See also: Hell Is Real Derby and River Cities Cup

Cincinnati has an in-state rival in Columbus Crew.[34] The idea of the Ohio soccer rivalry first gained popularity ahead of a 2017 U.S. Open Cup match between FC Cincinnati (then in the United Soccer League) and the Crew. The rivalry was dubbed the Hell Is Real Derby after a billboard on Interstate 71, the highway between Columbus and Cincinnati.[35][36] The clubs faced each other in their first league matches in 2019: on August 10 in Columbus and August 25 in Cincinnati (the latter match took place during MLS Rivalry Week).[37]

FCC also retains a heated rivalry from its USL days with current lower division club Louisville. The two teams most recently played each other in a friendly on March 13, 2021.[38]

Ownership[]

General manager Jeff Berding, MLS commissioner Don Garber, club owner Carl Lindner III, and Cincinnati mayor John Cranley at the MLS franchise announcement in 2018

Former Cincinnati Bengals executive Jeff Berding is the president.[39] The CEO and majority owner of the team is Carl Lindner III, CEO of American Financial Group, with Scott Farmer also a leading owner.[40][41]

In November 2019, Meg Whitman purchased a minority stake in the club.[42] Whitman will serve as the club's Alternate Governor on the MLS Board of Governors.

In May 2019, Dutch football executive Gerard Nijkamp joined the club as general manager to oversee all the club's sports activities. On August 6, 2021, Nijkamp and the club mutually agreed to part ways.[43] The club was 7–20–10 during his tenure.

Media[]

On January 30, 2019, FC Cincinnati reached an agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group to have WSTR-TV televise all home and away games, except for ones already scheduled to be broadcast nationally. Continuing from their roles on the former USL team, Tom Gelehrter calls play-by-play with Kevin McCloskey as color analyst. Lindsay Patterson served as sideline reporter through 2019, and Alex Stec has held the position since 2020.[44][45]

Players and staff[]

See also: All-time FC Cincinnati (MLS) roster

Roster[]

As of January 18, 2022[46]
No. Pos. Player Nation
1 GK Alec Kann  United States
2 DF Alvas Powell  Jamaica
3 DF Tyler Blackett  England
5 DF Gustavo Vallecilla  Ecuador
7 FW Yuya Kubo  Japan
8 MF Allan Cruz  Costa Rica
9 FW Brenner (DP)  Brazil
11 MF Luciano Acosta (DP)  Argentina
12 DF Geoff Cameron  United States
14 DF Nick Hagglund  United States
16 DF Zico Bailey (HG)  United States
17 MF Ben Mines (HG)  United States
18 DF Rónald Matarrita  Costa Rica
19 FW Brandon Vazquez  United States
20 FW Calvin Harris (GA)  England
21 MF Kyle Scott  United States
23 FW Isaac Atanga  Ghana
25 GK Kenneth Vermeer  Netherlands
29 FW Arquimides Ordonez (HG)  United States
30 GK Beckham Sunderland (HG)  United States
31 MF Álvaro Barreal  Argentina
— FW Dominique Badji  Senegal
— GK Roman Celentano (GA)  United States
— DF Ray Gaddis  United States
— DF John Nelson (GA)  United States

Technical staff[]

Title Name
President Jeff Berding
General manager Chris Albright
Head coach Pat Noonan
Director of sports performance Gary Walker
Director of sports medicine Aaron Powell
Strength & conditioning coach Austin Berry
Video analyst Diego Martinez del Campo
Head of scouting Hunter Freeman
Regional scout Doug Elder
Manager of team personnel Tommy Rogers
Data and analytics Alexander Schram

Last updated: September 28, 2021
Source: FC Cincinnati

Head coaches[]

Name Nation Tenure
Alan Koch  South Africa February 17, 2017 – May 7, 2019
Yoann Damet (interim)  France May 7, 2019 – August 4, 2019
Ron Jans  Netherlands August 4, 2019 – February 17, 2020
Yoann Damet (interim)  France February 17, 2020 – May 21, 2020
Jaap Stam  Netherlands May 21, 2020 – September 27, 2021
Tyrone Marshall (interim)  Jamaica September 27, 2021 – November 7, 2021
Pat Noonan  United States December 14, 2021 – Present

Club captains[]

Years Name Nation
2019–2020[47] Kendall Waston Costa Rica

Records[]

Year-by-year[]

Main article: List of FC Cincinnati seasons

This is a partial list of the last five MLS seasons completed by FC Cincinnati. For the full season-by-season history, see List of FC Cincinnati seasons.

Season League Position Playoffs USOC Continental / Other Average
attendance 		Top goalscorer(s)
Div League Pld W L D GF GA GD Pts PPG Conf. Overall Name(s) Goals
2019 1 MLS 34 6 22 6 31 75 –44 24 0.71 12th 24th DNQ R5 DNQ 27,336 Costa Rica Allan Cruz 7
2020 MLS 23 4 15 4 12 36 –24 16 0.70 14th 26th NH MLS is Back Tournament Ro16 0 Japan Yuya Kubo 3
2021 MLS 34 4 22 8 37 74 –37 20 0.59 14th 27th NH DNQ 21,175 Brazil Brenner 8

^ 1. Avg. Attendance include statistics from league matches only.
^ 2. Top Goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in League, Playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, MLS is Back Tournament, CONCACAF Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and other competitive continental matches.

Player records[]

Appearances[]

As of November 10, 2021[48]
Rank Name Period MLS Playoffs USOC Total
1 United States Nick Hagglund 2019–2021 56 0 2 58
Costa Rica Allan Cruz 2019–present 58 0 0 58
3 United States Caleb Stanko 2019–2021 55 0 2 57
4 United States Joe Gyau 2020–present 50 0 0 50
United States Brandon Vazquez 2020–present 50 0 0 50
France Mathieu Deplagne 2019–2020 48 0 2 50
7 Bosnia and Herzegovina Haris Medunjanin 2020–present 49 0 0 49
8 Japan Yuya Kubo 2020–present 47 0 0 47
9 Poland Przemysław Tytoń 2019–present 41 0 2 43
10 Costa Rica Kendall Waston 2019–2020 42 0 0 42
United States Frankie Amaya 2019–2020 40 0 2 42

Goals[]

As of November 10, 2021[48]
Rank Name Period MLS Playoffs USOC Total
1 Costa Rica Allan Cruz 2019–present 9 0 0 9
2 Brazil Brenner 2021–present 8 0 0 8
3 Argentina Luciano Acosta 2021–present 7 0 0 7
4 United States Brandon Vazquez 2020–present 6 0 0 6
Argentina Emmanuel Ledesma 2019 6 0 0 6
6 The Gambia Kekuta Manneh 2019–2020 4 0 1 5
7 Bosnia and Herzegovina Haris Medunjanin 2020–present 4 0 0 4
8 Argentina Álvaro Barreal 2020–present 3 0 0 3
Japan Yuya Kubo 2020–present 3 0 0 3
Jamaica Darren Mattocks 2019 3 0 0 3
11 Ecuador Gustavo Vallecilla 2021–present 2 0 0 2
United States Nick Hagglund 2019–present 2 0 0 2
Costa Rica Ronald Matarrita 2021–present 2 0 0 2
Netherlands Jürgen Locadia 2020–2021 2 0 0 2
Nigeria Fanendo Adi 2019 1 0 1 2

Shutouts[]

As of November 10, 2021[48]
Rank Name Period MLS Playoffs USOC Total
1 Poland Przemysław Tytoń 2019–present 11 0 0 11
2 United States Spencer Richey 2019–2020 5 0 0 5
3 Netherlands Kenneth Vermeer 2021–present 4 0 0 4

Bolded players are currently on the FC Cincinnati roster.

Affiliated clubs[]

On September 25, 2020, FC Cincinnati signed a partnership agreement with Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.[49] Furthermore, the club is also a part of the "Common Values Club Alliance" with Hoffenheim, and Ghanaian Premier League club Hearts of Oak SC.

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ MLS franchise awarded in 2018 but did not begin play until 2019. FC Cincinnati played in the USL and was founded in 2016.

References[]

  1. ^ a b "MLS Brand: FC Cincinnati". FCCincinnati.com. FC Cincinnati. Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  2. ^ Weingartner, Tana (November 12, 2018). "Football Club Cincinnati: Check Out FC Cincinnati's New Branding". Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  3. ^ "West End Stadium". FCCincinnati.com. MLS Digital. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Cincinnati awarded MLS expansion club, will start play in 2019". MLSSoccer.com. MLS Digital. May 29, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  5. ^ "FC Cincinnati to join MLS as expansion team". ESPN. May 29, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  6. ^ Couch, Ben (December 15, 2016). "MLS announces expansion process and timeline". MLSsoccer.com. MLS Digital. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  7. ^ "FC Cincinnati 'in talks' with Major League Soccer, but no solid plan in the works". WCPO. April 23, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  8. ^ Hatch, Charlie (December 4, 2016). "MLS Commissioner Don Garber impressed by Cincinnati after midweek tour". MLSsoccer.com. MLS Digital. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  9. ^ Brennan, Patrick (January 31, 2017). "FC Cincinnati submits expansion bid to MLS". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  10. ^ Brennan, Patrick (May 29, 2018). "It's official: FC Cincinnati has joined MLS, will begin play in 2019". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  11. ^ Watkins, Steve (March 22, 2018). "Here's when FC Cincinnati plans to begin play in new stadium". Cincinnati Business Journal. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  12. ^ "FC Cincinnati signs Fanendo Adi, Fatai Alashe ahead of MLS move". ESPN. July 30, 2018.
  13. ^ "Cincinnati Bolsters Squad with Adi, Alashe". uslsoccer.com. July 31, 2018.
  14. ^ "FC Cincinnati can select 5 major league players for inaugural roster". November 9, 2018.
  15. ^ Bogart, Tom (December 11, 2018). "2018 Expansion Draft Results: FC Cincinnati pick, trade big names".
  16. ^ "Club Dismisses Head Coach Alan Koch". FC Cincinnati. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  17. ^ Brennan, Patrick (May 7, 2019). "FC Cincinnati dismises Alan Koch as head coach". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  18. ^ "Ron Jans named Head Coach". FC Cincinnati. August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  19. ^ Brennan, Pat. "FC Cincinnati: Ron Jans resigns as head coach". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  20. ^ "FC Cincinnati and General Manager Gerard Nijkamp Agree to Mutually Part Ways". FCCincinnati.com. FC Cincinnati. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  21. ^ "FC Cincinnati announce departure of Head Coach Jaap Stam". FCCincinnati.com. FC Cincinnati. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  22. ^ "FC Cincinnati hire Chris Albright as new General Manager". FCCincinnati.com. FC Cincinnati. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  23. ^ "FC Cincinnati hire Pat Noonan as head coach". FCCincinnati.com. FC Cincinnati. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  24. ^ "FCC fall to Inter Miami CF, 3-2". FCCincinnati.com. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  25. ^ Lind, Jason (November 12, 2018). "FC Cincinnati reveal new MLS crest and colors for expansion season". MLSSoccer.com. MLS Digital. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  26. ^ "FCC Unveils its Major League Soccer Logo, Marks & Colors". FCCincinnati.com (Press release). MLS Digital. November 12, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  27. ^ "Inaugural 2019 MLS Kit Unveiled". FCCincinnati.com (Press release). MLS Digital. February 11, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  28. ^ Watkins, Steve (February 11, 2019). "FC Cincinnati unveils jerseys for MLS".
  29. ^ Bava, John (November 12, 2018). "FC Cincinnati Unveils Updated Crest Ahead of Inaugural MLS Season".
  30. ^ "Major League Soccer and adidas extend landmark partnership through 2024". MLSSoccer.com. MLS Digital. August 2, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  31. ^ Watkins, Steve (January 16, 2019). "FC Cincinnati".
  32. ^ Brennan, Pat (July 10, 2020). "FC Cincinnati new sleeve sponsors". Cincinnati.com.
  33. ^ "FCC Supporter Groups". inclinecincy.com. The Incline Collective. January 13, 2022.
  34. ^ Reed, Tom (June 14, 2017). "It's feeling real in Cincinnati". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  35. ^ Murphy, Pat (June 14, 2017). "Massive Predictions: Hell is Real – Will Hell freeze over or take over Columbus following this U.S. Open Cup Derby?". Massive Report. SB Nation. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  36. ^ Hatch, Charlie (June 14, 2017). "'HELL IS REAL,' and so is FC Cincinnati's threat to Columbus". FourFourTwo. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  37. ^ "FCC's Inaugural MLS Schedule Released". FCCincinnati.com. MLS Digital. January 9, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  38. ^ "LouCity opens preseason with win over MLS' FC Cincinnati". March 13, 2021.
  39. ^ Kay, Joe (May 29, 2018). "FC Cincinnati to join MLS in 2019 as league's latest expansion team". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  40. ^ Straus, Brian (February 1, 2017). "MLS expansion city profile: Cincinnati". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  41. ^ Watkins, Steve (May 23, 2018). "FC Cincinnati owner Lindner on MLS bid: 'I think we're going to get over the finish line'". Cincinnati Business Courier.
  42. ^ Soshnick, Scott (November 27, 2019). "Meg Whitman's Stake Values Cincinnati Soccer Team at $500 Million". Bloomberg News.
  43. ^ "FC Cincinnati and General Manager Gerard Nijkamp Agree to Mutually Part Ways". FCCincinnati.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  44. ^ "WSTR Star64 Announced As Local Broadcast Partner". FCCincinnati.com (Press release). MLS Digital. January 30, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  45. ^ "Broadcast Information". FC Cincinnati. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  46. ^ "Roster". FCCincinnati.com. FC Cincinnati. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  47. ^ "Waston Named Club Captain". FCCincinnati.com. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  48. ^ a b c "Stats FC Cincinnati". FCCincinnati.com. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  49. ^ "FC Cincinnati announce partnership with Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim". MLS Soccer. September 25, 2020.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""