Here’s Hoping

On Tuesday, January 31, 2017, FC Cincinnati officially submitted its application to join Major League Soccer as an expansion team. For those of you who do not follow the sport of soccer, FC Cincinnati is currently in the United Soccer League, which is a second tier professional soccer league in the United States. MLS is the highest tier in American soccer as designated by the United States Soccer Federation. With MLS undergoing expansion, a number of cities have entered the race to be chosen as a site for an MLS expansion team. The Queen City was thrust into the mix thanks to the fantastic debut season of FC Cincinnati.

During its premier season in the USL, FC Cincinnati made waves by shattering USL attendance records and by producing a quality product on the field of play. When it came to attendance, FC Cincinnati was able to draw a record setting average of 17,296 fans a match with a season total of 333,353 people. Their home playoff game drew a staggering 30,187 people, which is a USL single game attendance record, and their friendly match against Crystal Palace drew a jaw dropping 35,061 people. It must also be noted that they were the only USL team selected to play Crystal Palace during Crystal Palace’s three-match friendly tour of America. The other two teams selected were MLS teams and drew less than half the amount of people that FC Cincinnati was able to draw for their friendly match with Crystal Palace.

Aside from having the attendance numbers of an MLS team, FC Cincinnati was able to hang with the best competition that the USL had to offer. The team finished third in the USL Eastern Division with a record of 16-6-8 and was able to clinch a home playoff match. Players such as Mitch Hildebrandt and Sean Okoli were honored with multiple USL awards for their efforts on the pitch with Okoli receiving the coveted USL Most Valuable Player award. In fact, Okoli performed so well during the 2016 season that he was offered and accepted a contract to join the New York City Football Club which plays in MLS.

Aside from FC Cincinnati proving that they can draw fans like an MLS team and that they have on field talent worthy of being on an MLS team, they have also presented themselves as an MLS team. From the very beginning, FC Cincinnati presented itself as a professional sports team at a major league level. They secured deals with local radio and television stations to have their games broadcasted in the Cincinnati area and have garnered huge partnership and sponsorship deals with companies such as Toyota, Kroger, and Pepsi. FC Cincinnati’s major league presentation has reverberated well with fans as they perceive the team as major league franchise on par with the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The only big question about FC Cincinnati’s bid to become an MLS team is the stadium situation. MLS requires teams to have a soccer specific stadium to host matches. FC Cincinnati is currently playing in Nippert Stadium on the University of Cincinnati campus. Nippert Stadium serves as the home field for the UC Bearcats football team and is currently undergoing FC Cincinnati funded field expansion so that it can meet FIFA standards. It has been reported that FC Cincinnati has found a few suitable areas for a soccer specific stadium to be built. With the commitment that the team has shown in converting a football stadium into a makeshift soccer stadium, I personally believe that FC Cincinnati will do whatever it takes to construct a soccer specific stadium to call home.

As of now, FC Cincinnati appears to be hitting all the right buttons in its quest to become an MLS team. The team has a huge fan base that shattered attendance records last year and has already bought close to 10,000 season tickets for the 2017 season, and it has an on field product capable of playing with some of the best teams that make up the USL. FC Cincinnati has also presented itself as a major league team by securing big corporate partnerships, local television and radio deals, and by scouting areas for its own stadium. I believe the team has what it takes to be the next MLS expansion franchise, and I will be waiting with baited breath for MLS to announce which city will be the next location for an MLS team. Here’s hoping its Cincinnati!