FC Cincinnati Recap 2018

FC Cincinnati may have completed only its third season, but it was by far its biggest year in the team's short existence. Attendance records were shattered, on field performances were fantastic, and a call up to Major League Soccer made 2018 an unforgettable year for the orange and blue. Here's a recap of the year 2018 for FC Cincinnati.

The year started immediately after the team pitched their bid to MLS just before Christmas of 2017. Nashville had already been awarded one of two coveted MLS expansion slots and Cincinnati, Sacramento, and Detroit were left to compete for the last one. The three remaining cities had an issue with their bid, and it seemed that whoever straightened things out first would be awarded with an MLS expansion team. For FC Cincinnati, it was the soccer specific stadium situation that was holding up things. Newport, Oakley, and the West End were all tagged as possible areas for a stadium, but no deals had been locked down and no plan had been officially put into motion. This sparked a massive saga that dragged out for months of where the stadium will be built and who would pay for it.

Meanwhile, FCC head coach Alan Koch was preparing for his second season as the team's leader and had been traveling around the world recruiting players. New faces such as Emmanuel Ledesma, Nazmi Albadawi, and Forrest Lasso were joining returning players from the 2017 team such as Justin Hoyte and Danni Konig as well as FCC OGs Jimmy McLaughlin, Kenny Walker, and Corben Bone.

The team definitely had a new look not only with the acquisition of its many new players, but it's uniforms as well. Gone were the blue, orange, and white uniforms that mimicked the look of the United States Men's National Team as the team unveiled new, sleeker kits that featured a striped look with diamonds. The new look of the team combined with the impending MLS bid made the 2018 FCC season the most hyped sporting story in Cincinnati, and the season hadn't even started yet.

Once the lads took to the pitch, they got off to a bit of a slow start as it took time for the combination of returning and new players to develop some on field chemistry. Once they began to gel, they dominated the United Soccer League and notched big wins over New York Red Bulls II and arch rival Louisville City FC. They continued to pack Nippert Stadium with soccer crazed fans as attendance records were continually set and broken seemingly week after week. The team also strung together a 23 match unbeaten streak in route to capturing the USL Regular Season Championship. They knocked off future MLS rival Nashville SC in the first round of the playoffs in a dramatic penalty kick thriller before ending their USL tenure with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Red Bulls II.

With the team taking care of business on the field, Jeff Bearding and Carl Linder III were taking care of business off the field to secure the MLS bid. After a nauseating months long debate of where the stadium should be built, the West End was officially announced as the future soccer specific stadium site for FCC once a deal was reached between the team, the city, the West End, and Cincinnati Public Schools. It was the final piece of the puzzle that FCC needed to secure its place in MLS. On May 29, 2018, MLS officially announced that FCC would be joining the league as an expansion team and would being play in 2019. The city celebrated as thousands gathered at Fountain Square to participate in the most historic sports moment that Cincinnati has seen in quite some time.

In conclusion, FCC's third season was a massive success. Even though the team fell short of winning the USL Cup, they did win the USL Regular Season Championship, set numerous attendance records once again, and most importantly, secured its spot in the highest American professional soccer league. Individual USL honors were awarded to Forrest Lasso, Emmanuel Ledesma, and Alan Koch. Lasso won the USL Defender of the Year award, Ledesma won the USL Most Valuable Player award, and Koch won the USL Coach of the Year award. All three are returning to FCC as part of its MLS team in 2019. I thoroughly enjoyed FCC's 2018 campaign and cannot wait for them to step foot on an MLS pitch in 2019. If their MLS debut is anything like their 2018 USL swan song was, Cincinnati is going to be in for a fun ride.

Redsfest 2018 Recap

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone recaps Redsfest 2018. 

2018 Cincinnati Reds Bobbleheads Review

2018 featured some pretty cool Cincinnati Reds bobbleheads. The team continued its tradition of distributing bobbleheads to fans a few games a year as well as giving special ticket package bobbleheads that feature some sort of cross promotion. I did not get every bobblehead that the team handed out this season as some were of repeat players, others were of cross promotions that did not appeal to me, and most importantly because I have a budget (haha). In this post, I will review the bobbleheads I added to my collection that were distributed by the Reds.

The first bobblehead of given out by the Reds that I added to my collection was of Captain America. This was the second consecutive year that the Reds and Marvel teamed up to distribute a bobblehead via a special ticket package. I really like this bobblehead as it looks great and displays my fandom for both the Reds and super heroes.

The second bobblehead I received from the Reds was a standard stadium giveaway bobble of Scooter Gennett on a scooter. This bobble commemorated Scooter’s four home run game from 2017 and featured Gennett on the scooter that the team presented him with due to his outstanding performance. Scooter is my current favorite Reds player and having a bobblehead of him on a scooter is really cool. In my opinion, the Reds knocked this one out of the park.

Third on the list of bobbleheads I received from the Reds is a bobble of the team’s female mascot, Rosie Red. This is the first ever stadium giveaway bobblehead of Rosie the team has given to fans, and I love it. The team rarely distributes bobbleheads of its mascots so getting my hands on the first ever Rosie Red stadium giveaway bobblehead was a must.

The fourth and final 2018 bobblehead in my collection courtesy of the Reds is of Scott Schebler. The outfielder won the fan vote this year and had his very bobblehead game on August 18. Known for his slugging, the Reds had Schebler in a batting pose, and I think the bobblehead is an excellent way to cap off the 2018 Reds bobblehead season.

Those were all the bobbleheads I added to my collection by attending Cincinnati Reds games. Captain America was a special ticket package bobble and Scooter, Rosie, and Schebler were standard stadium giveaways. The Reds also distributed bobbleheads of Eugenio Suaerz and Tucker Barnhart as well as a variety of other special ticket package bobbles. I did not obtain those as I already have bobbleheads of Barnhart and Suarez and the other ticket package bobbleheads did not appeal to me that much. Overall, the 2018 lineup of Reds bobbleheads was a solid one, and the bobbles I picked up for my collection have made for great additions.

WWE TLC 2018 Thoughts

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on WWE TLC 2018. 

A Brilliant Heel Turn

Without question, the October 22 episode of Monday Night Raw was one of the most emotional episodes that WWE has ever produced. Roman Reigns revealed he is battling leukemia and had to relinquish the Universal Championship. It was a very real segment that separated Joseph Anoa’i the man from Roman Reigns the character. I wish nothing but the best for Reigns and hope he is able to beat the cancer. The emotional announcement was capped off by an embrace from his Shield brothers Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins and a Hounds of Justice triple fist bump at the top of entrance ramp. 

After the announcement, it appeared that the Ambrose heel turn that has been hinted at for weeks was put on hold. He and Rollins were set to challenge Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler for the Raw Tag Team Championships later in the main event, and the two members of the Shield cut a promo before their match that pretty much stated they were fighting for Reigns. The match itself was very entertaining and worthy of being in the main event. In the end, Ambrose and Rollins emerged victorious and came away with the tag title belts. It seemed like a night that began with heart wrenching news would end on a brighter note. That was not the case.

The emotional victory celebration was cut short as Ambrose hit Rollins with a Dirty Deeds much to the shock of those in attendance as well as the world-wide audience watching on television. The beating continued. Ambrose unloaded a storm of punches on Rollins before tossing him out of the ring. The assault continued at ringside before a cranium cracking Dirty Deeds to Rollins on the exposed arena floor left the Lunatic Fringe satisfied with the damage he had done to his co-tag team champion. Boos and A$$hole chants were reverberating off the walls as Ambrose tore off his Shield vest and exited the arena through the crowd. 

In my opinion, it was one of the most brilliant heel turns WWE has ever had. The emotion was real throughout the night and to see Ambrose destroy what would have been a feel-good moment to close a show that had a somber beginning generated a massive amount of very real heat. It was the heel turn everybody saw coming at the moment nobody expected to see it, and that is why it will be remembered as one of the best in professional wrestling.

Redsfest 2018 Day 2

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone vlogs about day 2 of Redsfest 2018.

Too Much of a Good Thing

I love watching professional wrestling, mainly World Wrestling Entertainment. Ever since I was a kid I have been hooked on the battles that take place inside the squared circle. As a kid, pay-per-views were one of the main reasons to come back each week to see what unfolded on Raw and SmackDown. The events of those weekly television shows crafted the stories that culminated at pay-per-views. In today’s WWE, I feel like that is missing because there are so many pay-per-view events held throughout the year.

As I type this, Super Show-Down is set to broadcast live from Australia at 5 AM eastern time on October 6. After that is Evolution, the all women pay-per-view, on October 28. Following Evolution is Crown Jewel on November 2 and Survivor Series on November 18. That is four WWE pay-per-views in two months, essentially one every two weeks. In my opinion, you can’t build up a story effectively in such a short span. For the men, it is not as a big of a deal as they won’t be featured again on pay-per-view until Crown Jewel. It is more problematic for the women as they will be featured on all four pay-per-views.

Due to this packed schedule, the buildup for the matches will be rushed. Stories will have less meaning. Character arcs will be less developed. Twists might not have as big an impact. It is also annoying to see WWE promote multiple pay-per-view events at the same.

 In my opinion, less is more. I think WWE should go back to one pay-per-view a month to allow the storylines to progress naturally without feeling rushed. The road to WrestleMania usually features one pay-per-view a month, and that is generally seen as the time of year when WWE produces its best programming. Wrestling fans love pay-per-views, but having so many throughout the year is too much of a good thing.

Redsfest 2018 Day 1

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone vlogs about day 1 of Redsfest 2018.

Ready for Redsfest 2018

It's the most wonderful time of the offseason for members of Reds Country! Redsfest 2018 will happen this weekend at the Duke Energy Center. Cincinnati Reds fans from all over the country will gather for the one of a kind fan fest that celebrates the very first franchise in Major League Baseball history. 

The fun gets started on Friday, November 30, and will continue through Saturday, December 1. Fans can buy passes for either one day or both. In order to get the full Redsfest experience, I recommend purchasing the two day pass. If you are a Reds Hall of Fame and Museum member or a season ticket holder, your two day ticket pass is free. 

Once you check in at Redsfest, you will receive a Reds lanyard to hold your ticket as well as a free Reds swag bag with a free gift inside. Past gifts have included a winter hat, socks, and an ornament. After you check in, you can finally enter the convention center and behold the glory of the Redsfest event. 

Inside are tons of Reds memorabilia such as jerseys, autographs, bobbleheads, and even the World Series Championship trophies. There is a stage area where you can watch Reds Family Feud, ask the players questions, and get your picture taken with the mascots. There is a game area, wiffle ball fields, and booths where you can get your picture taken with players. You can play Redsfest Bingo and participate in the Reds Community Fund Poker Tournament that features current and former Reds players. 

It wouldn't be a fan fest without autographs, and the signing sessions are my favorite part of Redsfest. You can get autographs from current players and Reds legends. There are multiple signings happening at the same time throughout the event so you are pretty much guaranteed to get at least one autograph during your time at Redsfest. 

I cannot wait for Redsfest 2018. I have a free two day ticket because of my Reds Hall of Fame membership, and I plan on being there from open to close on both days. I'm hoping to get a lot of autographs and maybe a few bobbleheads if I can find some good deals. If you see me, come say hi!

Reds Threads Vlog

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone vlogs about the Reds Threads exhibit at the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. 

2019 Cincinnati Reds Bobblehead Predictions

With the 2018 Cincinnati Reds bobblehead season officially over, it’s time to look ahead and try to predict what the Redlegs will give to fans next season. 2019 will be a monumental season for the Reds as the franchise will celebrate its 150^thanniversary. There are a multitude of players that the Reds could feature as bobbleheads as there are still plenty of greats who have not been featured as a bobblehead. For the sake of this post, we will assume the Reds are going to feature bobbleheads of players from the current roster. Here are my predictions of Cincinnati Reds bobbleheads that will be given out during the 2019 season.

My first prediction is Jose Peraza. The Reds starting shortstop really stepped up his game this year both defensively and at the plate. He became one of the team’s best hitters and his speed on the base path is only second to Billy Hamilton’s. Based on his breakthrough 2018, I think the Reds will feature Peraza as a bobblehead in 2019.

My second bobblehead prediction for 2019 is Michael Lorenzen. Aside from being a reliable reliever out of the bullpen, he proved to be the most versatile player on the team. Not only did he pitch well, but he also filled in as outfielder, pinch runner, and was a home run slugger by hitting a few homers in 2018 including a grand slam. If the Reds do make Lorenzen a bobblehead, hopefully it incorporates his pitching with his ability to hit dingers.

Third on my prediction list is Jesse Winker. The Reds outfielder was making great progress during his first full season in the big leagues before an injury shortened his season. He was sporting a batting average of .299 with 43 runs batted in and 7 homers. 

The fourth bobblehead prediction I have for 2019 is Curt Casali. The Reds catcher may have backed up Tucker Barnhart behind the dish, but he was a force to be reckoned with when he stepped up to bat. At the time that this post was written, Casali had a batting average of .333. He was routinely used by Jim Riggleman to hit in key situations and really made a name for himself with the Redlegs in 2018. 

My fifth and final 2019 Reds bobblehead prediction is Amir Garrett. Even though the Reds relief pitcher struggled a bit during the 2018 season, Garrett was still one of the more popular players on the team. Known for his intensity when pitching as well as carving his initials onto the mound with his foot, Garrett would make for a pretty cool bobblehead for Reds fans in 2019.

Those are my five Cincinnati Reds bobblehead predictions for 2019. All are of players who have previously not been featured as bobbles. As I noted earlier in this post, it is the Reds 150^thanniversary next season so I would not be shocked if the team gave out bobbleheads of players from the past to celebrate the century and a half milestone. Personally, I do not care if the bobbleheads are of current or past players. All I hope for is that the bobbleheads the Reds actually give out in 2019 are of players who have not yet been immortalized as bobbles.

Survivor Series 2018 Thoughts

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on WWE Survivor Series 2018.

2019 Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Bobblehead Predictions

The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum's bobblehead season has officially come to a close. 2018 was a good year for Reds Hall of Fame bobbles as new players such as Ernie Lombardi, Johnny Vanderbilt Meer, and Chuck Harmon were featured as bobbleheads. With 2019 being the 150th anniversary of the Cincinnati Reds and the 100th anniversary of the franchise's first ever World Series Championship, the Reds Hall of Fame has a plethora of legends to feature as bobbleheads. So who will the Reds Hall of Fame feature as bobbleheads in 2019? Here are my predictions.

My first prediction is Ted Kluszewski. "Big Klu is one of the most popular Reds players in history, and I am shocked that that he has not been featured as a bobblehead yet. Known for cutting the sleeves of his uniform because they were too tight around his massive arms, Kluszewski belted 279 homers and drove in 1,028 runs. He also helped lead the Big Red Machine to back to back World Series Championships as the team's hitting coach. I could go on and on about Klu's career and why he deserves to be immortalized as a bobblehead.

My second Reds Hall of Fame bobblehead prediction is Lou Piniella. Known as "Sweet Lou" to members of Reds Country, Piniella is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most popular managers in Redlegs history, arguably only second to Sparky Anderson. He took over as Reds skipper in 1990 and led the team to a wire to wire season that was capped off with an improbable sweep of the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. Combine that World Series Championship with his fiery attitude and it is easy to see why the former first base throwing Reds manager would make for an excellent bobblehead.

Third on my list of predictions is Edd Roush. Not only was he a key member of the 1919 World Series Championship Reds team, but he is also in both the Reds Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. During his first stint with the Redlegs, Roush never batted below .321 and won the National League batting title twice. He played with the team from 1916-1926 before coming back and retiring as a Red in 1931. In my opinion, Roush is a perfect choice that celebrates the franchise's 150th anniversary as well as the 100th of the team's first ever World Series title.

I predict that Fred Hutchinson will be featured as a bobblehead. "Hutch" became one of the most respected managers in Reds history and led the 1961 team to a National League Championship. Under his guidance, players such as Vada Pinson, Pete Rose, Leo Cardenas, Jim O'Toole, and Frank Robinson among others flourished and etched their names into Redlegs history. He is a member of the Reds Hall of Fame and his number, 1, has been retired by the team.

My fifth and final Reds Hall of Fame bobblehead prediction is Don Gullett. He was a key member of the Big Red Machine's pitching staff and helped the team reach the World Series in 1970 and in 1972 and helped them win back to back World Series Championships in 1975 and in 1976. During his nine year career, Gullett had a 3.11 ERA and totaled 921 strikeouts and 109 wins. He is a fan favorite and is an obvious choice to be featured as a Reds Hall of Fame bobblehead.

Those are my 2019 bobblehead predictions for the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. I believe that these legends represent various generations of the Reds and will help the Reds Hall of Fame celebrate the 150th anniversary of the team. I cannot wait to see who the Reds Hall of Fame will feature as bobbles for 2019 and am excited to add some new bobbleheads of Reds legends to my collection.

Blue the Indianapolis Colts Mascot Bobblehead Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes an Indianapolis Colts bobblehead of Blue.

Soccer Stadium Sneak Peak

One of the requirements that FC Cincinnati needed to meet before the team was welcomed into Major League Soccer was a soccer specific stadium. Everybody in the Queen City knows about the months long drama that unfolded as the team, the city, and Cincinnati Public Schools battled for months on a deal that benefitted all parties involved. Needless to say, a deal was reached and FCC became the newest MLS expansion team earlier this summer. The stadium appears to have been worth all the debate as the franchise unveiled initial design concepts that have left many soccer fans and reporters speechless.

The early designs for the stadium are gorgeous in my opinion and should the designs come to fruition, the fan experience for an FCC match should be one of the best in MLS. The seating capacity is estimated to be between 25,500 to 26,500 which is an increase from the original concept that the team unveiled earlier this year. The amount of seats would also make the stadium one of the largest soccer venues in the country. Part of the expanded seating options is the larger Bailey section which is expected to be double the size of the current Bailey section in Nippert Stadium.

Perhaps the most prominent feature of the stadium’s early design is the canopy roof. The canopy will go around the entire bowl and cover all seats. It will also serve as a way to help keep noise levels down in the surrounding West End neighborhoods while also increasing the volume inside the stadium to keep the pitch rocking. The canopy is also is also made of ethylene tetrafluoro-ethylene (ETFE) foil technology. This is cool feature as it allows for a variety of colors and patterns to be displayed on the canopy’s surface. It has been reported that the design stage will continue into 2019 with a target stadium opening date of March 2021. 

I am a fan of the stadium design and cannot wait to see the finished product when it opens in 2021. The fan experience at Nippert Stadium is phenomenal, and I think it will be even better in the new stadium. For now at least, it appears that the stadium will be worth the drama. The early designs are gorgeous, and the stadium should make an excellent home for Cincinnati’s newest major league team. 

Who Dey Bobblehead Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a bobblehead of Who Dey, the Cincinnati Bengals mascot.

Bengal Shows 2018

With the 2018 NFL season officially underway, the opportunities for fans of the Cincinnati Bengals to get autographs are popping up each and every week in the form of Bengal shows. Bengal shows are shows where fans can get autographs from Cincinnati Bengals players, and I have attended at least one show a week in hopes of snagging a signature for my Bengals autograph collection. In this post, I will discuss the two Bengal shows that take place each week.

The first show of the week is “Benagls Line.” It is held at the Holy Grail on the banks in Cincinnati the day after Bengals games and can be heard on ESPN 1530. The show features radio personality Lance McAllister and former Bengals player Dave Lapham as the hosts and goes from 6 pm to 9 pm. The show has undergone a format change as now only one guest player is feature as opposed to two players like previous years. McAllister and Lapham will discuss the game from 6 pm to 7 pm and the player is interviewed from 7 pm to 8 pm with the final hour being mainly more discussion between McAllister and Lapham. Players sign autographs during commercials and there are raffles throughout the night with the prizes ranging from Bengals apparel to Bengals tickets.

The other Bengals show that takes place during the week is “Bengals Pep Rally.” This is another radio show and is hosted by Dan Hoard and Dave Lapham. This show takes place on Fridays throughout the season from various Buffalo Wings and Rings restaurants throughout the greater Cincinnati area. It goes from 3 pm to 6 pm and a player will join Hoard and Lapham during the 5 pm hour. Like Bengals Line, the guest player signs autographs during commercials and prizes are raffled off throughout the show.

Those are the only two Bengals shows that I am aware of that are happening throughout the 2018 NFL season. This is less than previous years as Beyond the Stripes and Bengals Nation are no longer filmed in bars and have been moved to studios. Also, the format change of Bengals Line means 16 players instead of 32 will be available for autographs. The lack of shows this year combined with my training camp absence means that my series of “Bengal Graphs” videos will be cancelled for the 2018 season. I have decided to save my autograph football for next season and head to the Holy Grail for Bengals Line only when the guest player is somebody who is missing from my autographed Bengals banner. 

Who Dey!

Joe Morgan Replica Statue Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds Joe Morgan replica statue. 

And Then There Was One

After a season with two skippers and weeks of speculation following interviews with 12 candidates, the Cincinnati Reds have named David Bell as the club’s 63^rdmanager. The Redlegs signed Bell to a three-year contract that will run through the 2021 season and includes a club option for 2022. As I write this, he is scheduled to be formerly introduced as the team’s next manager on Monday at 11 a.m. 

Bell was named as one of three finalists for the position along Joe Girardi and Brad Ausmus. Girardi was the favorite to secure the job before he withdrew his name on Friday. Bell grew up in the Queen City as his grandfather Gus and his father Buddy both played for the Reds with Buddy currently serving as a senior adviser for the team. David played baseball for Moeller High School, the same school that featured future Reds players and hall of famers Barry Larkin and Ken Griffey Jr., and played in the big leagues for 12 years as a second and third baseman. 

The Redlegs hired a manager in Bell who brings with him experience in developing and coaching players. Aside from serving as the San Francisco Giants’ vice president of player development for the 2018 season, Bell was also a manager in the Reds’ farm system from 2009-11 at the Double-A level with the Carolina Mudcats and at the Triple-A level with the Lousiville Bats in 2012. He was also the third base coach for the Chicago Cubs in 2013 and was the St. Louis Cardinals’ bench coach from 2014-17. Bell will attempt to reverse the fortunes of a Redlegs team that has not reached the playoffs since 2013 and has had more than 90 losses in each of the last four seasons.

I am excited to see what David Bell can do as the new manager of the Reds. The last four seasons have been tough to bear for Reds Country as the team continuously finished in the basement of the National League Central. Hopefully his combination of managerial experience and player development will enable the Reds to rise from the ashes and compete with the best in Major League Baseball once again.

Go Redlegs!

Ken Anderson and Anthony Munoz Double Bobblehead Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Florence Freedom SGA double bobblehead of Ken Anderson and Anthony Munoz. 

Sunday Night Lights

The National Football League flexed its muscle last Tuesday. Literally. The league flexed the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs game from a 1:00 p.m. kickoff to an 8:20 p.m. primetime game that will be broadcasted nationally on NBC.

As I type, this the Bengals are currently preparing for a big game on Sunday against their arch nemesis of the AFC north, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chiefs’ offense owned the Steeler defense when those two teams met earlier in the season. The Bengals defense has been spotty through five games. They looked weak against the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons but were able to force key turnovers against the Indianapolis Colts, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Miami Dolphins. The defense will unquestionably need to play one of its best games of the season in Kansas City.

The Chiefs have been arguably the best team in the NFL and are led by their dynamic quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, who has been nothing short of incredible. He commands a high-powered offense that is sure to be a huge test for the Bengals. That being said, the Bengals’ offense has been just as exciting to watch as the Chiefs’ offense in my opinion. Andy Dalton has been solid, A.J. Green is still A.J. Green, Joe Mixon is building upon his good rookie campaign, and Tyler Boyd has emerged as the breakout start of the offense and clear number two receiver behind Green. With two high-octane offenses slugging it out at Arrowhead Stadium, the game should be a fun one to watch.

There is the dubious characteristic of the Bengals wilting in primetime games, however, and that has been a big topic of conversation ahead of the team’s Sunday night showdown with the Chiefs. To me though, this team feels different. They have been resilient, they have made key plays when needed, and most importantly, they have found ways to win. I am excited for the Sunday night game. It is an opportunity for my beloved Bengals to make a big statement on a national stage. I have been chugging the orange Kool-Aid since training camp, and maybe a lot more people will join me following Sunday’s game.

Who Dey!

FC Cincinnati USL Regular Season Championship Shirt Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes an FC Cincinnati USL Regular Season Championship shirt and a Cincinnati Royals pennant. 

Starrcade in Cincinnati

Starrcade is back and coming to Cincinnati! World Championship Wrestling’s flagship pay-per-view which was revived by World Wrestling Entertainment last year is coming to the Queen City, and the card looks stacked.

At the time that this post was written, five matches have been advertised. AJ Styles and Samoa Joe will clash inside a steel cage for the WWE Championship. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are also scheduled to battle inside the cage with the SmackDown Women’s Championship on the line. The United States Championship will be up for grabs as Shinsuke Nakamura will take on Rusev, and the Bar and the New Day are scheduled to face off for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.  The Starrcade main event is a Cincinnati Street Fight that will pit the team of Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, and Drew McIntyre against the Shield. Also scheduled for the event is a special Elias concert that will feature “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

The Starrcade 2018 card is looking great, and the matches that have been announced are all worthy of Wrestlemania. Personally, I am looking forward to the Cincinnati Street Fight that will feature Cincinnati’s own Dean Ambrose in action. That match alone is why all wrestling fans in Cincinnati should try to attend the event. Tickets for Starrcade 2018 can be purchased through the US Bank Arena website.

Reds Recap 2018

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone recaps the 2018 season of the Cincinnati Reds. 

Bengals on the Ballot

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2019 selection process is currently underway. Fans have a unique opportunity to help select who gets inducted from the list of 102 Modern-Era nominees by voting for who they think deserves a gold hall of fame jacket. Once the votes are tallied, the list will be reduced to 25 semi-finalists in November before being reduced again to 15 finalists who will be revealed in January.  

My beloved Cincinnati Bengals have a few former players on the list. Willie Anderson, one of the best offensive lineman to have worn the black and orange stripes is on the ballot as is former linebacker Takeo Spikes who stood head and shoulders above the other defensive players on the team during his time with the Bengals in the late 90s and early 2000s. Former offensive tackle Richmond Webb, who spent most of his career with the Miami Dolphins but did play two seasons with the the Bengals, is also on the list. Local product Shaun Alexander is also up for nomination. Despite being known for his dominant run game with the Seattle Seahawks, Alexander had a cup of coffee with the Bengals but ultimately could not come to terms on a final contract with the franchise although I do have a football card of Alexander in a Bengals uniform.

Another former Bengal on the ballot is running back Corey Dillon. During the dark ages of the franchise in the 90s, Dillon was able to put crazy numbers and run roughshod over opposing defenses. He is arguably the greatest running back in franchise history and is deserving of a spot in the hall of fame. The last player on the list of nominees is Chad Johnson. Ochocinco was one of the greatest if not the best wide receiver in the history of the Bengals. His numbers are jaw dropping, and he was the first true superstar the team had since the 1980s. Johnson was my favorite player as a kid because he played a huge part in turning the franchise around, and he made being a Bengals fan fun again. In my opinion, he has definitely earned a gold jacket. 

As you can see, the Bengals are well represented on the Modern-Era ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Out of the players listed, I think Alexander, Dillon, and Johnson have the best chances of being inducted. Make you sure visit the NFL website and vote for these former Bengals players!

Who Dey!

Scott Schebler Bobblehead Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds Scott Schebler bobblehead.

FCC Playoff Pricing and Seating

With FC Cincinnati having secured at least a two seed in the United Soccer League Cup Playoffs, the team has announced times and ticketing information for their first two playoff matches should FCC advance past round 1. Tickets will be made available in increments with priority going to current season ticket holders, followed by 2019 season ticket deposit holders, and finally the general public. 

Starting Monday, September 24 at 9 a.m., current 2018 USL season ticket holders will have first dibs at obtaining playoff tickets. This season ticket holder exclusive purchasing window will be four days long. Starting Friday, September 28 at 9 a.m., 2019 season ticket deposit holders will have the next crack at purchasing tickets. The remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, October 1 at 10 a.m. 

For those wondering how much tickets will cost, FC Cincinnati has answered that question as well. For the first round, and if necessary the second, tickets prices will remain the same as they have all season meaning you can purchase a ticket for as low as $10. Should FCC make it to the Eastern Conference Finals and the USL Cup Finals and if those matches are played at Nippert Stadium, ticket prices as well as the seating map will mirror that of the 2019 Major League Soccer season. 

At the time that this post was written, FC Cincinnati is currently in first place in the USL East and is close to clinching the overall number one seed in the playoffs. Should they do that, then the road to the USL Cup will go through Nippert Stadium. There has never been a more exciting time to be an FCC fan. Hopefully the team can cap their final USL season with a USL Cup Championship before they begin MLS play in 2019.

Felipe Lopez Bobblehead Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds 2006 SGA bobblehead of Felipe Lopez. 

The Sweet Spot

I love summer. The weather is warm, skies are usually sunny, and sports are constantly on my television. The Cincinnati Reds and FC Cincinnati have been playing since spring and are in the midst of their 2018 campaigns while the Cincinnati Bengals are getting set to start their season. This is the only time of year in which all three of Cincinnati’s major league professional sports teams (yes, I included FC Cincinnati in this category as they will be in Major League Soccer starting in 2019) are playing at the same time. I refer to this time of the year as the sweet spot. It is during the sweet spot that you are almost guaranteed a sporting event from either of these three teams every day. 

Despite the Major League Baseball season winding down for the Redlegs, they still have a chance to play spoiler for potential playoff teams. They also seemingly play six days out of the week so you can watch their games with ease. For FCC, they generally play on weekends although they will occasionally have a midweek match. They currently sit atop the United Soccer League Eastern Conference standings and are also in the midst of their transition to MLS. It is a very exciting time to watch the orange and blue take the pitch. Lastly, the Bengals have finally stepped foot on the gridiron. The preseason just wrapped up and the regular season is in full swing as the Bengals begin their march to a Super Bowl Championship. The Bengals play mostly on Sundays with the occasional Monday night and Thursday night game sprinkled into the mix.

As you can see, it is a great time to be a Cincinnati sports fan. The Redlegs are on the diamond, FCC is on the pitch, and the Bengals are on the gridiron. You are guaranteed a Cincinnati sporting event almost every day courtesy of the Queen City’s three major league teams. I’ll be watching as much as a can and enjoying every second of Cincinnati’s summer sports sweet spot.

Hell in a Cell 2018 Thoughts

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on WWE Hell in a Cell 2018.

Tom Browning on a Building Bobblehead Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Tom Browning on a Building bobblehead. 

Playoff Bound!

FC Cincinnati could not have asked for a better start to the month of September. Not only did they win a thriller against United Soccer League rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, but they also were the first team to punch their ticket to the USL Cup playoffs. The win also helped cushion their lead in the USL East standings. At the time that this post was written, FCC has a 13-point lead over second place Louisville City FC and a 14-point lead over the Riverhounds who sit in third. The September 1 victory was big for the club, but it did not come easy.

The first half featured unusually sloppy play from FCC as the offense had trouble getting anything going, and the Riverhounds took advantage. They fired off numerous shots but the defense, mainly goalkeeper Spencer Richey, was able to repel the Riverhounds' offensive attack. For FCC, Emanuel Ledesma's soft tapper was inches away from finding the back of net until a Riverhounds defender cleared the shot. Not to be outdone, Richey came up big and had some key saves that kept the sides even at 0-0 when the first half ended. 

While defense reigned supreme in the first half, the second featured both teams' offenses finally breaking through. Despite sailing a penalty kick over the head of Richey early in the second half, the Riverhounds still managed to strike first when a shot got by Richey in the 57th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The score remained that way for a majority of the second half, and it looked like FCC's unbeaten streak was about to be broken. It wouldn't be until the final 10 minutes of regulation when FCC finally broke through the stingy Riverhounds defense. 

Dekel Keinan headed in a free kick from Ledesma in the 80th minute to knot things up at 1-1 sending the crowd that packed Nippert Stadium into a frenzy. Eight minutes later, Fanendo Adi, the club's first player guaranteed a spot on next season's Major League Soccer roster, fought through two Riverhounds defenders and scored from just inside the 18 to give FCC a 2-1 lead. Nipper Stadium erupted as Adi ran toward Coach Alan Koch for a celebratory embrace that became an entire team group hug. The defense held during the final two minutes and through four minutes of stoppage time to give FCC a dramatic 2-1 win over the Riverhounds as well as a spot in the playoffs.

I was in attendance for the match, and I can honestly say it was one of the best sporting events I have ever witnessed in person. In terms of drama and thrilling action, it ranks right up there with the three 2017 Open Cup matches against MLS teams that emanated from Nippert Stadium. The win was a big one as it helped cushion FCC's lead in the standings. In terms of playoffs, it is the third consecutive year that the three-year-old franchise has qualified for postseason play. As exciting as a match that it was, FCC has to put it in the rear-view mirror as they have a tough road matchup against Louisville City this weekend. Hopefully they notch another win and continue to build momentum toward the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals 2018 Season Outlook

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone previews the 2018 season of the Cincinnati Bengals. Please note that this was filmed a few weeks before the start of the regular season. Anything said in this video might have changed by the first game.

Honoring a Legend

When thinking about the Cincinnati Reds, it is impossible to ignore the rich history of Major League Baseball’s first professional franchise. Many legendary players and coaches have etched their names into Reds lore, but few have had the impact on Reds Country or the game of baseball like Joe Morgan had during his time as a member of the Redlegs. His accomplishments with the team include All-Star game appearances, National League Most Valuable Player awards, and two World Series Championships just to name a few. He is also a member of the Reds Hall of Fame as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame. To honor Morgan as one of the greatest players in the history of the Reds, the team unveiled a statue of him outside Great American Ball Park in 2013. Almost five years to the day that his statue was unveiled, Reds fans will have the opportunity to obtain a mini version of Joe Morgan’s statue for themselves.

On Saturday, September 8, the Cincinnati Reds will host the San Francisco Giants for a 4:10 PM game. The first 20,000 fans through the gates will receive a replica Joe Morgan statue to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the statue dedication. The real statue is gorgeous and does an excellent job of celebrating the best Reds second baseman in franchise history. I’m sure the replica version will be no different.

I cannot wait for this game. I am big Joe Morgan fan. He is my dad’s favorite player and is the reason I picked number 8 for my jersey during my little league days. The game itself is also part of a huge sports weekend for Cincinnati’s three big league teams. FC Cincinnati will play rival Louisville City FC later that night, and the Cincinnati Bengals will start their 2018 NFL season the next day against the Indianapolis Colts. Needless to say, it will be a big weekend for Cincinnati sports and a great weekend for Cincinnati Reds fans.

Austin Kearns Bobblehead Unboxing

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone unboxes a 2003 Cincinnati Reds SGA bobblehead of Austin Kearns.

The Hounds Are Back

The Monday Night Raw after SummerSlam 2018 was one of the best episodes of Raw in recent memory. The show kicked off with a bang when Finn Balor accepted Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship challenge and the momentum seemingly carried throughout the show. Ronda Rousey nearly ripped out Stephanie McMahon’s arm, Elias avoided ending Curt Hawkins’ losing streak, and Dean Ambrose had his first match back from injury in a very entertaining bout against Dolph Ziggler. All were great moments, but all paled in comparison to the return of one of wrestling’s most dominant factions: the Shield.

After a thrilling main event that saw Reigns successfully defend his title against Finn Balor, the stage appeared to be set for Braun Strowman to cash in his Money in the Bank contract. He delivered a big boot to the Universal Champ, handed his briefcase to the referee, and the ring announcer proclaimed that “Monster Among Men” was cashing in for a Universal Title shot. Before the bell could ring, a familiar tune echoed throughout the Barclay’s Center. The crowd erupted when Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins stormed down to the ring in their traditional black gear as the Shield theme music played over the speakers. 

Reigns stood up in the ring as Ambrose and Rollins climbed onto the apron. Strowman looked around at the Hounds of Justice and, despite knowing he was outnumbered, went on the attack. It was a futile attempt as the numbers game proved to be too much for the monster to overcome as the Shield easily handled Strowman and capped off their reunion by triple powerbombing him through the announce table. It was a fantastic ending to what had been a great episode of Monday Night Raw. 

So is the Shield heel? That remains to be seen. While Strowman is one of the biggest faces on the roster, so is the Shield. WWE could be setting up for a face versus face rivalry, but imagine how much more fun it would be to see a heel Shield run roughshod over WWE similar to what they did when they burst on the scene nearly six year ago. Only time will tell if the Shield is face or heel, but there is one thing that we do know and that is to always believe in the Shield.

The Gridiron Meets the Diamond

Do you love baseball? Do you love football? Do you love bobbleheads? If you are like me, then you said yes to all three of these questions. Luckily for us baseball, football, and bobblehead fans, the Florence Freedom baseball team of the Frontier League has come up with an ingenious idea that will satisfy everybody who loves both sports and bobbleheads.

On Friday, August 24, the Florence Freedom will host “Are You Ready for Some Football Night” when they take on the Gateway Grizzlies at 7:05 PM. The Freedom will be giving away a double bobblehead of Cincinnati Bengals legends Ken Anderson and Anthony Munoz. This is sure to be a sought-after bobblehead so you better pick up your tickets fast. In order to get the bobblehead, fans must buy two tickets meaning if you go with a significant other or a friend, only one of you will get the bobblehead. Aside from the bobblehead giveaway, the game will also feature a postgame fireworks show.

I am very excited for this game and bought my tickets a few weeks ago. I love baseball, football, and bobbleheads so going to this game is a must for me. I believe this is the first time that Anthony Munoz has been featured as a bobblehead. He is a pro football hall of famer, and this is a bobblehead that all members of Who Dey Nation need in their collection. Tickets are available for purchase on the Florence Freedom website.

Who Dey and go Freedom!

SummerSlam 2018 Thoughts

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shares his thoughts on WWE SummerSlam 2018.

Tom Seaver Bobblehead Review

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone reviews a 2004 Columbus Clippers SGA Cincinnati Reds Tom Seaver bobblehead. 

Boos for Braun?

There are a few certainties in life. Death, taxes, and Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman will always win cleanly no matter the odds. Almost every time I watch WWE programming, both Reigns and Strowman are usually having their hands raised in victory. The only difference between the two is that Reigns is booked to look like an underdog despite his "Big Dog" moniker. Strowman on the other hand is billed as the "Monster Among Men" and is booked like one most of the time. The two have crossed paths before with Reigns playing the hated face and Strowman taking on the role of beloved heel. However, Strowman has since left the dark side of the wrestling world and has been booked to win almost every match he has. Could this cause Strowman's crowd reactions to mimic that of Reigns?

I think it might. Despite being booked as a monster, WWE made Strowman appear as a bit of an underdog at Money in the Bank. Every wrestler in that match teamed together to eliminate Strowman by attempting to bury the monster underneath a pile of ladders. That was not enough to stop him though as he soon emerged from the rubble like Godzilla rising out of the sea and proceeded to destroy everybody in sight in route to winning the Money in the Bank briefcase. There are only a handful of guys I can think of who can overcome odds like that and win: Hulk Hogan, John Cena, and Roman Reigns. All have previously been booked as unstoppable underdogs and all have previously been booed out of the building. If WWE is not careful, Strowman might be grouped in this category.

Let's look at some of Strowman's accomplishments so far this year. At Wrestlemania 34, he easily defeated the Bar with a kid name Nicholas to win the Raw Tag Team Championships. He then won the Greatest Royal Rumble match in Saudi Arabia. He overcame the odds at Money in the Bank, and even though his team lost the next night on Raw, it was Balor, not Strowman, who ate the pin. In terms of professional wrestling, that is an incredible year so far and we are only in the month of June. There are still six months left in 2018 for Strowman to be booked as invincible.

WWE crowds turn on wrestlers they think are overexposed or never lose. While Strowman is not there yet, he's getting awfully close. A lot of people did not like the decision to have Strowman win the Money in the Bank briefcase as they feel like he is already over enough with the crowd. Despite that sentiment, WWE still booked the monster to win and he has already called out Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Everybody thinks Strowman will cash in and finally be the one to defeat the beast. I'm thinking that Reigns and Lesnar clash at SummerSlam with Reigns finally taking the belt from the beast only for Strowman to cash in and take the title from Reigns. This sends the crowd home happy and keeps Strowman on the crowd's good side as he will be feuding with Reigns again. But what about when the Reigns feud is finished? We'll have to wait and see what happens. Hopefully WWE handles Strowman better than they have Reigns so that monster does not feel the wrath of the fans.