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!
