FC Cincinnati
The Orange and Blue: From USL records to MLS Supporters' Shield champions.
FC Cincinnati is an American professional soccer club based in Cincinnati. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team was first announced on August 12, 2015, as a United Soccer League (USL) franchise which played from 2016 to 2018. On May 29, 2018, the club's ownership was awarded an MLS franchise, and the team began MLS play on March 2, 2019. The club's ownership group is led by Carl Lindner III with Jeff Berding serving as co-CEO. Currently, the role of general manager is held by Chris Albright.
Quick Facts
- Character
- Intense MLS Rivalry
- Affiliation
- Eastern Conference; Supporters' Shield contenders
- First meeting context
- Early years of FC Cincinnati's MLS tenure (2019)
- Status
- Active and Escalating
- Key atmosphere
- Electric
- vocal
- and travel-heavy fan support
Lore & Background
FC Cincinnati broke USL attendance records multiple times, including 24,376 on September 17, 2016, and 31,478 on September 29, 2018. The club won the USL regular season championship in 2018. In the 2017 U.S. Open Cup, FC Cincinnati defeated MLS sides Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire, setting attendance records. The club joined MLS in 2019 and won the MLS Supporters' Shield on September 30, 2023, after beating Toronto FC away 3–2.
Reader's Guide
FC Cincinnati plays home matches at TQL Stadium, a 26,000-seat soccer-specific venue in the West End that opened in 2021. The club's first MLS home opener was on March 17, 2019, a 3–0 win over Portland Timbers. Key players in club history include Fanendo Adi (first Designated Player), Luciano Acosta (captain and 2023 Supporters' Shield winner), and Brenner and Brandon Vázquez (joint 18-goal scorers in 2022).
Did You Know?
- FC Cincinnati broke the USL attendance record for a home opener on April 7, 2018, with 25,667 fans.
- The club's first MLS match was a 4–1 road loss to Seattle Sounders FC on March 2, 2019.
- FC Cincinnati set an MLS record with 12 consecutive home wins in 2023, a streak that ended with a loss to New England Revolution on June 21, 2023.
- The club clinched its first playoff berth in 2022, defeating New York Red Bulls 2–1 in the first round.
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