History of FC Cincinnati in Timeline
FC Cincinnati is a professional soccer club in Cincinnati, Ohio, competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) as part of the Eastern Conference. Initially established as a United Soccer League (USL) franchise in 2016, the team transitioned to MLS on March 2, 2019, after being awarded a franchise on May 29, 2018. The club is owned by a group led by Carl Lindner III, with Jeff Berding as co-CEO. Chris Albright currently serves as the general manager.
1998: League First Expansion
FC Cincinnati is the second-fastest active expansion club to win the Supporters' Shield since the league's first expansion in 1998.
2002: Previous Home Win Record
In 2002, the San Jose Earthquakes previously held the MLS record for consecutive home wins in a single season, until it was tied by FC Cincinnati on June 21, 2023.
2013: Rivalry End
In 2013, the University of Cincinnati and University of Louisville's football and basketball rivalry ended due to conference realignment.
May 2015: Rumors of New USL Club in Cincinnati
In May 2015, rumors began circulating in the media about a new United Soccer League (USL) club potentially forming in Cincinnati. Speculation arose regarding possible connections with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Kings.
August 12, 2015: FC Cincinnati Announced
On August 12, 2015, Football Club Cincinnati was announced as a United Soccer League (USL) franchise. The club would begin playing in the USL from 2016 to 2018 before joining the MLS.
February 23, 2016: Official Radio Partner Announcement
On February 23, 2016, FC Cincinnati announced ESPN 1530 as the official radio partner for the organization, airing all regular season home matches since then.
April 16, 2016: Broke USL Attendance Record
On April 16, 2016, FC Cincinnati broke the USL attendance record for a game, with 20,497 in attendance for the rivalry game against Louisville City FC.
May 14, 2016: Match against Pittsburgh Riverhounds
On May 14, 2016, FC Cincinnati played against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Nippert Stadium, setting a then-USL attendance record of 23,375. The match was an "Orange Out" and featured Bengals players.
July 16, 2016: Set Ohio Soccer Match Attendance Record
On July 16, 2016, FC Cincinnati set the record for highest attendance at a soccer match in the state of Ohio when 35,061 people came for an exhibition game against Crystal Palace.
September 17, 2016: Broke USL Attendance Record Again
On September 17, 2016, FC Cincinnati broke the USL attendance record again, drawing 24,376 for their game against Orlando City B.
October 2, 2016: Hosted First Playoff Match
On October 2, 2016, FC Cincinnati hosted their first-ever playoff match against Charleston Battery, losing 2–1 in the quarterfinals of the 2016 USL playoffs. The club broke the playoff and single-game attendance record with 30,187 fans.
December 2016: MLS Commissioner Visited Cincinnati
In December 2016, MLS commissioner Don Garber visited Cincinnati to tour Nippert Stadium and meet with city and club officials, complimenting the city and its fans.
2016: Played Home Matches at Nippert Stadium
From 2016, FC Cincinnati played home matches at Nippert Stadium on the campus of the University of Cincinnati.
2016: Facebook Live Broadcast
In 2016, FC Cincinnati broadcast its friendly against Crystal Palace live on Facebook, featuring special Facebook Live 360-degree footage.
2016: Teams Go 1-1-1 Against Each Other
In 2016, FC Cincinnati took home the cup from Louisville City after both teams went 1-1-1 against each other.
2016: USL Franchise Began Playing
In 2016, Football Club Cincinnati began playing as a United Soccer League (USL) franchise.
January 2017: FC Cincinnati Submitted Expansion Bid
In January 2017, FC Cincinnati formally submitted its expansion bid to Major League Soccer (MLS), including a shortlist of potential stadium locations.
March 22, 2017: Agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group
On March 22, 2017, FC Cincinnati reached an agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group to have WKRC-TV, WSTR-TV and CinCW 12.2 televise all home and away games, including playoff games.
June 14, 2017: First Match Against MLS Team
On June 14, 2017, FC Cincinnati played their first match against a Major League Soccer team, Columbus Crew, during the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Cincinnati won 1–0, with Baye Djiby Fall scoring the only goal. The attendance record for the U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round was broken with 30,160 tickets sold.
June 28, 2017: Defeated Chicago Fire in U.S. Open Cup
On June 28, 2017, FC Cincinnati played their second match against a Major League Soccer team, Chicago Fire, in the Round of 16 during the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Cincinnati won 3–1 on penalty kicks after a 0–0 draw. Goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt stopped three of four penalty kicks, totaling 10 saves. The attendance of 32,287 was the second largest Modern Era crowd in U.S. Open Cup history. The match was televised nationally on ESPN.
August 5, 2017: Broke USL Attendance Record Once Again
On August 5, 2017, FC Cincinnati broke its own USL attendance record once again, drawing 25,308 for their game against Orlando City B.
August 15, 2017: Lost to New York Red Bulls in US Open Cup Semi-Final
On August 15, 2017, FC Cincinnati were defeated at home in front of a sold-out crowd by the New York Red Bulls 3–2 in the US Open Cup semi-final. FCC was leading 2–0 in the second half before eventually losing in extra time.
2017: Teams Go 1-1-1 Against Each Other
In 2017, Louisville City took home the cup from FC Cincinnati after both teams went 1-1-1 against each other.
2017: Ohio Soccer Rivalry Popularity
In 2017, ahead of a U.S. Open Cup match between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew, the idea of the Ohio soccer rivalry gained popularity. The rivalry was named the "Hell Is Real Derby."
April 7, 2018: USL Attendance Record for Home Opener
On April 7, 2018, FC Cincinnati set the USL attendance record for a home opener at 25,667 in a 1–0 loss to rival Louisville City.
April 12, 2018: USL Agreement with ESPN
A few weeks into FC Cincinnati's third season, on April 12, 2018, the USL reached an agreement with ESPN to make ESPN+ its official live-streaming service. USL matches remained accessible outside of the United States on YouTube.
May 29, 2018: FC Cincinnati Awarded MLS Franchise
On May 29, 2018, FC Cincinnati's ownership was awarded a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. The team began MLS play on March 2, 2019.
June 26, 2018: Announced Plans to Build Training Complex
On June 26, 2018, FC Cincinnati announced plans to build a training complex in Milford, Ohio.
July 2018: Signed First MLS Players
In July 2018, FC Cincinnati signed its first two MLS players, Fanendo Adi and Fatai Alashe. Adi was the team's first Designated Player.
September 29, 2018: Broke USL Attendance Record and Awarded Championship Title
On September 29, 2018, FC Cincinnati broke the USL attendance record once again in its final regular-season home match before its MLS move, drawing in 31,478 in a 3–0 win over rival Indy Eleven. After the match, they were awarded the USL regular season championship title.
December 11, 2018: Selected Players in MLS Expansion Draft
On December 11, 2018, FC Cincinnati selected five players from certain MLS teams in the expansion draft: Darren Mattocks, Kei Kamara, Roland Lamah, Eric Alexander, and Hassan Ndam. Kei Kamara was later traded to the Colorado Rapids.
2018: Louisville City Retains Trophy
In 2018, Louisville City retained the trophy by winning the first two of the teams' three regular-season matches against FC Cincinnati.
January 30, 2019: Agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group
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.
March 2, 2019: First MLS Game
On March 2, 2019, FC Cincinnati began play in Major League Soccer.
March 3, 2019: Played First MLS Match
On March 3, 2019, FC Cincinnati played their first match as a Major League Soccer franchise, a 4–1 road loss to Seattle Sounders FC.
March 17, 2019: Played First MLS Home Opener
On March 17, 2019, FC Cincinnati played their first MLS home opener, a 3–0 win over Portland Timbers before a sellout crowd of 32,350.
May 7, 2019: Alan Koch Fired
On May 7, 2019, FC Cincinnati fired head coach Alan Koch after a 2–7–2 start to the 2019 MLS season. Assistant coach Yoann Damet was named as interim head coach.
August 8, 2019: Ron Jans Hired
On August 8, 2019, Ron Jans was officially hired and made head coach of FC Cincinnati.
November 2019: Meg Whitman Purchases Stake in Club
In November 2019, Meg Whitman purchased a minority stake in FC Cincinnati and became the club's Alternate Governor on the MLS Board of Governors.
2019: First League Matches
In 2019, FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew played their first league matches on August 10 in Columbus and August 25 in Cincinnati during MLS Rivalry Week.
2019: Mascot Introduction
In 2019, FC Cincinnati introduced its mascot, "Gary the Knifey Lion," a blue-haired, orange-furred winged lion, embodying the team's crest.
2019: Joined MLS
In 2019, FC Cincinnati joined Major League Soccer (MLS) as an expansion team.
2019: LAFC Won Supporters' Shield
LAFC won Supporters' Shield sooner, in their second season, during 2019.
2019: Training Complex Completed
The FC Cincinnati training complex in Milford, Ohio was completed by the end of 2019.
February 17, 2020: Ron Jans Resigned
On February 17, 2020, Ron Jans resigned as head coach of FC Cincinnati amidst an investigation into his alleged use of a racial slur.
September 25, 2020: Partnership Agreement
On September 25, 2020, FC Cincinnati signed a partnership agreement with Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and became part of the "Common Values Club Alliance" with Hoffenheim and Ghanaian Premier League club Hearts of Oak SC.
2020: Sideline Reporter Change
In 2020, Alex Stec replaced Lindsay Patterson as the sideline reporter for FC Cincinnati broadcasts.
2020: Played Home Matches at Nippert Stadium
Through 2020, FC Cincinnati played home matches at Nippert Stadium on the campus of the University of Cincinnati.
May 16, 2021: Inaugural Match at TQL Stadium
On May 16, 2021, FC Cincinnati played its first match at the newly constructed TQL Stadium, losing 2–3 to Inter Miami CF.
August 6, 2021: Gerard Nijkamp Departs
On August 6, 2021, FC Cincinnati announced that the club and then general manager Gerard Nijkamp had "parted ways effective immediately".
September 27, 2021: Jaap Stam Relieved of Coaching Duties
On September 27, 2021, FC Cincinnati relieved head coach Jaap Stam, 2-time interim head coach Yoann Damet, and assistant coach Said Bakkati of their duties. Tyrone Marshall was named interim coach.
October 4, 2021: Chris Albright Hired as General Manager
On October 4, 2021, FC Cincinnati announced the hiring of Chris Albright as the general manager of the club.
December 14, 2021: Pat Noonan Hired as Head Coach
On December 14, 2021, FC Cincinnati officially hired Pat Noonan as the new head coach of the team.
2021: TQL Stadium Set to Open
Plans were underway for the development of TQL Stadium, a 26,000-seat soccer-specific venue in the West End, set to open in 2021.
2021: March Route Changes
Since the move to TQL Stadium in 2021, the FC Cincinnati supporters' march route includes Findlay Market, several breweries and pubs, including Northern Row, OTR Stillhouse, Holiday Spirits, The Symphony Hotel, and The Pitch. It stops at Washington Park before continuing to Cincinnati Music Hall and TQL Stadium.
2022: Jeff Berding promoted to co-CEO
In 2022, Jeff Berding, formerly the club's president and general manager, was promoted to co-CEO of FC Cincinnati.
2022: Qualified for First Post-Season
In 2022, under the first season of the Albright-Noonan regime, FC Cincinnati qualified for their first post-season with 49 points, finishing fifth in the East. Brenner and Brandon Vázquez scored a joint-best 18 goals, and Luciano Acosta contributed 10 goals and 19 assists. Cincinnati defeated New York Red Bulls in their first MLS Cup Playoffs match before losing to Philadelphia Union in the conference semifinals.
June 21, 2023: Tied MLS Record for Consecutive Home Wins
On June 21, 2023, FC Cincinnati's win against Toronto FC tied the MLS record for consecutive home wins in a single season.
September 30, 2023: Won MLS Supporters' Shield
On September 30, 2023, FC Cincinnati won the MLS Supporters' Shield after beating Toronto FC away 3–2. It is the second trophy the club has won and the first in its MLS era.
November 27, 2023: Lucho Acosta Named 2023 MLS Most Valuable Player
On November 27, 2023, Lucho Acosta was named 2023 MLS Most Valuable Player. He became the club's 3rd league MVP and first in the MLS era.
December 2, 2023: Lost in Eastern Conference Finals
On December 2, 2023, FC Cincinnati faced rivals Columbus Crew at TQL stadium in the MLS Eastern Conference Finals, losing in extra-time by a score of 3–2. This was the first "Hell is Real' matchup to take place in the playoffs.
2023: Known International Fan Groups
As of 2023, FC Cincinnati has known international fan groups including Kumasinnati in Kumasi, Ghana, FC Cincy UK Supporters, and FC Cincinnati France.
2023: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
From 2023, all FC Cincinnati matches are available on MLS Season Pass from Apple TV, ending FC Cincinnati's time on local TV. Gelehrter and McCloskey maintained their commentary roles on local radio broadcasts, which are also available through Apple TV during home games.
2023: U.S. Open Cup Win
In 2023, FC Cincinnati won 1-0 against Louisville City in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup at TQL Stadium.
February 22, 2024: First Match in CONCACAF Champions Cup
On February 22, 2024, FC Cincinnati played their first ever match in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a 2–0 away win at Cavalier FC of Jamaica.
2024: Qualified to the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup
On September 23, 2023, FC Cincinnati earned its first qualification to the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
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