History of FC Cincinnati in Timeline

FC Cincinnati is a professional soccer club based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was initially founded as a United Soccer League (USL) franchise, playing in the USL from 2016 to 2018. In 2019, FC Cincinnati joined Major League Soccer (MLS) as an expansion team. Carl Lindner III leads the club's ownership group, with Jeff Berding serving as co-CEO and Chris Albright as general manager. The team competes in the Eastern Conference of MLS.

2013: University rivalry ends

In 2013, the long-standing football and basketball rivalry between Louisville and Cincinnati universities ended due to conference realignment.

August 12, 2015: FC Cincinnati announced as USL franchise

On August 12, 2015, FC Cincinnati was first announced as a United Soccer League (USL) franchise.

February 23, 2016: ESPN 1530 announced as official radio partner

On February 23, 2016, FC Cincinnati announced ESPN 1530 as the official radio partner for the organization. Since 2016, ESPN 1530 has aired all of FCC's regular season home matches.

May 14, 2016: First meeting with Pittsburgh Riverhounds sets attendance record

On May 14, 2016, the first-ever meeting between FC Cincinnati and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds set a then-USL attendance record of 23,375 at Nippert Stadium. Bengals players were honorary captains.

October 2016: Intention to construct training facility announced

In October 2016, FC Cincinnati announced their intention to construct a dedicated training facility.

2016: Cincinnati takes the cup home in Louisville-Cincinnati rivalry

In 2016, Cincinnati took the cup home against Louisville City on aggregate in the Louisville-Cincinnati rivalry.

2016: Friendly match broadcast on Facebook

In 2016, FC Cincinnati broadcast its friendly against Crystal Palace live on Facebook. The broadcast also featured special Facebook Live 360-degree footage.

March 22, 2017: Agreement reached with Sinclair Broadcast Group to televise games

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.

2017: Louisville City takes the cup home in Louisville-Cincinnati rivalry

In 2017, Louisville City took the cup home against Cincinnati on aggregate in the Louisville-Cincinnati rivalry.

2017: "Hell Is Real Derby" rivalry gains popularity

In 2017, the idea of the Ohio soccer rivalry between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew gained popularity ahead of a U.S. Open Cup match and was dubbed the "Hell Is Real Derby."

April 12, 2018: USL partners with ESPN+

A few weeks into their 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: Awarded MLS franchise

On May 29, 2018, FC Cincinnati's ownership was awarded a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise.

June 2018: Land purchased and plans shared for training facility

In June 2018, one month after entering Major League Soccer, FC Cincinnati purchased a 23.6 acres site in Milford, Ohio, and shared plans for their new training facility, designed by MSA Sport.

July 2018: Signed first two 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. Both players were loaned to the FC Cincinnati USL team for the remainder of the 2018 season.

September 19, 2018: Training facility groundbreaking and name sponsor announced

On September 19, 2018, FC Cincinnati held a groundbreaking for their new training facility and announced Mercy Health as the name sponsor.

December 11, 2018: Selected players in 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 then traded to the Colorado Rapids for an international roster spot.

2018: Louisville City retains trophy

Louisville City retained the trophy in 2018 by winning the first two of the teams' three regular-season matches against Cincinnati.

January 30, 2019: Agreement reached with Sinclair Broadcast Group to televise games

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: Began MLS play

On March 2, 2019, FC Cincinnati began play in Major League Soccer (MLS).

March 3, 2019: 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: 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 as head coach

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 as head coach

On August 8, 2019, Ron Jans was officially hired and made head coach of FC Cincinnati.

November 6, 2019: Mercy Health Training Center grand opening

On November 6, 2019, the Mercy Health Training Center held its grand opening. The complex includes a 30,000 sq ft building with facilities, three pitches, and a goalkeepers area.

November 2019: Meg Whitman purchases minority stake in club

In November 2019, Meg Whitman purchased a minority stake in FC Cincinnati and will serve as the club's Alternate Governor on the MLS Board of Governors.

2019: Mascot Introduced

In 2019, FC Cincinnati introduced their mascot, "Gary the Knifey Lion," a winged lion featured on the crests.

2019: Began training at new site

Leading into the 2019 season, FC Cincinnati began training at their new site in February with a temporary building and one turf pitch, and a grass pitch became ready in April.

2019: First league matches in Ohio rivalry

The first league matches between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew took place in 2019, on August 10 in Columbus and August 25 in Cincinnati during MLS Rivalry Week.

February 17, 2020: Ron Jans resigns

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 signed with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

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".

2020: Alex Stec becomes sideline reporter

From 2020, Alex Stec held the position of sideline reporter, continuing the role previously held by Lindsay Patterson.

May 16, 2021: TQL Stadium hosted first match

On May 16, 2021, TQL Stadium hosted its first match, a 2–3 loss 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 duties

On September 27, 2021, FC Cincinnati relieved the duties of head coach Jaap Stam, 2-time interim head coach Yoann Damet, and assistant coach Said Bakkati. Former MLS defender 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 march route

Since FC Cincinnati's move to TQL Stadium in 2021, the march weaves through points of interest, including Findlay Market and breweries/pubs like Northern Row, OTR Stillhouse, Holiday Spirits, The Symphony Hotel, and The Pitch.

2022: Jeff Berding promoted to co-CEO

In 2022, former Cincinnati Bengals executive Jeff Berding, the club's original president and general manager, was promoted to co-CEO of FC Cincinnati.

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 the MLS Supporters' Shield

On September 30, 2023, FC Cincinnati won the MLS Supporters' Shield after beating Toronto FC away 3–2.

November 27, 2023: Lucho Acosta named 2023 MLS Most Valuable Player

On November 27, 2023, Lucho Acosta was named 2023 MLS Most Valuable Player.

December 2, 2023: Lost in Eastern Conference Finals

On December 2, 2023, FCC faced rivals Columbus Crew at TQL stadium in the MLS Eastern Conference Finals, losing in extra-time by a score of 3–2.

2023: International Fan Groups

As of 2023, known international fan groups for FC Cincinnati include Kumasinnati in Kumasi, Ghana, FC Cincy UK Supporters, and FC Cincinnati France.

2023: Matches available on MLS Season Pass from 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.

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2023: FC Cincinnati wins U.S. Open Cup match

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.

October 28, 2024: Defeat NYCFC in MLS Cup Playoffs

On October 28, 2024, FCC would defeat NYCFC 1-0 at TQL stadium in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

January 28, 2026: Strategic partnership agreement with FC Porto

On January 28, 2026, FC Cincinnati announced a strategic partnership agreement with Primeira Liga side FC Porto.

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