FC Cincinnati USL Superthread

Nugget from @SiriusXMFC interview on FCC. 99% renewal rate on Season thx with 700+ deposits (EST. 3 tix per dep.) = 8-9k for next yr already

— Cincy Soccer Talk (@cincysoccertalk) September 29, 2016

Other bit of news is season ticket renewal is going strong with 99% doing so and additional new deposits being made. With months to spare hoping number continues to go up, possibly to even 10,000 base for 2017.

 

Harsh end to the year, but honestly the season went so much better than I anticipated. Curious how the club reacts in off season in terms of roster adjustments. We really need another scoring threat.

 

The attendance FC Cincinnati had today was higher than any MLS attendance this weekend. Very impressive.

 

The craziest thing today was hearing people in around the city talk about the match the way they would an NFL one on a Monday typically. Just casually here at a restaurant or bar or walking around. This may seem like "so what?" to people outside the area, but besides recent World Cups I never heard people discuss soccer in any capacity.

I really think we could beat 17,000 average next year if the club just stays focused. From all signs the ownership and front office seem hungry and more investment is to be made so not resting on their success.

 

"We're going to grow more season ticket holders. We're renewing at a 99% per cent renewal rate. We're looking at 8,000 tickets and the off-season is only three days old. I think 10,000 season tickets will be attainable and that will show a sustainability about what we're trying to get done.

"We averaged a 17,000 attendance this year - let's average 20,000 next year. We're going to do better with sponsorships, we're going to do better with broadcasts - this year we put all our home games on TV, next year we're going to look at putting all our games on TV, including road games."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...out-from-crowd-as-they-close-in-onmls-invita/

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Already some positive signs that base is growing and success can beget success. Big thing be watching is player movement as hoping clubs makes a big signing (for USL level I mean) to signal ambition to make a deep playoff run.

 

As someone who lived in Clifton for over a decade it's great to hear. The city went out of its way to bash soccer in the 90s. Curious if that Rome wannabe Mcallister is on board.

 

UC alum here. Strange days, when FC Cincy is the big talk on campus and around town rather than UC or Bengal football!

 

make no mistake, the confidence/aggressiveness of @fccincinnati ownership/front office sets tone for everything they have done and will do.

— LanceMcAlister (@LanceMcAlister) October 5, 2016

We won him over the course of the year to a full convert.

 

FCC had a meet and greet at Moerlein Lager House (a nice place right along the downtown riverfront) so got to meet players and get pictures and talk to John Harkes and Jeff Berding.

Interesting to note they were handing these out and spoke about MLS aspirations.

 

http://www.fccincinnati.com/book

$24.95+S&H

Like this idea of hardcover book to commemorate the first season. Pre-ordered mine, hoping it arrives before kick off of the second season.

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opi...c-cincinnati-fans-you-make-us-proud/92007576/

Letter from Jeff Berding thanking fans for great first year. Only been a few weeks and already looking forward to next season.

 

Great graphic on FCC's 2016 stats. Nice to get firm number of STHs and didn't realize never got a red card this year.

 

Well, there was a red card on the GK on game. But, it got overturned.

Quality though.

 

Oh right, the New York match on Mitch.

 

http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/710651?referrer_id=2687964

Hildebrandt, Delbridge, and Okoli were all named to the USL All-League First Team. So FC Cincinnati had the league's best GK, one of the best center backs, and the Golden Boot winner. What great finds from Harkes and the organization.

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/commen...resident_and_general_manager/?sort=confidence

Reddit Ask Me Anything going on now.

 

Interesting to note that despite additional investments the club still managed to finish in the black for 2016. Very impressive for a first year club given various start up costs. Already stating investing profits right back in for 2017.

 

2016 Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists – Winner announced Monday, Oct. 31
Tomas Gomez, Rochester Rhinos
Devala Gorrick, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Mitch Hildebrandt, FC Cincinnati

2016 Defender of the Year Finalists – Winner announced Tuesday, Nov. 1
Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers
Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls II
Hugh Roberts, Richmond Kickers

2016 Coach of the Year Finalists – Winner announced Wednesday, Nov. 2
Marc Dos Santos, Swope Park Rangers
John Harkes, FC Cincinnati
John Wolyniec, New York Red Bulls II

2016 Rookie of the Year Finalists – Winner announced Thursday, Nov. 3
Brandon Allen, New York Red Bulls II
Alphonso Davies, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Joe Farrell, Rochester Rhinos

2016 Most Valuable Player Finalists – Winner announced Friday, Nov. 4
Brandon Allen, New York Red Bulls II
Enzo Martinez, Charlotte Independence
Sean Okoli, FC Cincinnati

Awards coming up and have Harkes, Hildebrandt, and Okoli up as nominees. Best of luck to all three.

 

“We have a millennial audience so are taking a digital strategy first,” Edwards told Potter. “We spent time with Facebook and Twitter in Silicon Valley and we have partnered with ESPN and YouTube to stream our games. Earlier this season, the USL [hosted] one of the first professional games on Facebook, FC Cincinnati hosting Crystal Palace, which 1.3 million watched.

I had no idea that many people watched on Facebook, pretty incredible for exposure.

 

http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/714588?referrer_id=2584136

CINCINNATI, OH --- FC Cincinnati and the Queen City will host Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, Tuesday, Nov. 29 with the club hosting a town hall event at the Woodward Theater from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

“We are excited to have MLS Commissioner Don Garber visit Cincinnati,” said FCC President and General Manager, Jeff Berding. “We thank the Woodward Theater for partnering with us to host the town hall. The people at Woodward have taken great care to preserve the historic theater and it will be a great venue to show the Commissioner the revitalization that is occurring in our city.”

Doors to the Woodward Theater, located at 1404 Main Street, will open at 3:00 p.m. to the general public. To accommodate expected overflow, the event will be streamed live for viewing at MOTR Pub, Rhinehaus and Mr. Pitiful’s which are all located within walking distance of the Woodward Theater.

Garber is expected to take questions from the audience and fans can also submit questions in advance on Twitter by using the hashtag #MLS2Cincy.

Prior to the town hall, Garber will meet with FCC majority owner, Carl Lindner III, and will tour the city with Mayor Cranley and other civic and political leaders which will include a visit to Nippert Stadium with UC Athletic Director Mike Bohn.

Entry into the event will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Street parking is available along with several lots located within short walking distance to the Woodward Theater.

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I'd expect a crowded theater, so good they have overflow options. Shame about the time of day for me as no way to get from work to there before 5PM.

 

Congratulations to Mitch! Got to meet him and great guy, glad have him as our goal keeper and hope he returns in 2017.

 

No idea number of club seats there are, but sold out which they never announced last year so a good sign.

 

Trying to get off this day to make this important meeting. Tough having it right after Thanksgiving Holiday.

 

Well done on the golden boot and now MVP as well. I hope we can hold onto him, but I get it if MLS or Europe comes calling.

 

Maybe I missed it, but no talk on Ryan Martin leaving?

http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/711834?referrer_id=2861539