FC Cincinnati USL Superthread

Discussion in 'United Soccer Leagues' started by mikehurst21, Aug 12, 2015.

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  1. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    Nippert financially makes sense and the club could turn a profit there in MLS. I get MLS wanting SSS going back through the years, but we do have a great situation with favorable revenue control. My hope is MLS isn't insistent on SSS by 2020 as they may be too much to ask. If we can play at Nippert for first 2-3 years (2020-2022) while we build something that could be far more favorable for FCC.

    I do wonder if they build a SSS how large will it be. If it is 25K or less I could see tickets being at a premium and likely expensive. I'll still go, but it could be an issue. Next year is going to be very interesting to follow.
     
  2. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
  3. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    CINCINNATI, OH --- FC Cincinnati continues to expand on the roster for the 2017 season with the additions of Andy Craven (St. Simons, GA), Marco Dominguez (Saint-Michel, Montreal) and Aaron Walker (Woodstock, GA), pending USL and federation approval.

    “We are looking forward to Andy, Marco and Aaron joining the club,” said Head Coach John Harkes. “Marco is a young player who is motivated to prove himself and Andy’s abilities and competitiveness will strengthen our team in the attacking third. We were impressed by Aaron during the Open Tryout last month and we feel are pleased that we have a player coming from our tryout for the second straight year. We think he will be a good fit.”

    Craven joins FCC after two years with the Seattle Sounders organization. A 6’0” forward, Craven played in 16 matches for Seattle Sounders FC 2 last season and totaled eight points on three goals and two assists while registering five goals and five assists in 14 contests in 2015. Craven was a decorated forward at the collegiate level playing two years at North Carolina after transferring from the College of Charleston following his sophomore year. The 48th selection in the 2014 Major League Soccer SuperDraft by Seattle Sounders FC, Craven was also a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist his senior season. The former Tar Heel was named a first-team All-American by College Soccer News and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America after tying for first in the nation with 15 goals and pacing all players with 35 total points to go along with eight game-winning goals.

    Dominguez, a 5’11 talent, played two years for FC Montreal, totaling 1004 minutes and two assists in 15 matches last season. Joining the Montreal Impact Academy in 2013, the 5’11” midfielder made his professional debut against Charleston Battery on May 14, 2015. A deep-lying midfielder, Dominguez possesses the ability to stretch the opposition with both pace and a wide-passing range. His vision and ability to read plays on both sides of the ball have helped the 20-year-old to earn international call ups for Canada at the youth level.

    Walker emerged from FCC’s Open Tryout last December following a strong performance that impressed the staff. The midfielder spent 2015 with BÍ/Bolungarvik in the Icelandic 1st Division, where he started in every fixture for Nigel Quashie, a former English Premier League player and totaled a goal and an assist. Walker also had a stint with the Georgia Revolution from 2012-13, helping the team reach the Southeast Conference Finals and recording four goals and eight assists. Walker played collegiate soccer at Oglethorpe University from 2008-11 and was named a two-time All-Southern Collegiate Athletics Conference choice as well as an All-South Atlantic Region first-team selection.

    NAME POS HT WT HOMETOWN PREVIOUS CLUB
    Andy Craven F 6'0" 170 - St. Simons, GA - Seattle Sounders FC 2
    Marco Dominguez MF 5'11" 163 - Saint-MIchael, Montreal - FC Montreal
    Aaron Walker MF 5'11" 165 - Woodstock, GA - BÍ/Bolungarvik (2015)

    ------------------

    Seem like solid signings at first glance. Still hoping we have one major forward signing before season starts.
     
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  4. catfish9

    catfish9 Member+

    Jul 14, 2011
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Landed as DC United Academy Director
     
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  5. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://www.soccerwire.com/notes/ryan-martin-named-as-new-d-c-united-academy-director/

    United have hired Ryan Martin to succeed Nolan Sheldon as the new director of the youth academy.
    Martin, who last year helped former United player and current FC Cincinnati head coach John Harkes build the roster for the USL side’s inaugural season, will oversee all youth development for the Black-and-Red and work closely with the first team technical staff to integrate members of the academy in trainings.
    “Ryan has a proven track record of identifying, attracting and developing top talent,” Dave Kasper, United general manager and VP of soccer operations, said. “He understands what it takes to become a high-level player, and his familiarity with our methodologies and eagerness to build off Nolan’s success made him the obvious choice to oversee our academy.”
     
  6. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    [​IMG]

    Closing in on goal of 10,000.
     
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  7. jschwarz

    jschwarz Member

    Apr 6, 2004
    Cincinnati, OH
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bought my season tickets today. Gave up my Columbus Crew tickets after 2015. The 1hr 35min drive got old. I opted to attend a couple of Crew matches and a few FCC matches using my money to buy better seats. Quality of quantity. Loved the FCC atmosphere, the level of play was solid and I really loved the fact that I didn't have to drive to and from Cbus. Hoping for another great year for FCC and that they find the path to MLS.
     
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  8. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    Non locals seem to think Columbus is not far away. It is 2 hour drive (including that mind numbing section of 71 through farmland) for me. Cincinnati is just 15 minutes and I agree I feel undercharged for tickets given the quality of play.

    Very excited for 2017, although still hopeful for one major player signing before season starts.
     
  9. Blando13

    Blando13 Member+

    Dec 4, 2013
    Lee's Summit, MO
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
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  10. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    I'm guessing that may be about it. I can see we are definitely bigger and deeper in 2017. I'll be cautious until we're a good 5 matches in to see how players are working together and if offense can click.
     
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  11. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    On behalf of a rising city that has proven its love, value, pride and passion for the beautiful game and its growing movement in this country, Carl Lindner and FC Cincinnati humbly submit our application for Cincinnati to join the ranks of Major League Soccer (MLS).

    ----------------------------------

    Officially made submission to expansion toward MLS.
     
  12. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    [​IMG]

    Of note is "Stadium Proposal" and what looks like a render of possible stadium plans.
     
  13. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    [​IMG]

    Big road trips to start and finish the season this year.
     
  14. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati


    Local media and Berding. He cannot comment on specifics as to stadium plan yet, but there seems to be a plan.
     
  15. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    The University of Cincinnati’s venerable Nippert Stadium does the job for now, but it never was the long-term plan. Berding said FCC has zeroed in on two potential stadium sites, both of which are in the city’s urban core that stretches connects the river, downtown, Over-the-Rhine and UC.

    He wouldn’t provide details regarding the financing but said MEIS architects and principal Tim Lambert have been working on the stadium design. Lambert was involved in designing Red Bull Arena, StubHub Center, Toyota Park and Rio Tinto Stadium in MLS. He’s also working on AS Roma’s new arena.

    “We’re going to submit a plan that meets [MLS] requirements. Our application is going to show a soccer-specific stadium that work on two different sites in our urban core with a funding model where the numbers add up,” Berding said. “We’re going to continue to fine-tune the funding model, and that’s going to be a bit of ongoing work. But at the end of the day, we have a plan that can get it done.”

    -----------------------

    Curious as to exact location, but emphasizing urban core is encouraging. Challenge is to find that much space.
     
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  16. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    [​IMG]

    A highly regarded young player to add competition at the forward spot. I just want to see how these guys play out, but feeling pretty good right now.
     
  17. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    [​IMG]

    For context when the club was founded the goal was to sell 10,000 total tickets for matches. We are now guaranteed that in 2017. This also means we officially surpassed Sacramento to have the most STH in USL now.

    2016 - ~5,500
    2017 - ~10,000
     
  18. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2017/02/fc-cincinnati-hits-10000-season-ticket-mark/

    “We are so appreciative to our fans who have invested and are joining us for FC Cincinnati’s second year,” said president and general manager, Jeff Berding. “We promise that you won’t be disappointed. We are excited about the team that is taking the field this year and the front office is working constantly to improve your FCC experience. We want to continue to grow this movement that we started together last year.”
    Less than 100 seats remain in The Bailey, the north end of Nippert Stadium. The FCC home of some of the club’s most fervent supporters, The Bailey is filled with blue and orange smoke, tifos, songs and chants.
    Club and premium seats have sold out but many optimal choices still remain in the stadium’s lower bowl.
     
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  19. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    Yeah, the only downside of all this good news is doubt I'll be able to bring friends out like I did last year with the Bailey likely being sold out every match. May have to sit elsewhere with them, which is fine, but I like standing in the Bailey.
     
  20. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    [​IMG]

    Supporters section is sold out. Other sections near midfield on shady side look to likely sell out before season starts.
     
  21. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  22. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    In stunned disbelief. I don't know why this happened, but Koch has some serious expectations on his shoulders if what we've achieved is not good enough.
     
  23. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I've been a referee in these parts (NY/NJ) forever and let's just say that John Harkes is not the easiest person in the world to get along with...
     
  24. ThePonchat

    ThePonchat Member+

    #ProRelForUSA
    United States
    Jan 10, 2013
    I've Been Everywhere Man
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Koch has much more coaching credibility than Harkes ever has.

    There's a lot behind the scenes. A LOT. Koch has been real successful wherever he's been.
     
  25. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    Let me say first I want Koch to succeed and I want this decision with hindsight to be a master stroke.

    My concern is two things.

    1. The results of 2016 were amazing, I expected 8th place in the east and we finished 3rd. Yes, we lost a tough playoff match, but we got it at home. If we finish 4th or worst and go out in first round of playoffs I fear Koch could be fired and begin a process of instability which I've never been a fan of in sports. Consistency has value to me.

    2. The timing is bizarre without full context of what transpired. I will speculate that maybe Harkes and Berding didn't get along, but if that were the case why didn't this happen months ago? Doing this after the signings have happened and right on the eve of pre-season is concerning. Again, it could have been an event I am ignorant of that left FC Cincinnati feeling like they have no choice, maybe we'll know someday.

    The issue right now is uncertainty because no idea why this happened and without seeing the future no clue how 2017 and beyond play out. I hope we play amazing and win a title and everyone hails the move, but I fear if we even stumble a bit to start the season (a possibility if you look at the schedule) the scrutiny will be heightened due to this move.

    Berding has been a darling (as has everyone at FCC) with the fans and to me this is the first controversial move they have made. Not sure how he'd respond if to negativity from fans if 2017 shows to be a step back.
     

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