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
    [​IMG]

    Doubled now our 2016 season ticket sales.
     
  2. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
  3. catfish9

    catfish9 Member+

    Jul 14, 2011
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You just can't compare to MLS. Far different ticket pricing. It's great what is happening in the queen city but when your tickets are $45 and not $10 then the comparison means something. But keep up the good work. Keep supporting. Hope to see you in MLS.
     
  4. ThePonchat

    ThePonchat Member+

    #ProRelForUSA
    United States
    Jan 10, 2013
    I've Been Everywhere Man
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Who is to blame for the ticket structure though?

    If MLS teams want to get better attendance, maybe they should look at lowering their ticket price. No one wants to pay $45 for a subpar product. That said, there are tons of MLS giveaways, promotions, etc. and they still don't look like they have many butts in the seats during those times.

    Columbus' home opener had tickets for like $15. Not much different than FCC's pricing. Still couldn't get many people there.
     
  5. catfish9

    catfish9 Member+

    Jul 14, 2011
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This has been debated ad nauseum over the yrs. A couple of points:

    MLS has long said if they lower their prices into the $10-$15 range it cheapens their perceived value.

    It would take 3 $15 butts in seats to make up for just one $45 butt. A lot more work for sales reps.

    A lot of people would likely choose the cheaper option rather than more expensive (I know I would).

    The overall affect on revenues would be detrimental. It's really about revenues not butts in seats. Take this example...

    5000 upper bowl seats priced at $25 brings in $2,125,000 a year. If they were to lower upper bowl tickets to $10 the annual revenue would only be $850,000. (17 home games).

    So if MLS is overpriced for product on the field as you say, then maybe your tickets should be $5. Fact is USL is overall an inferior product to MLS.

    We could certainly hash this out over and over. But ticket sales in smaller markets is a rough gig. There are a lot of factors such winning on field, exceptional game day environment, and a persistent sales team to build momentum. In Columbus historically it takes half a season to build it. I'm certain the club would love to come straight out of the gates filling the place.

    Again, I'm not criticizing what is going on in Cincinnati. I love seeing it. But until you are charging the same amt. you just can not compare yourselves to MLS. You're certainly killing 99% of USL/NASL.
     
  6. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    I wasn't comparing in that sense, the club is giving updates on ticket sales and this reference guide shows where we are at for the home opener and goals set forth.

    Our home opener last year was ~14,000 so to be at ~16,000 with weeks to spare is already encouraging.
     
  7. ThePonchat

    ThePonchat Member+

    #ProRelForUSA
    United States
    Jan 10, 2013
    I've Been Everywhere Man
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I get it. I work in soccer.

    It still is better to have 18,000 people at a game than 13,000. Sure, they may end up losing some on ticket revenue. But, they will make it on the other end with merchandise or concessions.

    I've been to 3 different MLS venues so far for matches. Each one has a different setup and ticket "value." I've talked to many of my friends that go to other MLS venues and it's the same. The "value" that MLS believes they are at is just too high. It's the same that's going on in England right now. You cannot price out your market.

    Columbus, as another example, charges for parking. I've been to Colorado and KC for postseason matches and regular season matches, no parking fees. That affects support too. No one wants to pay near $20 just for parking.
     
  8. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/773663?referrer_id=2584136

    CINCINNATI, OH --- FC Cincinnati reserves will play a friendly against the Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC July 16, at the Northern Kentucky University Soccer Stadium with the start time scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
    Prior to the July 16 friendly, the Cincinnati Dutch Lions will take on the Derby City Rovers at Gettler Stadium at 4:00 p.m. as a pregame event for FC Cincinnati’s match against Charleston Battery at 7:00 p.m.
     
  9. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    Lost to Charleston to open the season again this year, this time 2-1. First fifteen minutes of each half we looked good, but then had issues with offense content to long passes. The penalty was foolish, and felt typical of us to throw away a point like that. Over all it felt like a team that was rough around the edges and a bit tired. Not sure if it is down to fitness or familiarity, but needs to improve quickly not to start the season in a big hole.
     
  10. hipityhop

    hipityhop Member

    New Mexico United
    United States
    Jan 10, 1999
    Mission TX
    Club:
    SønderjyskE
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    RGV tickets 15 cheap to 60.00. Mine were 29.00 on the edge of the box.
     
  11. catfish9

    catfish9 Member+

    Jul 14, 2011
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    And I bet you didn't have 20k there. (Of course you didn't). Does Cincinnati even have $60 tickets?
     
  12. ThePonchat

    ThePonchat Member+

    #ProRelForUSA
    United States
    Jan 10, 2013
    I've Been Everywhere Man
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Only season ticket pricing for that. Several sections are sold out, so don't know the single game value for them. Here's the pricing: http://www.fccincinnati.com/tickets
     
  13. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    Not for regular seats, they go $10-$30 (discounts for season tickets and groups).
    I'm guessing the club suites (which are sold out) go for a premium price.
     
  14. flyfresno

    flyfresno Member

    Fresno Fuego
    Apr 2, 2017
    Fresno, Minneapolis
    Pretty amazing what's happening in Cincy, you guys have quite a community out there. It'll be interesting to see if all these attendance records are enough to push you guys in front of other MLS bids.
     
  15. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    For all the big talk the first two matches have been fairly uninspiring. We actually look less offensively minded than we did in 2016 and owe our defense thanks for the three points. Maybe after this opening road trip getting some matches at home can better assess FCC.
     
  16. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Field expansion is done, be curious how this affects play at Nippert.
     
  17. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    FC Cincinnati will open an expanded standalone retail store downtown in time for its home opener next week.

    Cincinnati’s hugely successful second-year soccer team will open a retail location across Fourth Street from its headquarters building. It’s taking space at 43 E. Fourth St., between Vine and Walnut streets, that was formerly the home of the Bolero men’s clothing store. Bolero moved to a downtown site on Vine Street.
    “One of the reasons we’re doing this is because our merchandise sales were so successful last year,” FC Cincinnati president and general manager Jeff Berdingtold me. “This will make the shopping experience a lot nicer for fans and a lot more convenient. We’re responding to customer demand.”

    The space is four times bigger than FC Cincinnati’s small merchandise area on the ground floor of its headquarters building across the street from the new retail store. It covers 800 square feet compared with the 200 square feet of its tiny merchandise space at its home office. Fans had to push a buzzer to get an FC Cincinnati employee to come up to the front and let them in the store, and when more than a few fans showed up at once, they often would have to line up in the hall or even outside to get into the small space, Berding said.

    The new space features changing rooms and more area to display a wider variety of merchandise. Hours for the new store will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays.

    FC Cincinnati will host a ribbon cutting on April 14 to launch the new retail space. The team plays its first home game of the season at 7 p.m. on April 15 at Nippert Stadium against Saint Louis FC.

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

    Happy to see this, old store was small, cramped, and often sold out of items. Plus expanded hours is a big plus as can stop by on a Saturday.
     
  18. hipityhop

    hipityhop Member

    New Mexico United
    United States
    Jan 10, 1999
    Mission TX
    Club:
    SønderjyskE
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Announced attendance was 6K, but they would be lucky if they had 4k at their new stadium, very nice by the way. End Tickets are 15.00, they move up to 60.00 at mid field. I think they are very high, parking is free.
     
  19. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    Terrible match against Bethlehem and starting to hear grumbles among fans. Maybe the worst match I've seen Cincinnati play yet. We excused the poor pre-season, and now excuse the poor opening road trip, but I do wonder if the 3 home matches go badly (3 points or less) if the goodwill that has been built up might start to wane.

    The biggest issue is our style of play. Say what you will about Harkes, but he tried to play a style that was nice to watch even if it did cost us at times. Then all the big talk was "more goals" from the front office and yet our attack looks far more predictable and impotent.

    This is not panic mode, it is still early and maybe they will come together, but I am now concerned that we've taken a step backward. I'll be there Saturday in person to see if Nippert is better for FCC.
     
  20. ThePonchat

    ThePonchat Member+

    #ProRelForUSA
    United States
    Jan 10, 2013
    I've Been Everywhere Man
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Burning a sub early (injury) doesn't help. Going a man down shortly thereafter doesn't help. Losing Okoli surely doesn't help.

    There is a lot to the "struggles" that FCC is facing early, which is not that different from any other team in MLS, USL, or NASL. Every team is looking for a goal scorer like Okoli was in 2016. Few teams have that. Heck, watching SKC v. Rapids last night, they talked about Colorado not having a 10-goal scorer but 2-3 times in the history of their MLS franchise (something along those numbers).

    The team is 1-2-0 right now. If there's grumbles, then they need to settle down. First year had to be a hit. Year two is not always the same as year one. Consistency in American soccer is hard to come by to begin with, so this should be rather commonplace scenario if one is an American soccer fan.

    Heck, after the first week of NASL games, EVERY team was 0-0-1 in the league (except the two teams that didn't play). Then, to kick off week two, Indy Eleven and PRFC kept the trend going. Who would have thought that was going to happen from Indy going up 2-0, to down 2-3? I would imagine teams would love to go 1-2-0 in the first 3 games of a season with all 3 being on the road. I mean, you had two 1-goal games and then this 2-goal game. Goal differential is only -2 with 3 games on the road.

    Panties in a wad way too early. If there's that much concern right now, wait until you have the crap MLS rules to deal with...definitely avoiding every FCC fan then.
     
  21. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    The concerns began when Harkes was fired in favor of Koch. We were then told that signings would lead to "62 goals" and how this was the mark that the goal was USL Cup or bust.

    If the front office raises expectations that last year was not good enough and only improvement was acceptable the fan base follows.

    This is more than the results, it is the style of play. Getting a tough call or an injury happen, but the fact is even in victory at Pittsburgh the attack too often devolved into long passes despite being afforded possession.

    You're making assumptions that my remarks stand for all or even majority of FCC fans. Overwhelming response is still happy and positive when you look around. This is mainly from mine own view and some within the supporter groups. This stems, in part, because the concern as a Cincinnati sport fan that this will all go south as unaccustomed to actually winning.
     
  22. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    So...That went well.

    After worst match I've ever seen us play, we go and play the best match I've ever seen us play. Dictated play and finally got some goals. We may be a bit one dimensional depending on Djiby, but when that one dimensional is playing that well not going to complain.

    Tampa and Louisville will be two more big tests and see how much of an advantage Nippert can provide.
     
  23. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Mikebsiu repped this.
  24. Traumer

    Traumer Member

    Feb 25, 2016
    Cincinnati
    FC Cincinnati’s Djiby Fall has received a six-game suspension and undisclosed fine. It consists of a one-game suspension and fine for the red card for serious foul play, and an additional five-game suspension and fine for major game misconduct during last week’s match against Louisville City FC. Fall’s suspension runs through June 3, pending any schedule changes.

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

    Just stupid. Djiby seems like a nice guy, but he was rattled and lost his head so not surprised he got suspended. This means after a difficult opening set of matches we have a series of winnable ones without our leading goal scorer. Come on Fordyce and Craven, show us what you can do!
     
  25. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

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