CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati returns to its home pitch for the first time and there are plenty of ways for fans to get amped for the home opener before and during the game.
What You Need To Know
- FC Cicninnati will play D.C. United in its home opener on Saturday night
- Pre-game events are set for Washington Park and various pubs around downtown Cincinnati
- Members of the team’s nine supporter groups will gather at the park for the “corteo” before heading to the stadium
- FCC has a new coach and several new players, four of whom made their team debut last week
The Orange and Blue’s 2022 season got off to a less-than-stellar start last weekend in Texas, losing to second-year club Austin FC, 5-0. But the team is hoping to rebound Saturday at TQL Stadium and they’re counting on a packed crowd to help get them there.
Prior to Saturday’s 6 p.m. kickoff against D.C. United, there will be a pre-match party at Washington Park. This is the second consecutive year FC Cincinnati has partnered with 3CDC— which puts together programming for the park— for events before every home match.
A version of the FC Cincinnati match day march route. (Provided: The Incline Collective)
“We are excited to welcome fans back to TQL Stadium! We hope fans will come early and join the pre-match party in Washington Park,” said Jeff Berding, co-CEO of FCC. “We have new soccer leadership to improve our performance on the pitch and are continuing to enhance our fan experience with new food and beverage offerings.”
From 3 to 5 p.m., fans can head to the Washington Park for FCC player autographs and live music from Naked Karate Girls, a cover band known for playing pop favorites. They can also enjoy free hot chocolate and coffee and there will be a host of giveaways and family-friendly activities, including face painting.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase as well.
The club’s nine supporter groups and other fans will meet in Washington Park at approximately 5:15 p.m. as part of their traditional 1-mile march through Over-the-Rhine to the stadium in West End.
Each of the supporter groups meets up at their own bar and then march separately before gathering together by the park.. Once there, they’ll perform the “corteo”– a mixture of singing, chanting and banner waving– in front of Cincinnati Music Hall, before they embark down 14th Street and into TQL Stadium.
For those interested in taking part in the full march experience, it begins about 90 minutes before kickoff, so between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., depending on the location. Fans can also join the march as supporters reach popular areas such as Findlay Market.
There’s fun to be had for fans who don’t have tickets for the game. The club has set up what it calls official Pub Partners, local bars and restaurants where fans tend together before, during and after home and away games. Pub Partners will broadcast all the matches and give fans a chance to win prizes.
“The FCC season always brings us a nice little push. Crowds are always solid for away games, and then home matches always draw big crowds before and after,” said Aaron Kohlhepp, co-owner of Rhinehaus, one of the Pub Partners.
Kohlhepp, a big soccer fan, said riding on the heels of the Bengals’ success, he’s excited for FCC to follow suit. He said he’s hopeful for more opportunities for “celebratory drinks after home games” than they’ve had the last few years.
“We’re definitely optimistic for a better season on the field,” he added.
Match day at TQL Stadium
On Saturday, the team will wear a new uniform designed to highlight the bond between the club, the fans and the city. The kit includes Cincinnati’s city motto, “Juncta Juvant” (“Strength in Unity”) strategically stitched inside the jersey on the neck tape.
Mayor Aftab Pureval poses with a new-look FC Cincinnati jersey given to him by the club. (Provided: City of Cincinnati)
Embossed across the chest are stripes representing the flowing waters of the Ohio River. The stripes form a “C” that houses a silver FC Cincinnati crest. A stylized version of the city’s flag is also located on the hip tag of the authentic jersey.
The team presented a jersey to Mayor Aftab Pureval at City Hall on Thursday.
Saturday will be the home debut for several new FC Cincinnati players. Four players made their club debut last week: Alec Kann, Ray Gaddis, Junior Moreno, Nick Markanich
One returning player is hometown hero Nick Hagglund who grew up in Cincinnati and played four years at Xavier University before being an MLS first-round pick. Haaglund has been with FCC since 2019. He re-signed this offseason to compete for playing time at defender and to serve as a team ambassador
It will also be the first home match for new head coach Pat Noonan. In his honor, the organization created “Noonan’s Nine Layer Nachos,” which is available in the First Financial Club inside the stadium.
Other new food and beverage offerings this year are hyperlocal, including dishes from Lucius Q BBQ, FUSIAN and Sammy’s Craft Burgers & Beers.
Sway by Cincinnati-based MadTree will offer two new vodka soda drinks: Strawberry and guava, and grapefruit and ginger. Beverages from Cutwater Distillery include its strawberry margarita, Long Island Iced Tea and a whiskey mule.
Those still interested in attending the game can look for tickets at fccincinnati.com/tickets.
As a reminder, TQL Stadium has a clear bag policy. For More details on the match-day experience, visit: fccincinnati.com/matchday.
