Cincinnati, OH – FC Cincinnati, the professional soccer team in Cincinnati, is moving closer to its debut in Major League Soccer.
The club learned in May it was granted expansion to MLS. For the past three years the club has competed in the United Soccer League.
- FC Cincinnati joins MLS
- Begins Season at Nippert Stadium in March
- Plays in the Eastern Conference - Joining the Columbus Crew
Team officials unveiled the team's new crest and brand at the Woodward Theater in Cincinnati on Monday night. A crowd of FCC's most ardent supporters were on-hand for the unveiling.
The new crest keeps a lot of features found on the team's original crest. The blue and orange colors stay, but are more bold. “Cincinnati” is in bold blue across the crest, and in a font symbolic to German - an ode to the Queen City's heritage.
The lion remains but with an upgrade. Already a symbol a pride the lion represents the pride of the club and its winning ways. The lion's crown references the Queen City, seven points a nod to the seven hills that encompass Cincinnati, and the three tail points symbolizing the club’s three years of existence before heading into MLS.
The crown is homage to the “Queen” City and the tail of the lion is curled in a way to form the letter “C”, a subtlety to the “C” in Cincinnati.
“This is a celebration for Cincinnati,” Koch said referencing the unveiling event. “If you look at the crest, the biggest thing on that crest, it's bold. Cincinnati is right across it. We're all incredibly proud to represent the city.
FC Cincinnati should have no problem drawing fans to Nippert Stadium when the 2019 season starts in March. Last season, FCC averaged around 25,000 fans which would have given it the fourth best attendance had it been in MLS.
The club is finalizing plans for a soccer-specific stadium in the West End. It'll open for the 2021 season.
FC Cincinnati will play in the Eastern Conference, joining the Columbus Crew.