Opponent: FC Cincinnati
Record: 4-3-2 (4th in East)
Supporters Group: The Pride, The Den, Die Innesdadt
Well, it’s time to move on from the Parkes debacle, another poor start and look ahead to the first edition of the manufactured derby with Cincinnati lol. I do think there is possibility for a good rivalry with the FC Cincy in time; I think it’s just kind of funny how hard they are pushing it in Cincinnati. I almost get the feeling that they’re thinking, hey we can beat Pittsburgh in something, so let’s make it as big a deal as possible.
On to Cincinnati and the threatening “Orange Crush” of potentially 25,000 fans at Nippert Stadium Saturday afternoon. Expansion FC Cincinnati is going all out to break the USL attendance record and build hype for this game. If you haven’t heard already, Bengals Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones will be in attendance as honorary captains and rumor has it the two are going to be the starting center back combination, looking to top the Parkes debacle last week, lol.
They play their games at the University of Cincinnati football stadium, which converts nicely to soccer and has the capacity for those big crowds. Fair play to them as they’ve drawn some crowds near 20k, let’s see if it can be sustained through the season and beyond (and not just $1 tickets).
On the field they have started out not too shabbily either, they are currently sitting nicely at 4th in the Eastern Conference with 14 points. They’ve gained those points with a 4-3-2 record and an impressive win over Charlotte at home. Other wins have come against OCB and TFC2, both teams that the Hounds failed to get 3 points off of.
FC Cincy’s leading scorer is Sean Okoli with three goals; right behind him with two goals apiece are Andrew Weideman and Austin Berry. Okoli signed with Cincy this winter fresh off being released by the New England Revolution. Weideman has also bounced around the American divisions, having played in all three now; he did though have some success at the MLS level with TFC in 2012. One familiar face on Cincy’s roster is longtime City Islander Jimmy McLaughlin who has had his moments against the Hounds in the past.
FC Cincinnati has three supporters groups, The Pride, The Den and Die Innesdadt (which loosely translates to inner city). They all reside in the same section called “The Bailey” behind one goal. These sections are blocked off and separated from the rest of the stadium. This is because like most college football stadiums, Nippert’s design looks like a big horseshoe. The Pride seems to be your typical supporters group and so do Die Innesdadt to a degree. Though The Den appears to be only parents and small children gathered together which is interesting. Most of these supporters were big soccer supporters and have been waiting for a professional team in Cincy, so this strong opening of the first season can be somewhat expected.
Here’s to the Hounds crashing the party and bringing on a much needed 3 points and some good vibes back to the club.
#UNLEASH
