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Cincinnati to field new professional team in 2005

December 20, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Cincinnati Kings News Release


Cincinnati, OH - Cincinnati will join the United Soccer Leagues' (USL) Second Division fielding a new professional soccer team beginning April 2005. The team, nicknamed the Cincinnati Kings, will play at Xavier University's new soccer field. The 2005 schedule and ticket prices will be announced in the near future.

The USL Second Division, which was recently renamed and restructured by the league, will be eastern-based in 2005 with Cincinnati competing against the 2004 Finalist Charlotte Eagles, Harrisburg City Islanders, Long Island Rough Riders, New Hampshire Phantoms, Northern Virginia Royals, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Western Mass Pioneers andWilmington Hammerheads.

The Cincinnati Kings soccer franchise is owned and managed by Yacoub Abdallahi, an entrepreneur from Northern Africa who graduated from Northern Kentucky University, where he played soccer, and J.T. Roberts, a former professional soccer player and local youth soccer coach. The team will be coached by Jon Pickup, director of the Cardinal Soccer Club, one of Cincinnati's largest youth clubs.

In reviewing the purchase of the team, a comprehensive market research survey was conducted to determine the feasibility of successfully returning soccer to Cincinnati. Cincinnati ranks #2 in soccer participation in the United States behind Kansas City with over 100,000 youth and adults actively playing the sport in the Tri-state area.

Overall comments from the more than 500 individual interviews and responses resulted in three major suggestions from the potential fan base: Play in a centrally-located stadium, offer an exciting experience at the game (tailgating, concessions, in-game promotions) and create opportunities to connect with the players (clinics, camps, autograph sessions and community events). Over 85 percent of those polled said they would be very likely to attend one or more games.

In building the team, a recruitment effort will take place locally inviting the top regional professional and college players to tryout in February. Additionally, the management will hold tryouts in Northern Africa.

"Our goal is to field a competitive team in an entertaining atmosphere so our fans grow a deep appreciation for the sport," said J.T. Roberts. "To do so, the team will seek top local talent for our final roster in addition to drawing upon our international connections to recruit European and African players to Cincinnati."

The Cincinnati Kings will be teaming up with Ignition Athletics Performance Group and Beacon Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. With Timothy Kremchek, M.D. and Peter Cha, M.D. serving as the team doctors, the Kings will draw on Beacon and Ignition for their expertise in training, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. "We are extremely excited to announce that the Cincinnati Kings are teaming up with Ignition Athletics Performance Group and Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. You can not ask for better teammates than these two organizations," said J.T. Roberts.

The professional division of United Soccer Leagues will consist of 21 teams in 2005 with 12 in the First Division and nine in the Second Division. The top flight will be comprised of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Charleston Battery, Minnesota Thunder, Portland Timbers, Puerto Rico Islanders, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Raging Rhinos, Seattle Sounders, Toronto Lynx, Vancouver Whitecaps, Virginia Beach Mariners and the defending champion Montreal Impact.

"On behalf of the owners, we feel that the changes being made are a step in the right direction and are excited about what the future holds," said Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo, chairman of the USL Strategic Planning Committee. "We have a wonderful history, but are anxious for a new beginning under this unified vision for the future."

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