USL FC Cincinnati

FCC's Inaugural Year Thrills Queen City

Published on October 13, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Cincinnati News Release


FCC burst onto the scene in its inaugural season and finished third in the Eastern Division with a 16-6-8 record.

The Orange and Blue, who hosted a quarter-final playoff game, were eliminated by Charleston Battery after suffering a 2-1 loss.

The fixture was played in front of 30,187 as FCC smashed the previous playoff mark of 20,886, registered by Orlando City SC in the 2013 USL Cup Final.

OCT. 5 DECLARED FC CINCINNATI DAY

Oct. 5 was declared "FC Cincinnati Day" and the first-year franchise received a mayoral proclamation, read by councilmember, Amy Murray, recognizing FCC's owners, coaches, players and staff for their success in the inaugural season.

ATTENDANCE RECORDS REWRITTEN

FCC broke five attendance records this year, garnering USL and national attention.

In just their second home game (Apr. 16), FCC played host to a record crowd of 20,497 against Louisville City FC, besting Sacramento Republic FC's mark of 20,231.

The club rewrote the mark again versus Pittsburgh on May 14 when 23,375 supported the regional rivalry and attended the "Orange Out" game.

FCC's final regular-season home fixture attracted 24,376 in a win against Orlando City B.

The club set a new USL single-game playoff record with 30,187 against Charleston Battery in a quarterfinal match that smashed the previous mark set by Orlando City SC.

With attendances over 10,000 for all of the USL fixtures, FCC broke the league's single-season attendance record against New York Red Bulls II (July 20) as the club's 164,109 supporters eclipsed the previous record of 158,516 set by Sacramento Republic FC.

AND FOR GOOD MEASURE

Although this attendance figure did not make it into official league records, 35,061 streamed through the Nippert Stadium gates in a soccer sellout when FCC hosted 2016 FA Cup Finalists, Crystal Palace FC in an international friendly.

Palace manager Alan Pardew likened the atmosphere to an FA Cup Final and said "the whole time we have been here has been energized. Personally, I really hope that we can come back here. If it's not next year, then soon. It's terrific and we can help push this club up a division. I've never experienced the reaction I got from this club anywhere else."

In all home games this year, FCC surpassed the 300,000 mark for season attendance, bringing in 333,353 fans to highlight the inaugural season.

AND THE AWARDS GO TO...

The USL individual awards are due out at the end of the month but Sean Okoli was recognized as the Golden Boot winner after leading the league with 16 goals.

Okoli scored FCC's first goal at Nippert Stadium, blasting a scissor-kick tally that garnered a nod on Sports Center's Top 10.

The forward from Federal Way, WA posted three braces in 2016 and at one time scored eight points over three games.

Okoli also picked up the FCC team award for Most Offensive Player.

Corben Bone was named the Most Valuable Player by his teammates with the midfielder charged with orchestrating the Orange and Blue offense as well as breaking up the opposition's attack.

Harrison Delbridge received the Defensive Player of the Year nod after playing in 30 fixtures and helping the team to 10 shutouts.

Evan Lee was voted the Most Improved Player and Austin Berry received the Cincinnatus Award, given to the player who best exemplified outstanding leadership, service to the great good, civic virtue, lack of personal ambition, and modesty.

FCC HONORS SUPPORTERS

Last Thursday, the club hosted a gathering to honor FCC's supporters.

Said President and GM, Jeff Berding, "We grew this franchise together as a city. It was an incredible inaugural year and the FCC movement happened because of the fans, sponsors and community support we received since we announced our launch."

About 200 supporters filled the back room at the Moerlein Lager House and celebrated the year with the FCC front office staff, players and coaches.

HILDEBRANDT BECOMES FAN FAVORITE

Mitch Hildebrandt became a fan favorite with supporters developing the "Mitch Says No!" chant that was used following every save by the goalie.

"Mitch Says No" t-shirts soon followed.

On the pitch, Hildebrandt posted a .90 goals-against average after yielding 25 goals.

He led the USL in the regular season in minutes with 2,608 and was seventh with 72 saves.

WIEDEMAN SECURES SPOT IN FCC HISTORY

Andrew Weideman did not garner as many headlines but the forward from San Ramon, CA had the honor of scoring FCC's first official goal.

Wiedeman's first goal for FCC came against Bethlehem Steel FC and gave the club a 1-0 lead. He then turned around and assisted on an Okoli put-away for an eventual 2-1 win, the team's first victory.

Wiedeman finished second on the team with seven goals and four assists for 18 points.

PROTECTING NIPPERT STADIUM

FCC was 10-3-4 in all games, including a U.S. Open Cup contest at Nippert Stadium.

The club did not lose a game in September and had two home unbeaten streaks, going undefeated in eight consecutive fixtures from Apr. 30 to July 2 and then posting a five-game unbeaten stretch from July 23 to Sept. 17.

WHAT'S COMING UP FOR FCC

MLS soccer commissioner, Don Garber, will visit Cincinnati on Nov. 29.

FCC plans on holding a town-hall event that day at 4:00 p.m. with the location to be determined.

Check out the FC Cincinnati Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 13, 2016


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