FC Cincinnati: From Expansion Club to Major League Soccer Contender

Since its founding in 2015, FC Cincinnati has become one of Major League Soccer’s fastest-rising clubs. Backed by one of the league’s most passionate fan bases, the Orange and Blue have grown from a United Soccer League expansion team into a consistent MLS contender. With a modern stadium, outstanding leadership, and a talented roster, FC Cincinnati has established itself as one of the premier soccer organizations in North America.

The Beginning of the Club

FC Cincinnati was officially announced on August 12, 2015, and began play in the United Soccer League (USL) during the 2016 season. The club was founded by former Cincinnati Bengals executive Jeff Berding with the vision of bringing top-level professional soccer to Cincinnati.

From the very beginning, FC Cincinnati exceeded expectations. The club shattered USL attendance records, regularly drawing crowds larger than many Major League Soccer teams. Nippert Stadium became one of the most exciting soccer venues in the country as thousands of supporters packed the stands every match.

The club’s tremendous fan support eventually earned Cincinnati an MLS expansion franchise. FC Cincinnati officially joined Major League Soccer in 2019, becoming the league’s 24th franchise. Today, the club plays its home matches at the beautiful TQL Stadium in Cincinnati’s West End, one of the finest soccer-specific stadiums in North America.

The Three Greatest Players in Club History

Luciano Acosta

No player has had a bigger impact on FC Cincinnati than Luciano “Lucho” Acosta.

After arriving in Cincinnati, Acosta quickly developed into one of Major League Soccer’s elite attacking midfielders. His creativity, passing, vision, and goal-scoring ability helped transform FC Cincinnati from a rebuilding club into a championship contender.

Among his accomplishments:

• MLS MVP
• MLS Best XI selections
• Club leader in assists
• One of the greatest playmakers in MLS history

Acosta helped lead Cincinnati to its first Supporters’ Shield and remains one of the most influential players in club history.

Roman Celentano

Goalkeeper Roman Celentano has been one of the league’s most reliable shot-stoppers since entering MLS.

Drafted by FC Cincinnati in 2022, Celentano quickly became the club’s starting goalkeeper thanks to his athleticism, composure, and leadership.

His numerous clutch saves during playoff races and postseason matches have made him one of the best goalkeepers in Major League Soccer.

Brandon Vazquez

Before moving abroad, Brandon Vazquez became one of FC Cincinnati’s most beloved players.

The powerful striker developed into one of MLS’s top forwards, scoring timely goals while helping Cincinnati earn its first playoff appearances and Supporters’ Shield. His work ethic, aerial ability, and finishing made him a fan favorite.

The Greatest Wins in Club History

2023 Supporters’ Shield

The greatest achievement in club history came during the 2023 season when FC Cincinnati finished with the best regular-season record in Major League Soccer, capturing its first-ever Supporters’ Shield.

After finishing near the bottom of the league only a few seasons earlier, the dramatic turnaround became one of MLS’s greatest success stories.

Historic U.S. Open Cup Run (2017)

While still a USL club, FC Cincinnati shocked American soccer by reaching the semifinals of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup.

Along the way, the club defeated multiple MLS opponents before narrowly falling to the New York Red Bulls. The run helped prove Cincinnati deserved a place in Major League Soccer.

Opening TQL Stadium

Although not a championship victory, defeating Inter Miami in the club’s first match at TQL Stadium in 2021 marked the beginning of a new era for FC Cincinnati and showcased one of the league’s premier soccer venues.

The 2026 Season

FC Cincinnati entered the 2026 MLS season with high expectations after establishing itself as one of the Eastern Conference’s elite clubs in recent years.

Head coach Pat Noonan continues to guide one of the league’s most organized and disciplined teams. Despite battling injuries and roster changes early in the season, Cincinnati remained among the Eastern Conference contenders before the league paused for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The club resumed training with hopes of making another deep playoff run.

The roster features an outstanding blend of experienced veterans and exciting newcomers, including:

• Evander
• Kévin Denkey
• Miles Robinson
• Roman Celentano
• Pavel Bucha
• Obinna Nwobodo
• Tom Barlow

The club’s depth and balanced attack continue to make FC Cincinnati one of the most dangerous teams in Major League Soccer.

Current Coaching Staff

One of the biggest reasons for FC Cincinnati’s success has been the stability of its leadership.

Head Coach

• Pat Noonan

General Manager

• Chris Albright

Since arriving together in 2021, Noonan and Albright have completely transformed the organization. Their smart roster building, player development, and tactical consistency have turned FC Cincinnati into one of MLS’s model franchises. Noonan recently became one of the fastest coaches in league history to reach 75 MLS victories.

Recent Draft Results

While MLS clubs increasingly rely on international signings and academy talent, FC Cincinnati has continued to add depth through the MLS SuperDraft.

Recent selections include:

• Ayoub Lajhar (2026)
• Ben Augee (2025)
• Brian Schaefer (2024)
• Kenji Mboma Dem (2024)

The organization has also placed a strong emphasis on developing homegrown players through FC Cincinnati 2 and its academy system, ensuring a steady pipeline of young talent.

The Future

The future remains extremely bright for FC Cincinnati.

The club possesses:

• One of MLS’s premier soccer-specific stadiums.
• A passionate and growing fan base.
• An experienced front office.
• A respected coaching staff.
• A strong player development system.
• Consistent playoff expectations.

As Major League Soccer continues to grow in popularity, FC Cincinnati is positioned to remain among the league’s elite organizations. The combination of smart management, financial investment, and community support has created a sustainable foundation capable of competing for MLS Cup year after year.

Conclusion

In just over a decade, FC Cincinnati has gone from an ambitious USL expansion club to one of Major League Soccer’s flagship franchises. The club’s remarkable rise has been fueled by passionate supporters, outstanding leadership, and talented players who have embraced the city’s growing soccer culture.

With Pat Noonan leading from the sidelines, a roster filled with proven MLS stars, and one of the league’s best home-field environments at TQL Stadium, FC Cincinnati enters the future with championship aspirations. While the club continues to chase its first MLS Cup title, it has already established itself as one of the greatest success stories in American professional soccer.