FC Cincinnati finally returned to Nippert Stadium this afternoon in preseason form. FC Cincy was playing host to the USL’s Sacramento Republic FC. Did I mention it was at Nippert Stadium? Last Saturday, FC|C played host to Nashville SC at University of Cincinnati’s Gettler Stadium. Gettler Stadium is the home for both the UC men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as the men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams. We had tickets to last week’s friendly but skipped it and adopted a dog instead. With today’s friendly being played in the friendly confines of beautiful Nippert Stadium, how could we stay away? FC Cincinnati soccer is back at Nippert! Let’s go!

In what has become a prematch tradition dating back to the beginning of last season, we stopped at Mac’s Pizza Pub in Clifton before the match to get some lunch and watch UC’s basketball game against Memphis in the semi-finals of the American Athletic Conference tournament. Mac’s was packed full of Bearcat fans cheering on their basketball team. I don’t really care for the Bearcats basketball program much at all but the atmosphere was pretty infectious, the food was just great as always and the draft beers were only $1 during the Bearcats basketball game…

Just look at that monster of a burger…

After the Bearcat’s punched their ticket to the championship game, we walked over to Nippert Stadium for FC|C preseason soccer…

We spent the first half standing in the sun behind The Bailey. It felt really nice when you were in the sun…

We spent the second half of the match watching from behind our season ticket seats. And it was pretty darn chilly when you weren’t in the sun. FC CINCINNATI GOAL!!!

Both Genifer and I missed FC Cincy’s goal. And there wasn’t any video so no replay…

Bummer. Did I mention it was pretty chilly when you weren’t in the sun?

And the match ended 2-1 to Sacramento…

It was really great to be back at Nippert watching some FC Cincinnati soccer again.The team looked pretty good. With FC|C signing 17 new players in the offseason and with only 9 returning players, I imagine there are still so kinks to be worked out trying to get the team to gel. We can’t wait for FC Cincinnati’s home opener on April 7th at 7pm against Lousiville City FC. Hopefully, it’ll be a little bit warmer in a few weeks. But I’m not going to hold my breath. 😀⚽️🔶🔷❤️