This afternoon was the final home game of FC Cincinnati’s inaugural MLS season…

FC|C was playing host to Orlando City. We’re really happy this soccer season is finally coming to an end. It’s been a ridiculously long season watching an epically bad team struggle mightily in a very mediocre league…

It was fan appreciation night at Nippert Stadium. Everyone in the stadium received a free scratcher card. On our scratchers, we both got $10 off at the FC Cincinnati team shop. We felt so appreciated…

FC Cincinnati took an early 1-0 lead…

But Orlando City came back to tie it up. And the match would end 1-1. 

Like I said earlier, it was a very long season of FC Cincinnati soccer, and we’re really happy it’s over. This was the fourth summer that we planned around FC Cincinnati. And at the end of each season, we’ve always looked forward to next season. Until the end of this season. I’ve really soured on FC Cincinnati over the course of the summer. I haven’t been able to pinpoint my exact problem or the main source of my frustration with the team. And I’ve thought about it. A LOT. I haven’t been able to put my finger on any single issue or event or happening that took me from a die-hard supporter to a very jaded observer. I still support the club. I’ll still sport FC|C gear on match days next season. But we’re done being season ticket holders. My heart just isn’t in this team anymore. A small part of it has to be that the quality of their play is just so ridiculously bad. It’s no fun watching a team lose over and over again, and not show any signs of getting better. And all the miscues by the leadership have something to do with it. The lack of appreciation for their season ticket holders played a part too. As well as the ongoing saga and bevy of issues surrounding their new soccer-specific stadium in the West End. And then there’s the Bailey and their redundant, tired, uninspired chants. It all just grates on me. But maybe it’s not you FC Cincinnati, maybe it’s just me.

I think my issue is with MLS as a whole. The arrogance of MLS thinking they can charge a premium price for such a terrible product. It’s a small step up from USL at best. The watered-down talent pool of players, the uninspired match play, the mediocrity of the referees, the ridiculous number of teams in the league, the structure of the playoffs, the lack of promotion and relegation. All of it is just so bad. USL had a certain campiness to it that I thought was fun. It was the minor league of professional soccer and with the minor league comes a certain understanding that there will be missed calls, errant passes and shots that go out for throw-ins and other mistakes. MLS takes it’s self so seriously. It presents itself that this is the pinnacle of soccer. And in reality, it’s just so bad. It’s really difficult for me to watch. Most of the time.

But then again over the course of this season, I’ve fallen in love with Minnesota United. So figure that out. Maybe it isn’t MLS. Maybe it is just you, FC Cincinnati. Who knows. But whatever the reason, I’m just glad this season is finally over. And next summer, we’re going back to more Reds games. 😀⚽️❤️