With more than 4,000 in attendance at TQL Stadium for FC Cincinnati’s Youth Soccer Night, the community at-large was celebrated on Sunday night. The cherry on top was the MLS NEXT Pro matchup that fans were treated to with FC Cincinnati 2 taking on New York City FC II.Â
With events, meet and greets, games, live music, arts and craft, and visits from Cincinnati area mascots on hand for the evening festivities, the soccer community came together as one to cheer on their local club, while having fun doing so.Â
To top it all off, FC Cincinnati 2 shutout visiting NYCFC II 2-0 with goalkeeper Paul Walters earning man of the match honors, making seven saves, including a penalty kick in the 87th minute, to secure the club’s seventh victory of the season.
Fans of all ages came out to the event, including over 14 youth-focused organizations, 11 of which were with youth soccer organizations. Overall, more than 3,100 attendees came from those youth organizations to support FC Cincinnati 2.
FC Cincinnati players and staff, at all levels, were in attendance to celebrate the club and community, and cheer on their teammates from the stands. FCC first team players Roman Celentano, Bret Halsey and Stiven Jimenez took part in the pregame festivities, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.Â
Players from FC Cincinnati’s Academy teams also joined in on the fun, with members of the U15, U17 and U19 teams helping to organize soccer skills challenges on the Carl and Martha Lindner Plaza, as well as taking on fans in foosball and Subsoccer.Â
Once inside TQL Stadium, attendees participated in several activities, including face painting, balloon animals and video games.Â
FC Cincinnati 2 competes in MLS NEXT Pro, a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the pro-player pathway. For more information on FC Cincinnati 2, including upcoming match information, visit fccincinnati.com/fccincinnati2/.
