Find where to watch FC Cincinnati on TV

FC CINCINNATI

The FC Cincinnati franchise was founded in 2015 and began play in the USL (United Soccer League) in 2016. The club played in the USL for three seasons (2016-2018). In 2018, it was announced that an expansion team was awarded to the FC Cincinnati ownership group. The team began play in MLS in 2019.

The franchise is owned by a group led by Cincinnati area businessman Carl Lindner III. Lindner is the Co-CEO of American Financial Group and also the CEO of FC Cincinnati. The city has embraced the club ever since its founding in 2015. The club’s matches are some of the most well-attended in the entire MLS.

Fans can watch FC Cincinnati games on TV and stream matches from a number of different platforms. National broadcasts are shown on ESPN and ESPN2. Subscribers to ESPN+ can also watch on that network. The FC Cincinnati complete schedule can be watched via live stream on ESPN+ as well as a number of other network apps such as ABC and FOX. Full game replays are available 48 hours after any match on ESPN+.

HOME OF FC CINCINNATI

FC Cincinnati plays its home matches at Nippert Stadium, which is on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. The stadium is also home to the Bearcats football team. The stadium underwent a minor renovation in 2016 in order to accommodate the soccer team. Fans at home matches are limited to the lower bowl, which allows for a maximum seating capacity of about 25,000.

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

In its initial season in 2016, FC Cincinnati finished third in the USL with a record of 16-6-8. The club qualified for the playoffs but was beaten in the first round. That year, the club also competed in the USOC (Open Cup) and was eliminated in the third round.

Two years later, FC Cincinnati enjoyed its best season ever when the team finished first in the USL with a mark of 23-8-3. They advanced to the quarterfinals in the postseason and also to Round 4 of the USOC.

The 2019 season marked the club’s first in MLS play. FC Cincinnati has not had much success in its first two seasons of play finishing 12th in 2019 and 14th in 2020. The club did not qualify for the postseason in either year.

FC Cincy did, however, fare pretty well in the MLS Is Back Tournament last year. The club went 2-0-1 in group play to advance to the knockout stage. They were eliminated by Portland in the Round of 16.

BEST OF FC CINCINNATI

With such a short history, FC Cincinnati does not have a long list of accomplishments like some of the other more well-established MLS franchises. The team has had some outstanding individual play, especially during its time in the USL.

In its inaugural season in 2016, forward Sean Okoli was named the USL Most Valuable Player and goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt joined Okoli on the league’s first team. Defender Harrison Delbridge was a two-time first team All-Star for FC Cincinnati in 2016 and 2017. The club has yet to have a MLS All-Star.