In some respects, FC Cincinnati’s story - apart from the USL part - is much like that of Atlanta United: a brand new soccer team (introduced in 2015, playing since 2016) that has quickly broken attendance records and has yet to see that wave of support die down. That was before and after last year’s dream U.S. Open Cup run, aided in part by current Atlanta keeper Mitch Hildebrandt, that ended against the New York Red Bulls in the semifinals in front of over 33,000 fans at Nippert Stadium.
It’s certainly caught the attention of MLS.