Major League Soccer hopefuls FC Cincinnati is still waiting to hear whether or not their future will include playing in the top-flight. In the meantime, the Orange & Blue have not shied away from building a top-flight roster heading into their third USL season.
Cincinnati announced a head coaching change to Alan Koch just four weeks before the 2017 season began. Despite an up-and-down USL season that saw them finish in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, the club made waves with a deep run to the semi-finals of the US Open Cup, including dramatic victories over league rivals and eventual USL champs Louisville City, in-state rivals Columbus Crew, lower division powerhouse Miami FC, and MLS Cup (and World Cup) contenders Chicago Fire, before falling to New York Red Bulls in extra time.