Best Foot Forward
The universal reaction to the 10 year anniversary of FC Cincinnati was, “Has it been that long already?” FC Cincinnati’s meteoric rise from the USL to MLS is well documented and well worth the weekend-long celebration for fans, players and alumni.
The party started Saturday, Aug. 9 as FC Cincinnati fans and their families gathered at University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium, FCC’s first home, to kick off the club’s 10-year anniversary festivities with the FCC3 presented by Medpace. The 3-mile run/walk took fans through the club’s history—starting at the historic Nippert and ending at modern TQL Stadium in the West End. Participants of all ages enjoyed a welcoming atmosphere, complete with finisher medals, race shirts, and a family-friendly vibe, including games and selfies with past players.
Photos: Tasha Pinelo
Sunday’s celebrations continued with the 6 p.m. MLS home match against Charlotte FC at TQL Stadium, featuring 10th-anniversary pre-match activations such as meet-and-greets with FC Cincinnati legends, trivia contests, and giveaways including pennants and posters, while fans were encouraged to contribute items to a time capsule at Washington Park to mark the anniversary
Inside the stadium, fans experienced the club’s signature pre-match rituals—sword pulls, pyro displays, and a ceremonial game ball—and got to reminisce with a “memory lane” board and gaming station, all celebrating the team’s journey from USL roots to MLS prominence.
Once the match concluded, the club staged its first-ever Alumni Friendly match courtesy of Toyota—an energetic post-match bout featuring more than 25 former players split into two teams: the Orange and Blue Legacy kit “Blue Team” and the Canvas kit “White Team.” The alumni squads featured storied names like former captain Austin Berry, USL stalwarts Jimmy McLaughlin, Corben Bone, and Kenney Walker, club ambassador Omar Cummings, and University of Cincinnati alum Matt Bahner on the Blue side, while the White Team spotlighted MLS and USL stars such as Emmanuel Ledesma, Djiby Fall, Danni König, Kendall Waston, Mathieu Deplagne, and Academy coaches Justin Hoyte and Richie Ryan.
The celebratory weekend concluded on Monday with FC Cincinnati Foundation’s inaugural Celebrity Golf Classic, presented by TQL, held at Four Bridges Country Club. Eighteen foursomes, each paired with an FC Cincinnati legend or current soccer staff member, teed off for a round of golf that combined camaraderie, nostalgia, and community impact. Proceeds from the outing benefit a new scholarship program administered by the Foundation to support students from Cincinnati’s West End attending the University of Cincinnati,
FC Cincinnati's 10-Year Anniversary Weekend was a heartfelt blend of nostalgia, community spirit, and forward-looking contributions. Starting with the friendly and spirited FCC3 run/walk, the celebration progressed through a night of matchday magic, alumni reunions, and fan engagement, culminating in a charitable Celebrity Golf Classic. Across three unforgettable days—from August 9 to 11—FCC honored its journey from Nippert to MLS while giving fans a meaningful way to celebrate the past and support the future.