Match Wits

Welcome back to soccer season, Cincy!

If you’re a parent of young kids, you know that taking them anywhere—let alone a loud, crowded sports stadium—is basically an extreme sport. But this past weekend, we decided to brave the opening FC Cincinnati match at TQL Stadium with our two girls: Rosie (2) and Ruby (11 months).

This wasn't technically their first rodeo. We took them to Family Day last year when Ruby was just a tiny 8-week-old potato. But this was the first match where Rosie actually understood what was happening. We watch a lot of soccer on TV at home, so to borrow a phrase from a certain famous cartoon dog, Rosie was absolutely thrilled to see soccer "for real life."

If you haven't been to TQL Stadium, the pre-match energy is electric, and Rosie was completely mesmerized. Between the dramatic pulling of the sword and the pre-game fireworks, her mind was blown before the clock even started. It’s loud, it’s flashy, and for a two-year-old, it’s basically Disney World but with more orange and blue.

While my husband and I normally stand in the Bailey, we had comfortable seats in the Cincinnatus Club this time around, which I highly recommend if you’re wrangling babies. The extra space is a lifesaver. Thanks to our seats in the Club we also got a surprise visit from Gary the Lion! Meeting a giant, winged lion was exactly what Rosie needed to keep her spirits high.

Of course, it wouldn't be a true parenting story if everything went perfectly. In classic toddler fashion, a sudden, urgent potty break meant we completely missed FCC’s first goal. If you heard cheering while you were washing your hands in the stadium bathroom, solidarity, my friends. We’ve all been there.

Thankfully, we made it back to our seats before the second goal and witnessed Nick Hagglund’s beautiful header right at the end of the match. The stadium erupted, and Rosie was right there with them, dancing and cheering her little heart out right along with The Bailey.

As for 11-month-old Ruby? She could not have cared less about the beautiful game. She was far more interested in the food and the lights. TQL Stadium's french fries are officially Ruby-approved, and she spent a solid hour just staring in awe at the glowing ribbon board behind our seats. Hey, whatever keeps them happy, right? Eventually, all that stadium excitement (and the fry-induced carb crash) took its toll, and our littlest fan was fast asleep before the final whistle even blew.

FCC took home a 2-0 win, and we took home two very tired, very happy little girls. Taking toddlers to a professional soccer match takes a little extra planning (and a lot of snacks), but seeing the magic of the game through their eyes makes every missed goal and spilled fry completely worth it.

– Shae Huth Combs