FC Cincinnati: The Greatest Story in MLS History?

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From the worst team in Major League Soccer to Supporters' Shield champions, we highlight the remarkable rise of FC Cincinnati.

When FC Cincinnati joined MLS as an expansion franchise back in 2019, big things were expected of the newcomers.

However, the Ohio outfit ended up finishing rock bottom of the standings in their debut season, winning just six of their 34 games.

To make matters worse, Cincinnati finished dead last in 2020 and 2021, picking up only eight victories in 57 matches across the two campaigns.

Accordingly, the Orange and Blue were labelled as one of the worst teams in MLS history.

In 2022, however, Cincy made vast improvements, finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference and tenth in the overall standings.

They even managed to defeat the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup Playoffs, although they eventually fell to the Philadelphia Union in the Conference Semifinals.

Despite last year’s efforts, nobody could have predicted what would happen in 2023. Indeed, the Orange and Blue recently clinched the Supporters’ Shield, making them the best regular-season team in Major League Soccer this year.

Managed by 43-year-old Missouri native Pat Noonan, Cincinnati have lost just four of their 31 matches this season, picking up 19 wins and eight draws along the way. As a result, they find themselves 11 points clear atop the Eastern Conference with three games remaining.

Boasting a win ratio of 61.2%, the Ohioans have been the best team in MLS by some distance this year. Only two teams in the entire league have conceded fewer goals than Cincinnati’s 35, while only three sides have scored more goals than Cincy’s 53.

Impressively, Noonan’s men average 1.7 goals per game in 2023. With 15 goals and 10 assists to his name, Luciano Acosta leads the race for both the Golden Boot and MVP Award. Brandon Vazquez has also impressed, contributing eight goals and two assists, while Alvaro Barreal has chipped in with four goals and six assists.

At the opposite end of the pitch, goalkeeper Roman Celentano has kept 11 clean sheets in 31 appearances, giving him a shutout ratio of 35.5%. Meanwhile, Yerson Mosquera has established himself as an MLS Defender of the Year favourite.

Now, the big question is – can Cincinnati build on their Supporters’ Shield triumph and secure the MLS Cup? The Ohio outfit have already dominated the regular season, but they will be eager to go one better during the postseason.

Whatever happens between now and the end of the campaign, FC Cincinnati must be praised for their determination.

Following three successive last-placed finishes in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Orange and Blue are now Supporters’ Shield champions.