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The 2018 FC Cincinnati season was the club's third season of existence, and their third in the United Soccer League (USL). It was FC Cincinnati's second season as a second-tier team in the U.S. soccer pyramid, as the United States Soccer Federation provisionally promoted the USL from Division III to Division II for the 2017 season. FC Cincinnati played in the Eastern Conference of the USL.
| 2018 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| General manager | Jeff Berding | |||
| Head coach | Alan Koch | |||
| Stadium | Nippert Stadium | |||
| USL | 1st (Eastern Conference) | |||
| USL Playoffs | Conference Semifinals | |||
| U.S. Open Cup | 4th round | |||
| Top goalscorer | Emmanuel Ledesma (16) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 31,478 (September 29 vs. Indy) | |||
| Lowest home attendance | 22,532 (May 5 vs. Atlanta 2) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 25,717 | |||
|
| ||||
This was the final season of the club's USL incarnation. On May 29, 2018, Major League Soccer awarded the FCC ownership group an expansion franchise, which began play in MLS under the FC Cincinnati name in 2019.[1]
On September 26, 2018, the club clinched their first USL Regular Season Championship with a 4–1 victory over the Richmond Kickers.[2]
Coaching staff
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Alan Koch |
| Assistant coach |  Yoann Damet |
| Goalkeeper coach |  Jack Stern |
| Technical director | Luke Sassano |
| Athletic Trainer | Aaron Powell |
| Strength & Conditioning | Austin Berry |
| UC Health | Dr. Angelo Colosimo Dr. Brian Grawe |
Roster
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On October 25, 2017, general manager Jeff Berding held a press conference to make the first announcements about the 2018 roster. The return of nine players from 2017 was confirmed at this press conference: Matt Bahner, Kenney Walker, Danni König, Corben Bone, Jimmy McLaughlin, Garrett Halfhill, Justin Hoyte, Sem de Wit, and Josu. Six additional players from the 2017 roster—Austin Berry, Mitch Hildebrandt, Djiby Fall, Harrison Delbridge, Andrew Wiedeman, and Paul Nicholson—were mentioned as still under consideration for 2018, pending contract discussions and future announcements. Berding also confirmed they would not renew contracts or exercise options for any other former players.[3] In the following weeks, Djiby Fall implied he would not be returning via Twitter,[4] and Paul Nicholson announced his retirement from professional soccer.[5]
The club began announcing new signings in November 2017. The team signed Israeli defender Dekel Keinan on November 10,[6] as well as Canadian forward Daniel Haber on November 15.[7]
On April 16, 2018, the club announced they had mutually agreed to part ways with defender Josu.[8]
On April 17, 2018, the club announced they had reach an agreement for the free release of defender Garrett Halfhill. Halfhill subsequently join the New York Cosmos B of the NPSL.[9]
On July 9, 2018, the club announced the free transfer of forward Daniel Haber to Ottawa Fury FC.
On July 30, 2018, forward Fanendo Adi was acquired from the Portland Timbers as the first MLS designated player for FC Cincinnati.[10] The club also announced the acquisition of midfielder Fatai Alashe from the San Jose Earthquakes.[11]
On August 1, 2018, the club announced the acquisition of defender Pa Konate from Serie A S.P.A.L.[12]
Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth.
| No. | Position | Player | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Evan Newton | United States |
| 2 | DF | Matt Bahner | United States |
| 3 | DF | Forrest Lasso | United States |
| 4 | MF | Tyler Gibson | United States |
| 5 | MF | Nazmi Albadawi | United States |
| 6 | MF | Kenney Walker | United States |
| 7 | FW | Russell Cicerone | United States
|
| 9 | FW | Fanendo Adi |  Nigeria |
| 10 | FW | Emery Welshman |  Guyana |
| 11 | FW | Danni König |  Denmark |
| 12 | DF | Pa Konate (on loan from SPAL) |  Sweden |
| 13 | MF | Michael Lahoud |  Sierra Leone
|
| 16 | MF | Richie Ryan |  Ireland |
| 17 | GK | Mark Village |  Canada |
| 18 | GK | Spencer Richey (on loan from Vancouver Whitecaps FC) | United States |
| 19 | MF | Corben Bone | United States |
| 20 | MF | Jimmy McLaughlin | United States |
| 21 | DF | Dekel Keinan |  Israel |
| 23 | DF | Blake Smith | United States |
| 24 | FW | Tomi Ameobi |  England |
| 27 | MF | Fatai Alashe (on loan from San Jose Earthquakes) | United States |
| 29 | DF | Paddy Barrett | Ireland |
| 32 | DF | Justin Hoyte |  Trinidad and Tobago |
| 45 | MF | Emmanuel Ledesma |  Argentina |
| 51 | DF | Sem de Wit |  Netherlands |
Win Draw Loss
USL
Results Table
| Matchday | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium | A | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | H | H | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | A |
| Result | W | W | L | D | D | W | W | W | L | W | L | W | W | D | W | D | W | D | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | D | D |
|text_H=Home|text_A=Away
| March 17, 2018 1 | Charleston Battery | 0–1 | FC Cincinnati | Charleston, South Carolina |
| 7:00 EDT | Guerra  51'van Schiak 80'Griffith  90+2' |
CIN Report CHS Report |
Smith  18'Laing 63'Lasso 85'König 90+2'Ryan 90+7' |
Stadium: MUSC Health Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
| March 31, 2018 2 | Indy Eleven | 0–1 | FC Cincinnati | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 7:00 EDT | Ferreira 41' McInerney 45+4' |
CIN Report IND Report |
Welshman 26' Keinan 54'Lasso 74' |
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium Attendance: 17,535 Referee: Malik Badawi |
| April 7, 2018 3 | FC Cincinnati | 0–1 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:00PM ET | Ledesma 35' Keinan 61'Laing 76' |
CIN Report LOU Report Box Score |
Lancaster 13' 47' Ilić 90+4' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 25,667 (USL record for home opener) Referee: Joseph Dickerson |
| April 15, 2018 4 | Bethlehem Steel FC | 1–1 | FC Cincinnati | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
| 3:00 EDT | Burke 15' 83' Chiluya 66' |
BTH Report | Albadawi 72' |
Stadium: Goodman Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Amber O'Connor Assistant referees: Gjovalin Bori Ben Pilgrim Fourth official: Michael Guzzetta |
| April 21, 2018 5 | FC Cincinnati | 2–2 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:00 EDT | König 59' Ledesma 68'Walker 78'Keinan 88'Laing 90+2' |
CIN Report PIT Report Box Score |
Dover 6' 36' Vancaeyezeele 73' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 24,505 Referee: Greg Dopka |
| April 28, 2018 6 | Ottawa Fury FC | 0–3 | FC Cincinnati | Ottawa, Ontario |
| 2:00 EDT | Reid 63' |
CIN Report OTT Report Box Score |
Lasso 50' Smith 57'Walker 68'Bone 69'Ledesma 56' 77' |
Stadium: TD Place Stadium Attendance: 2,785 |
| May 2, 2018 7 | Indy Eleven | 2–3 | FC Cincinnati | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 7:00 EDT | Jack McInerney 24' Ayoze 30' (pen.) 88' |
CIN report IND report Box score |
Kenney Walker 7' (pen.) 75' Jimmy McLaughlin 41'Corben Bone 54'Forrest Lasso 60'Emery Welshman 72' |
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium Attendance: 8,079 Referee: Marco de Oliveira Assistant referees: Joe Zawistowski Kevin Fikar Fourth official: Michael Nickerson |
| May 5, 2018 8 | FC Cincinnati | 4–2 | Atlanta United 2 | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:00 EDT | König 26' Ledesma 28' 48'Keinan 30'Bone 39' |
CIN Report ATL Report Box Score |
Gallagher 31' Kissiedou 37' 41'Carleton 87' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 22,532 Referee: Guido Gonzalez Jr. |
| May 12, 2018 9 | Charlotte Independence | 4–1 | FC Cincinnati | Matthews, North Carolina |
| 7:30 EDT | Cato 38' Ekra 45+2'Voser 57'Martínez 68'Zayed 87' |
CIN Report CLT Report Box Score |
Ledesma 45+1' König 51'Ryan 71'Lasso 75'Keinan 85' |
Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews Attendance: 2,314 Referee: Kevin Broadley |
| May 19, 2018 10 | FC Cincinnati | 4–1 | North Carolina FC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | Smith 29' Albadawi 11', 45'Ledesma 62' (pen.)König 69' 75' |
CIN Report NCFC Report |
Bekker 65' Lomis 86' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 22,884 Referee: Victor Rivas |
| May 26, 2018 11 | FC Cincinnati | 0–2 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | Barrett 28' Ryan 33'Keinan 81' |
CIN Report LOU Report |
Lancaster 15' Craig 55'Davis IV 73'Williams 85' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 26,495 |
| June 2, 2018 12 | New York Red Bulls II | 1–2 | FC Cincinnati | Harrison, New Jersey |
| 1:00 EDT | Moreno 7' Stauffer 69' |
CIN Report NYRB Report Box Score |
Welshman 52' Barrett 61'Ledsema 65'Ryan 71'König 77' |
Stadium: Red Bull Arena Attendance: 613 Referee: Ismir Pekmic |
| June 9, 2018 13 | North Carolina FC | 0–2 | FC Cincinnati | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 EDT | CIN Report NCFC Report |
Ledesma 36' König 37' 52'Hoyte 72'McLaughlin 87' |
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 4,039 Referee: Mark Allatin |
| June 13, 2018 14 | FC Cincinnati | 2–2 | Bethlehem Steel FC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | Albadawi 66' Cicerone 68' |
CIN Report BTH Report |
Jones 29' Mbaizo 52'Herbers 69' 86' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 22,407 Referee: Marcos de Oliveira Assistant referees: Cory Richardson Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein Fourth official: Jason Ulrich |
| June 16, 2018 15 | FC Cincinnati | 4–0 | Richmond Kickers | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | Ledesma 8', 67' Albadawi 36'König 60'Welshman 82'Keinan 90+1' |
CIN Report RIC Report |
Cordovés 33' Williams 90' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 28,026 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic Assistant referees: Jeffrey Swartzel Adrienne McDonald Fourth official: Luke Sobota |
| June 27, 2018 16 | Toronto FC II | 3–3 | FC Cincinnati | Toronto, Ontario |
| 7:00 EDT | Akinola 28' Bjornethun 45'Boskovic 70'Hamilton 75'Campbell 88' |
CIN Report TOR Report |
Albadawi 8' Welshman 38'Ledesma 40' |
Stadium: Lamport Stadium Attendance: 288 Referee: Fabrizio Stasolla |
| June 30, 2018 17 | FC Cincinnati | 2–0 | Ottawa Fury FC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | König 16' Smith 86'Albadawi 90+2' |
CIN Report OTT Report Box score |
Oliveira 71' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 27,107 Referee: Daniel Gutierrez |
| July 7, 2018 18 | Nashville SC | 0–0 | FC Cincinnati | Nashville, Tennessee |
| 8:30 EDT | Moloto 15' |
CIN Report NSH Report |
Keinan 17' |
Stadium: Nissan Stadium Attendance: 18,228 Referee: Lorant Varga |
| July 14, 2018 19 | FC Cincinnati | 2–0 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | Ledesma 54', 63' König 84' |
CIN Report TBR Report |
Flemmings 23' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 25,416 Referee: Malik Badawi |
| July 18, 2018 20 | FC Cincinnati | 2–0 | Charlotte Independence | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | Keinan 7' Lasso 20'Ledesma 67'Welshman 87' |
CIN Report CLT Report |
Duckett 28' Zayed 65'Voser 87' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 25,251 Referee: Jon Freemon |
| July 21, 2018 21 | FC Cincinnati | 2–1 | New York Red Bulls II | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | Lasso 17' Barrett 22', 35'Smith 60' |
CIN Report NYRB Report |
Tinari 14' König 25' (o.g.)Barlow 53'Stauffer 80' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 23,602 Referee: Michael Radchuk |
| August 4, 2018 22 | FC Cincinnati | 1–1 | Nashville SC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | König 1', 71' Lasso 30'Walker 60' |
CIN Report NSH Report |
Hume 85' Mensah 90+1'Davis 90+3' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 27,426 Referee: Ismir Pekmic |
| August 12, 2018 23 | FC Cincinnati | 1–0 | Penn FC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 6:00 EDT | Ledesma 80' |
CIN Report PENN Report |
Baffoe 43' Tribbett 79'Mkosana 83' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 24,249 Referee: Mark Allatin |
| August 18, 2018 24 | FC Cincinnati | 3–0 | Charleston Battery | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | Ledesma 13', 21' Bone 45+1'Barrett 53'Thomas 90+5' (o.g.) |
CIN Report | Anunga 30' Svantesson 87' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 27,142 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza Assistant referees: Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein James Duling Fourth official: Luke Sobota |
| August 22, 2018 25 | Atlanta United 2 | 1–5 | FC Cincinnati | Lawrenceville, Georgia |
| 7:00 EDT | Bello 16' Nicklaw 65'Gallagher 90+1' |
CIN Report ATL Report |
Bone 18' Albadawi 25', 55'Konate 36'Alashe 45+1', 53'Welshman 87' |
Stadium: Coolray Field Attendance: 1,638 Referee: JJ Bilinsk |
| August 25, 2018 26 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 1–2 | FC Cincinnati | St. Petersburg, Florida |
| 7:30 EDT | Taku 1' Cole 15'Poku 43', 75'Portillos 68'Oduro 80'Diakité 82'  85' |
Report | Ledesma 2' (pen.), 86' (pen.) Smith 50' 62'Barrett 88'Newton 90+2' |
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 5,963 Referee: Kevin Broadley |
| September 1, 2018 27 | FC Cincinnati | 2–1 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | Lasso 38' Keinan 80' Adi 88', 88' |
USL Report CIN Report |
Parkes 57' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 25,735 Referee: Joseph Dickerson |
| September 11, 2018 28 | Louisville City FC | 0–1 | FC Cincinnati | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 7:00 EDT | DelPiccolo 90+3' |
USL Report CIN Report |
Bone 23' Richey 90+2' |
Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 10,009 Referee: Joshua Brooks |
| September 16, 2018 29 | FC Cincinnati | 4–3 | Toronto FC II | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 4:30 EDT | Lasso 31' Adi 45+2' Bone 78', 88' |
Report CIN Report |
Endoh 24', 45+4', 73' Johnson 29' Hundal 63' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 27,275 Referee: Lorant Varga |
| September 22, 2018 30 | Penn FC | 1–2 | FC Cincinnati | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| 7:00 EDT | Calvano 7' Paulo 33'Osae 45+1' |
CIN Report PENN Report |
König 7' Ledesma 32', 68'Bone 84' |
Stadium: FNB Field Attendance: 3,117 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
| September 26, 2018 31 | Richmond Kickers | 1–4 | FC Cincinnati | Richmond, Virginia |
| 7:00 EDT | Eaton 14' Cordovés 32' Luiz Fernando 50' Sekyere 72' Shanosky 85' |
CIN Report RIC Report Report |
Albadawi 16' Ledesma 40', 44', 45+3' Alashe 45+5' Welshman 63' |
Stadium: City Stadium Attendance: 1,519 Referee: Nickrod Fateh |
| September 29, 2018 32 | FC Cincinnati | 3–0 | Indy Eleven | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| 7:30 EDT | König 31', 65' Adi 34' Mitchell 74' (o.g.) |
CIN Report IND Report Report |
Matern 31' |
Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 31,478 (USL record) Referee: Timothy Ford |
| October 6, 2018 33 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 0–0 | FC Cincinnati | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 7:00 EDT | CIN Report PIT Report Report |
Lasso 35' |
Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 3,205 Referee: Eric Tattersall |
| October 13, 2018 34 | Nashville SC | 3–3 | FC Cincinnati | Nashville, Tennessee |
| 8:30 EDT | Hume 5' LaGrassa 40'Allen 80'Akinyode 90' |
CIN Report | Albadawi 39', 63' Bone 52', 81' |
Stadium: First Tennessee Park Attendance: 9,083 Referee: Marcos DeOliveira |
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Cincinnati (X) | 34 | 23 | 8 | 3 | 72 | 34 | +38 | 77 | Conference Playoffs |
| 2 | Louisville City FC (C) | 34 | 19 | 9 | 6 | 71 | 38 | +33 | 66 | |
| 3 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 34 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 47 | 26 | +21 | 59 | |
| 4 | Charleston Battery | 34 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 47 | 34 | +13 | 56 | |
| 5 | New York Red Bulls II | 34 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 71 | 59 | +12 | 52 |
Source: 2018 USL standings
Rules for classification: 1) total wins; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 5) disciplinary points; 6) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champions; (X) Regular Season League Champion
Rules for classification: 1) total wins; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 5) disciplinary points; 6) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champions; (X) Regular Season League Champion
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