They represent an element antagonistic to the MLS model. Expansion is part of Miami FC’s story because the club is trying to carve out a successful existence in Miami despite the specter of the top division coming to town in the very near future. The NASL club has an ambitious owner, a famous coach and a rising profile in the area. Stories reporting on David Beckham’s effort to bring the league back to South Florida don’t often mention Miami FC. The city they play in does have an expansion story unfolding within it. Miami FC isn’t tied to an MLS expansion bid. It was a big crowd people will use to argue that Cincinnati deserves a Major League Soccer team. It wasn’t just a big crowd out to support a team from a second division against a team from the topflight. That gives ESPN what it loves most, a compelling story line. They’re among the dozen cities vying for the league’s attention. FC Cincinnati is a remarkable story aside from their bid for one of the four MLS expansion slots. There was another factor at play, of course, and it came up on the broadcast: MLS expansion. A combination of a hole in the network’s schedule, familiarity with FC Cincinnati’s venue due to college football, and the big crowd prompted a rapid move to cover the game. By virtue of a coin flip held at US Soccer headquarters prior to the round of 16, Miami will host the game between NASL and USL teams in two weeks’ time.įor Cincinnati, their incredible showing at the gate helped entice ESPN into broadcasting the game on their flagship channel. Alessandro Nesta’s team got a late winner from Kwadwo Poku to oust Atlanta in that club’s first US Open Cup campaign. He’s already a hero in Cincinnati soccer circles no matter what happens in the next round of the tournament.įC Cincinnati’s next opponent will be the only other second division team left, the NASL’s Miami FC. This time it took penalties for the Ohioans to win, with goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt stopping three Fire spot kicks to lead his team to victory. More than 32,000 fans filled Nippert Stadium to see FC Cincinnati, a second-year club playing in the USL, beat a second consecutive MLS side in this year’s edition of the US Open Cup. By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 30, 2017) US Soccer Players – The scene in Cincinnati on Wednesday night would have been mind blowing if it wasn’t so similar to the scene just two weeks ago in the same stadium.