Supporting a Fantastic Local Organization

Back in March, before the preseason friendly at Xavier, we and our friends in The Pride engaged in a wager at Listermann Brewing Company.

Each SG sponsored a special variety of Listermann's Shamrock Shake. First SG to finish/sell the contents of their mini keg would get all the proceeds donated to a charity of their choice. DI members cleaned house and this past Saturday we were proud to present our winnings to the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati along with an additional $100 on behalf of our group.

Thanks to DSAGC for all the great work they do in our community, thanks to Listermann's for their help and support, thanks to The Pride for drinking with us. We'd especially like to thank our wonderful members for knowing how to drink beer!

Off and Running + A Valuable Lesson About Value Haircut Sponsors

Photo credit: Linsinnati

Word's by DI member and Bailey drummer Bob Brumberg (brought to you by SuperCuts)

And we're off.

Hot damn it felt good to be back at Nippert. I'm not sure FC Cincinnati's home opener could have gone any better (tifo deployment aside (loved the enthusiasm, but let's wait till AFTER the national anthem next time)). On the heels of Djiby's 4-goal performance, the Orange and Blue cut St. Louis in half and thrilled the 23,000+ at Nippert. It may have been the best atmosphere I've experienced in the Bailey. In addition to Djiby's record night, FCC began a 3-game homestand against a trio of the top teams in the USL by giving St. Louis their first loss of the season. Tip of the cap to the traveling St. Louligans for making the journey and keeping their voice until the end.

So that brings us to Louisville week. The Kentuckyiana Chevy Dealers GE Appliances Louisville CIty Football Club presented by Humana travel up I-71 to face the Toyota Knifey Soccer Lion Kings of Cincinnati. Ronny will be along shortly to give you his Toyota Camry Keys to the Game. More on Loisville in a minute.

Before the thousands of.....i mean couple hundred of...let's just be realistic here...

Before the couple dozen Purple Army of Halloween characters invade Nippert Saturday, the Tampa Bay Lemon-Limes that play in St. Petersburg come to town in another Eastern Conference showdown. Sadly, this mid-week matchup won’t get the attention it deserves because of the pending Dirty River Derby and the fact it’s mid-week. But Wednesday's tilt has fairly big implications on the table (and $2 beers). FCC can move into a tie for 3rd with a win and set up a battle for 1st on Saturday. New to the USL this season, TampaSt.PeteBay brings former Chelsea star Joe Cole with them along with a 3-1-0 record. Suffering their first loss at the hands of LouCity's dominant pitching and base-running, the Rowdies will certainly look to rebound Wednesday. Let's bring the same atmosphere to the Bailey that we saw Saturday.

But I really came here to write about our friends down the river. This last week has been pretty eventful for LCFC's main supporter's group The Coopers. Because on Thursday, this happened: 

45 minutes before Saturday's game, check out the @GreatClips March to the Match in the lot West of Slugger Field! pic.twitter.com/DyNqmiJ3DU

— Louisville City FC (@loucityfc) April 14, 2017

Wow. Jackpot. Some jokes write themselves.

This might even make us forget they play on a baseball field (eh, probably not).

 Here are the bullet points as I understand them (Coopers released a statement here):

·         Coopers started a march to the match, similar to what our SGs do

·         Corporate marketing stooges see march, get idea, pitch to club FO

·         Club FO approaches Coopers with idea, possible video paid by shoddy haircut place

·         Coopers lay ground rules (no branding the march, etc)

·         Video released with 'Discount Haircut Place March to the Match' branding

·         Meltdown

I could feel the Cincy faithful licking their lips at this gift that was dropped into our lap. But let's take a step back shall we?

I think we can all agree that Supporters’ Groups play a substantial role in the matchday experience. And one of the reasons is the independent nature of SGs. It’s safe to say we have a good relationship with FCC's front office, and from the very beginning they have been open with communication and willing to work with the SGs. The Coopers can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe they would have shared similar feelings about their own FO up until Thursday.

We have to remember that the FO is in the business to make money.  But there is a line. Sure, they use videos of us in their commercials and pictures of us on their website (so does the league). All those flags, scarves, and smoke make for a compelling sales pitch right? By and large we're cool with that because we are allowed to bring in drums, raise up tifos, and set off smoke. However, the relationship is certainly a delicate one. Generally speaking, SGs maintain a healthy skepticism of FOs and their motivations.

Photo credit: Linsinnati

Look, I get it. Sponsors are important. Clubs aren't charities. That's why Toyota is across the front of our shirt and Republic Bank is on LCFC's sleeve. Without these partnerships there wouldn't be an FC Cincinnati or Louisville City FC. They pay the bills. That seemed to be the excuse given to the Coopers for the egregious branding of an organic supporters' initiative. Even worse, based on the Coopers' president's statement, the club suggested they need to lie down and accept it (my words). Like I said, there is a line. And LCFC leapt over it with a running start. They took something that was created, organized, and executed by passionate fans and sold it off without permission. I'd be pissed too. Not everything is for sale.

And don't you think for a second that it couldn't happen here. Again, we have a very good relationship with the FO. Carl, Jeff, et al are incredibly nice people...and incredibly smart businessmen. They have made no secret of their intentions to get to MLS. MLS costs money. Sponsors = money. And sponsors love to be seen. SGs are very visible in the matchday experience. See where I'm going with this?

I thought about this a lot on Saturday as I looked up at the Bailey. I thought about everything Die Innenstadt has done, what every SG has done, to create the atmosphere at Nippert. It’s you that make the match. Your marching, chanting, yelling, cheering, tifo painting, flag waiving, etc. And for a club to take that energy and auction it off, to me, seems unconscionable.

Now, I'm confident FCC would never attempt to brand our march or rename the Bailey as the "PNC Power Zone" (if they do that, I want a cut), but the point is that it could. Because Louisville did, and I'm willing to bet before last week the Coopers would have thought the same thing. To be fair, it appears the FO has reached out to the Coopers with a view to make things right. But the damage has been done.

So yes, we’re going to give them s**t for it, particularly because of all the 'plastic' talk directed our way last season. There will be chants, social media banter, maybe a 2-pole or sign. But truthfully, I do feel for them. The club did them dirty. They sold something they had no rights to. Sure we're rivals, but we're all supporters. We love our cities, and we love our clubs. Come Saturday we'll loudly express our dislike for the team that plays on a baseball field (didn’t forget after all), taunt the 30 or so traveling fans, and then invite them back to Mecklenburg's for a liter. I suggest you join us.

Juncta Juvant

Bob

Don't forget to order your DI t-shirts for the "blackout" match. 

The shirt borrows a quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem from which Cincinnati received her nickname, the "Queen City." They're $15 apiece and can be ordered here. Please note that no shipping is available. We'll have them available for pickup at Mecklenburg Gardens before the match starting at 2 PM. We will not be bringing them to the stadium with us. Shirts can also be purchased day of, but we strongly recommend you pre-order.

Facebook event

---

Bob Brumberg is a DI member and Bailey drummer. Follow him on Twitter.

Want to write something for the DI blog? Talk to Ronny.

It's Gonna Be One Hell of a Week...

The club started on the road due to Nippert renovations, but the boys are finally returning for the home opener and have a busy schedule featuring three matches in one week. 

Say what you will about the season so far, and critique the play all you wish, but there's no denying that road trip to Pittsburgh (and win) was awesome. Rhinehaus has been a wonderful host of many great watch parties, and we've still got mugs for sale there that help support a local soccer charity. For now though, it's time to focus on some home matches and if you're like us, you're pretty excited for this coming week of events.

So here's what's going on:

April 15: Home Opener Against St. Louis

It's time to kick this season off properly and we're going to start early on Saturday, April 15th. We'll be in the beautiful biergarten of Mecklenburg Gardens starting at noon. Come drink several liters before our traditional march through uptown to the stadium. 

St. Louis is coming to town on the heels of their MLS bid getting some bad news from the local voters, but on the pitch they look solid. As of this writing, they've drawn against Loisville while having secured wins over NY2 and Ottawa. Back in the USL's Eastern Conference this season, this is FCC's first of three meetings against STL. 

Facebook event.

---

April 19: Tampa Bay Rowdies

dafuq.jpg

Don't be fooled by Tampa Bay's silly sock mascot (yes, it's a sock), the Rowdies are possibly the hottest team in the USL right now. Defectors of the NASL, Tampa Bay is new to our league this season and has started things off with three straight wins and a squad that looks very strong. They'll play against Loisville, which should be an interesting match, before making a stop in Cincinnati. It's a mid-week match and we'll be at Mecklenburg starting around 4 PM on April 19th. 

Facebook event.

---

April 22: Loisville City and the "Blackout"

Image credit: the always talented Queen City War Pigs

To round out three matches in one week, our friends in Loisville are coming to town again. I'm sure they'll bring the "thousands" of fans they purported to bring last time (it's hard to properly count when looking through the mask of your super hero costume). The club has designated this game as a "blackout" to coincide with the wearing of the third kit. To commemorate the occasion, we've got a special DI t-shirt lined up:

The shirt borrows a quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem from which Cincinnati received her nickname, the "Queen City." They're $15 apiece and can be ordered here. Please note that no shipping is available. We'll have them available for pickup at Mecklenburg Gardens before the match starting at 2 PM. We will not be bringing them to the stadium with us. Shirts can also be purchased day of, but we strongly recommend you pre-order.

Facebook event

---

We're looking forward to seeing everyone back at Mecklenburg Gardens again, for the march to the stadium, and to be back in The Bailey. We'll see everyone there starting this Saturday. 

Juncta Juvant!

Our 2017 Scarf

Created through a collaboration between our members, with the final design crafted by member Mike Dew: our 2017 scarf.

11 blue Ohio River waves represent each player taking the pitch and the 12th represents us; the supporters who stand with our club.

Die Innenstadt memberships cost $20 and include one of these scarves as well as a DI logo sticker. The scarves are currently being manufactured and this year we'll have the ability to ship them out. However, we'll also have them available for pickup at a pre-season event. Details on that soon.

Stay tuned... 

Purchase memberships/scarves here.

Look to the Future, but Appreciate What You Have

When I was a kid, I really wanted one of those K’nex roller coaster sets, but Christmas was far away and my parents were most definitely not going to run out and just buy me one. So I enjoyed what I had. I broke out a ton of Lego’s and started building supports on the table. I used toothpicks to create the coaster rails. In the end, it didn’t at all work like the K’nex one on television, but I was damn proud of my Lego creation and left it set up for months. I never even got the K’nex set, didn't really think about it again once I started pouring out the plastic bricks.

Who didn't want this when they were a kid?

These days, I’ve got the same attitude about a lot of things. I love visiting Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. At one time, I deeply envied a lot of what those cities have. Why couldn’t Cincinnati be that way? Why did we screw ‘this’ up back in the 19th, 20th, and early 21st centuries? Then I learned to just fully embrace the Queen City and appreciate it for its own unique attributes, to learn its history, to be positive for the future and work towards what it can truly become. I can think of a number of stories where our city/region/area has misstepped and espouse several examples. I’ve poured over the stories of the Stingers and their failure to get into the NHL, I’ve stood in the abandoned subway tunnels, and I’ve walked through the forgotten parts of a once booming airport. While I’ve learned from history, I’ve also learned to not overlook what we do have and during these early days of FC Cincinnati, I think it’s a lesson we can all keep in mind.

I’m not going to sit here and pretend to be some holier-than-thou, skull bandana wearing evangelist who is telling you the proper way to support. I won’t hide it: I WANT to see FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer, playing at this nation’s highest level. I do think there’s a good chance of that happening and I enjoyed the day when Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber came to visit. I sang the chants, took the day off to hang out with Die Innenstadt friends, marched from the bar, went to the Woodward when he spoke, etc. I certainly felt it was important that we made a strong impression that reflected the massive amount of support this team has. I feel we made our case, but something struck me and it was more realized as I spoke with fellow DI Members in the ensuing days. The potential for FC Cincinnati to join MLS, to bring the city of Cincinnati a third top-tier sports franchise, and to keep raising the profile of this city and its people is all incredibly exciting. I can definitely see it on the horizon. At the same time though, we must truly appreciate what we do have. Whether our club is vying for MLS or just trying to make it in USL, they deserve the strongest possible support we can bring. I hope the Commissioner was impressed, but more so, I want to see even more people on the march through Uptown, picking up a paintbrush at tifo nights in Brighton, and at Rhinehaus in OTR during away matches. I want to hear more unique chants develop, for support to continue growing throughout the city and region. All that can happen whether we’re tapped for MLS or not.

While I’m keeping an eye on the news, what I most look forward to is warmer weather and enjoying the biergarten with some of the best people I know in the heart of our fair city. I’m looking forward to marching, to matches, to continuing the Dirty River Derby, to getting revenge on Charleston, and to watching this club play a competitive and successful season. One day, I’d love to see John Harkes hoist the MLS Cup in the air under a Losantiville sky. For now though, I’m content to watch him and the ‘Boys in Blurange’ hunt for the USL cup.

What we have in USL is incredible. Let’s not forget that and never take it for granted. Look to the future, but appreciate what you have. Not to get overly cliche, but as the song states: where this team goes, “we’ll follow.” In the meantime though, first and foremost: “we support the ‘Nati.”

Regards,

Ronny Salerno

Thank You

The sun sets on Nippert Stadium following the last match of the season. 

I can still remember six years ago when the Cincinnati Reds were swept in the 2010 National League Division Series, their first playoff appearance in 15 years. That season had been incredibly important to me, I attended 33 games that season. 30 at home, three on the road. After two losses in Philadelphia, the Reds came back to their home, hoping to turn the tide, one game from elimination. I was there and felt the air get sucked out of the ballpark when Scott Rolen struck out. It was an emotional moment, the end of something truly special to me. 

I still love the Reds, still follow them, always will. Admittedly though, I never made it down to the ballpark this year. This happened not so much because I’m a “fair weather” fan and this baseball season was abysmal, more so the amount of time I wanted to dedicate to investing in following sports. FC Cincinnati had captured my attention ever since the team was announced in the summer of 2015. I love the stories of upstart sports franchises, how soccer is growing in the United States, and specifically in regards to this sport: how the teams become part of the community. FC Cincinnati General Manager Jeff Berding spelled it out in many of his interviews: the fans who follow this team aren’t just soccer fans, they’re fans of Cincinnati. So when the chance came up to join with fellow like minded people who deeply love the place they call home, I jumped at it. I was able to be Die Innenstadt member No. 3 (Dale Earnhardt, RIP). We started with small gatherings, but when we marched in Bockfest, the ideals of civic pride were reinforced: we carried banners of the team right along with the flag of our city. 

It had been my cautious hope that the people of Cincinnati would provide this club with the attendance numbers to meet the league average. On occasion, maybe we’d get 10,000+ fans in attendance, a feat rarely achieved in the United Soccer League. As we waited for the home opener, we enjoyed the preseason at Xavier, crowded barrooms to watch away matches and then we brought 14,000+ into Nippert, the start of blowing attendance projections out of the water. Rival fans called us “plastic” and criticized FC Cincinnati’s ambitions even as we made the 1.5 mile climb up the Ohio Ave. steps from Rhinegeist to the stadium, but things were just getting started. We found a wonderful home at Mecklenburg Gardens, bolstered by the fantastic staff and the city’s German heritage. On away days, we filled up Rhinehaus down in the urban core, where another great group of hospitable employees took care of us as our city grew with the addition of the streetcar on 12th street out front. Over the past decade, Cincinnati has grown so much with a renewed energy of civic pride and the team on Nippert’s pitch has joined with and promoted that cause. It's beautiful.

It feels like more than just one season. In such a short amount of time, Die Innenstadt has brought together so many people from so many different places. We’ve organized for charity, to host overseas visitors, to pack busses to Louisville, and to support our team - always cheering them off even when we didn’t like the score line. It’s the people of Cincinnati who helped propel this club to where it’s at and it’s the members of Die Innenstadt who have helped make this such a memorable year for me. To everyone who marched with us, cheered with us, banged on a drum, helped create a TIFO /two-stick, clinked their beer glass, and who proudly wore a scarf emblazoned with “Juncta Juvant:” 

THANK YOU!

Photo Credit: Alex Vehr

Last week, when the final whistle was blown, I didn’t feel the air get sucked out of a stadium like I had in 2010. There was a brief moment where I thought: wow, it’s really over, and then the cheering started. The Bailey erupted in applause and vocal support for the team that fought hard all season long and the franchise that defied everyone’s preconceptions. I was more than proud to join with everyone, to turn around with the megaphone and sing: “We Love Ya” once more. Mitch Hildebrandt threw up his gloves into The Bailey. Both myself and Bob went to catch them, Bob emerging victorious. He turned to me and handed me one and we hugged. Who knows if I ever would’ve met Bob had it not been for Die Innenstadt? And on that note, how many of the other 500+ members would I have met, had the chance to share a beer with, to converse with, and to create memories with?

I’ll never forget it and I'll always treasure it.

Thanks for the great keepsake, Mitch!

It’s not over though. Just as we all stayed to keep cheering on the team as they exited the field, how we all went back to Mecklenburg together and sang to Jimmy McLaughlin and hear the words of Jeff Berding: Die Innenstadt was re-energized. It’s only a few months to March, till we get to do this all again and cheer on our team as well as our city. Stay tuned.

Stand with Die Innenstadt. 

Stand with Cincinnati. 

Juncta Juvant! 

Just a small fraction of the 500+ members who joined Die Innenstadt in its inaugural year! 

Stay tuned in the near future for some info on offseason events. 

Also, I need to say a huge thanks to Tom Niehaus who has edited all these posts for me and put up with me all year long. He's the man and another great friend made through Die Innenstadt. 

---

Ronny Salerno is a founding member of Die Innenstadt as well as an author and photographer who appreciates history and Waffle House coffee. He also is one of the guys with a megaphone, apparently that's called a "capo," but he's not quite that ultra. 

Tom Niehaus is an awesome guy who edits these posts for him and offers creative contributions. 

In Our Own Words

On August 12, 2015, just one year ago, the formation of FC Cincinnati was announced. To celebrate the club’s founding, Die Innenstadt presents a look back at the Crystal Palace match on July 14, 2016.

Captured here are the reflections of our own Ronny Salerno on that historic match between an American 1st year club and an EPL club in its 111th year, as well as quotes that day from many others. 

- Tom Niehaus

I handed off the megaphone to someone else, the amount of people surging into the front of The Bailey was too much. Annoyed, I went to the top and decided to take in the game from up there. I wanted to enjoy the match, not fight for space. The rest of the stadium was filling up, even the upper deck on the east side. Not even a year before, there was no FCC, no Die Innenstadt. Yet, there it all was before me: 35,000 fans and many of them donning scarves emblazoned with our logo and the words: “Juncta Juvant,” the city’s motto, our motto. The club we rallied around, representing the city we love, was about to take on a squad from the top tier of international football. 
 
The march from Mecklenburg had been the biggest yet. Standing at the corner of University and Vine, you could look down the hill and see a trail of people in orange and blue for the next several blocks. We marched and sang in unison, echoing throughout the concourse and towards the north end of the stadium. I don’t regret not taking a usual spot up front with a bullhorn in hand. For the first time this season, I was able to walk around and take in the atmosphere from all over the stadium, snapping photos of the huge crowd. It had been an incredible day. At noon, Mecklenburg Gardens was already packed as beers were toasted, a pig was roasted, buffet lines were jammed, and both Cincy and Palace fans alike sang in the crowded biergarten.  It truly was a day to behold as a fan of sports, soccer, and Cincinnati. 
 
It’s been said that this organization is ambitious, and the club made that clear in a statement of their MLS pursuit  on day one. But scheduling a friendly against a Premier League side had been a huge step that turned some heads. On their summer tour, Crystal Palace would be taking on the Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps of top tier MLS, as well as us down in American soccer’s “third division.”  
 
Up front when the match began, I was annoyed at the amount of people trying to force their way into the front and center. I get it, The Bailey is a fun area, but when you’re being nearly trampled by so many people, many of whom you’ve never seen at a match before, your patience goes away quickly. Even in the presence of such a momentous occasion. In the end though, stepping away for this match proved to be the best thing (and I understand the excitement around The Bailey, this club, and that match). My girlfriend and I got to watch alongside my father and close friends. At the top of the section, people still sang, still chanted along. In the end I took it as just more people being exposed to what sets FC Cincinnati apart in the soccer landscape. In the warm sun as the evening wore on, that stadium’s energy never let up. In the second half, I came across my friend Evan standing by the Jimmy Nippert memorial, looking out at the packed house. I remember him saying to me back in November, in the early days of the franchise after a team meet and greet: “It’s going to be a fun summer.” Never would I have imagined that he and I would be standing there along with 35,000 others watching our club, not even a year old, take on an EPL side. The best memories of that day though, centered around celebrating what Die Innenstadt has become so far. I love FC Cincinnati, but I love our supporters group more.  
 
I wanted to do something special to commemorate it, to maybe sum up how big of a day this was, how important it was to some. As a photographer and writer, I could’ve devoted the day to taking photos and writing an essay (but that would’ve gotten in the way of beer, chanting, and talking with friends). I decided to do a photo booth of sorts. Not the corny, use-our-custom-wedding-hashtag-on-instagram type of photo booth, moreso, portraits. And I wanted opinions, I wanted to know why people felt this match was important. So we strung up a small banner and a few of the flags, set up the camera in the biergarten and invited fellow Die Innenstadt members to pose and define the day in their own words.  
 
I asked this question to each person:

“Why do you feel this match is so important to Cincinnati?” 
 

“It’s a sign of the next generation of Cincy fans to have something of their own.” 
- Evan

“It’s establishing a soccer community here. We can show the English soccer community that Americans can do it just as well.” 
- Stephen
 

“It’s the next stepping stone to being recognized.” 
 - Hien with Hoa
 

"This whole season has been incredible and beyond expectations. From how the club has grown in such a short time to how Die Innenstadt has grown in such a short time. It's all bringing together so many different people. It's a great reflection of where this city comes from and what it can be. 
- Die Innenstadt President, Ryan Lammi.  

“This match is lit.” 
- Yosief Tzeghai (of Cincinnati Soccer Talk) 

“This is the biggest game in Ohio soccer history, it puts us in a completely different stratosphere.” - Matt (left) 
 
“Cincinnati is a city on the rise and this is showing that to the world.” 
- Dan (right) 

“Because I think our supporters can relate to the Palace supporters. They can be a role model for how we support our team. They are the most passionate in the Premier League. We’ve come out strong, but there is a lot we can take from them.” 
- Jared
 

“It puts Cincinnati on the map even more than it is.” 
- Joshua (left) 
 
“Because Cincinnati needs to keep growing its love for soccer.” 
- Mariana (right) 

“It helps us branch out locally and internationally.” 
- Jason 

“Shows the world that Cincinnati is a serious and educated soccer fanbase." 
- Blake with Joe

“Shows we have the best venue and best fanbase in the state of Ohio.” 
- Nick

“This game, this crowd, is crucial to our image. It’s massively positive. Unbelievable that we sold out this match.” 
- Alex

“Having Crystal Palace here shows the world that Cincinnati is a real football city, and that the world should take notice.” 
- Bjorn, Bailey drummer. 

“It shows the true spirit of football in Cincinnati.” 
- Matt

“FCC is showing the world that we’re on the map.” 
- The legendary Tom Niehaus  

“This is the biggest soccer happening in America this summer.” 
- David Kurtz of the Crystal Palace American Fan Group

“This match shows that Cincinnati has embraced this club and this sport. And that this will be a testament how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time.” 
- Bob, Bailey drummer

“This match helps foster the interest in soccer in Cincinnati where the focus usually gets diverted to baseball and [gridiron] football. The encouragement of soccer will help build a talent pool for soccer in this city and contribute to the development of soccer nationally.” 
- Clyde
 

“We’re on the map now, now we’re on the international radar.” 
- Bryce (the leader of our marches) and his father

“First English side to play in Cincinnati. Hopefully they invite us back to their home sometime.” 
- Jack

“It exposes our team to the masses.” 
- Phil

“It’s been incredibly exciting watching this team go from an announcement to an international friendly.” 
- Christina

“Because it’s the world’s game and Cincinnati needs to join the world. You know that alleged Mark Twain saying about how when the world ends he wants to be in Cincinnati because everything happens ten years later? Well, when the world ends, we still need to be playing soccer in Cincinnati ten years later.” 
- Richard

“Just to have a team from the EPL playing here...it’s amazing.” 
- Claire

“We’re literally on the international stage right now. The most important USL match being played in the world.” 
- Tom who runs the fantastic charity, Sports Games For Kids

“It shows that there’s a passion for high quality soccer here.” 
- Jeremy

“It’s another great opportunity for the club and the city to show that Cincinnati is finally ready to support a pro soccer than that can keep up with international heavyweights." 
- Timo, Die Innenstadt Vice President

“Now we find out what we’re made of.” 
- Pat with Ryan and Mike. 

“This match wasn’t about Cincinnati or the clubs playing in it. This match was about people coming together to share their passion for something beautiful. This match was about love. Love for the game, love for the club, love for the city, love for the country, and how amazing things can be when there is love. And for one day, we saw just that." 
- Ian

“This is a world match. This goes beyond MLS, this is international, it’s going to be crazy.” 
- Fox, Bailey drummer. 

“It allows the city to showcase soccer enthusiasm to an international audience.” 
- Adam with Alex

“It’s putting us on the international map.” 
- Taylor with Seth, Louige, and Kimberly

“Because it’s fun and Cincinnati’s awesome.” 
- Annie (right) with Nick. 

“Because my boyfriend dragged me here.” 
- Taylor with Alex

“Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la. Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la. FC. Cincy.” 
- Levi

“It shows that we’ve got the chops to make it big time.” 
 - Daniel

“It helps spread the game. Philly was nonexistent, Cincinnati is alive.” 
- Traveling CPFC fans from Michigan, Kevin and Kyle, with FCC fans/DI members Hien and Hoa.  
 
And a quote from a man who became an honorary DI member when he posed with the scarf...

"This club is fantastic; we're so proud and privileged to be part of it tonight."

"You can't help but to say that this is a club we should get involved with because of the way they've conducted themselves, and the fans, and the way they've welcomed. It's like brothers-in-arms, it was brilliant." 

"I'd love to come back here; this was a great game, great facilities, and a tremendous occasion." 

- Crystal Palace Football Club Manager Alan Pardew (comments to the media following the match)

A year ago, I spent a week wandering all over the city, photographing how it was hosting the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It was a great time for the true Queen City and it culminated in the 86th Mid-Summer Classic, something I was fortunate enough to see in person.

Those were some of my favorite moments as a Cincinnatian. A year later and I’m watching this city embrace the world’s game, while rallying together with great people, old friends and new,  who are working to create something special. Six years ago, I resented soccer. Six years later, I’m incredibly proud to be a member of Die Innenstadt, a supporter of this club, and a supporter of my city.  
 
So why do I “feel this match is so important to Cincinnati?” 

“Because through a sporting event we were able to show Cincinnati at its best. We recognized its history and enthusiastically promoted its future. FCC and the fans that gathered were just a sample of how great this city and its people can be.”                                                                      

  - Ronny (right) with Blake

We’ll see you this weekend at Rhinehaus to watch the “boys in blurange’” take on the Kickers down in Richmond. We’re back at Mecklenburg Gardens and Nippert on the 24th of August. See you then.  
 
Stand with Die Innenstadt. Stand with Cincinnati. 
 
Juncta Juvant.  

---

Ronny Salerno is a founding member of Die Innenstadt as well as an author and photographer who appreciates history and Waffle House coffee. 

Tom Niehaus is an awesome guy who edits these posts for him and offers creative contributions.

What Else Is There To Say?

What is there to say that hasn't been said about this past weekend's friendly? Back when this team was announced (not even a year ago yet), I never imagined that Nippert Stadium would become such a great venue for soccer. I never imagined that it'd sell out. I never imagined that we'd be watching our local club play visitors from the English Premier League. 

I was hoping we'd occasionally hit 10,000 fans.

I was hoping a strong supporter presence would form.  

Here we are with so many incredible people in Die Innenstadt and a soccer club quickly becoming a local institution. It's still crazy to me that all this didn't exist even a year ago. This past weekend was important for DI, important for the club, important for the game in America, and important for Cincinnati.  

Theres a lot more I could say, already waxing nostalgic on an event that transpired only a few days ago. However, I feel many of my fellow members said it best when I asked them this past weekend. I want to share some of their answers, and that's coming in a story later this week. In the meantime, here's some photos from the match itself.

For the first match in a long time, I parted with the megaphone at the front of The Bailey. I watched from the top, and explored the stadium a bit. The environment all around was incredible. 

At least for the time being, this was the largest soccer crowd in Ohio at 35,061. The news of a sellout came at an event held on Friday night in the stadium's club level. 

Jeff Berding announcing that Nippert Stadium had been sold out. 

The sellout news was great, but the real highlight was when we convinced Crystal Palace's coach Alan Pardew to don one of our scarves.  

Crystal Palace FC Head Coach Alan Pardew donning a DI scarf. 

The next day started early. The fine folks at Mecklenburg Gardens really went all out for us. They opened at noon, opened up the entire facility including the beer hall, and even provided a buffet while roasting a pig. That was all on top of their usual outstanding service and wonderful atmosphere. 

Pig roast at Mecklemburg Gardens. 

Mecklenburg buffet offerings.  

This past weekend's march had the largest turnout yet as we walked the mile through Corryville, saluted the Cincinnati Fire Department, and entered into the stadium.

No tarps. Every seat filled. The largest crowd in Ohio soccer history to date:

For the first time in FCC's history at Nippert, the upper deck was used.  

Regular Bailey drummer Fox Gibson gave blood to keep the crowd on beat. 

The upper deck filled to capacity.  

Stay tuned for a more in depth story soon, one that reflects what this match meant to many of Die Innenstadt's members (and features your photo if you posed for one on Saturday). 

Until then: Stand with Die Innenstadt, Stand with Cincinnati. 

Juncta Juvant.  

---

Ronny Salerno is a founding member of Die Innenstadt as well as an author and photographer who appreciates history and Waffle House coffee. He wrote this and made these photographs.

Tom Niehaus is an awesome guy who edits these posts for him and offers creative contributions. Although, Ronny didn't get a chance to ask him to edit anything, because Squarespace didn't want to format properly and it was already 12:30 AM. 

Crystal Palace Weekend

     It’s been said before, this season has been beyond so many of our expectations. From attendance to the marching, the surge of membership to the start of charity work, and even how well the team is playing, it’s been an incredible inaugural season so far for Die Innenstadt and FC Cincinnati alike. Out of the many headlines and news items that seem to come out and dominate the local press every week, one of the bigger announcements was that of Crystal Palace. 

     In its inaugural season in the third tier of American soccer, FC Cincinnati will be hosting members of the top flight English Premier League: Crystal Palace. The visiting club dates back to 1905. Palace has spent the vast majority of their existence in the top two flights of English football. Most recently, they finished 15th out of 20 in league standings and advanced to the FA Cup final, although they were defeated by Manchester United. Nevertheless, Palace features a storied history and strong fan base, many of whom are traveling to North America. 

     The matchup against our “‘Boys in ‘Blurange’” will be the second of three matches for Palace as they spend some time across the pond. They’ll also be facing MLS’ Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps, but Saturday night they’ll be welcomed to the beautiful Queen City and the "Coliseum on Corbett" where The Bailey has been sold out for weeks and Nippert could be packed with a capacity crowd. 

     We’re starting things a little earlier than normal and have a lot of cool things going on to celebrate. 

    -    As usual, we’ll be at Mecklenburg Gardens, except this time we’ll be starting at Noon. Here's the Facebook link. 
    -    Meck will have their wonderful food and buffet available as well as all the excellent local, domestic, and international beer that your heart desires. The biergarten, inside bar, and back bar will all be open along with air conditioned areas. 
    -    We’ll be joined many Crystal Palace fans as Mecklenburg will be serving as Palace’s official “Pre-match Fan Zone.”
    -    We’ll be giving away some cool free stuff. 
    -    Free photo booth available to document the fans and the day. 

    We’ll be doing our usual march to the stadium, encouraging any and all Palace fans to join us. From there we’ll take our place in The Bailey and watch as FC Cincinnati faces off against the Eagles of the EPL. 

     Fireworks follow the match and of course, you know you’ll be able to find most of us at Mecklenburg enjoying a few more drinks to close out the historic evening. 

     See you this Saturday!

     Juncta Juvant