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FC Cincinnati Surpasses 100K Overall Turnout

By CHARLIE CORR - charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com, 06/12/16, 2:15AM EDT

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Organization has garnered five-digit figures in all seven regular-season games


Photo courtesy of FC Cincinnati

Through seven regular-season games, expansion FC Cincinnati has reached another impressive figure, surpassing 100,000 fans thus far this season.

With Saturday’s attendance of 14,267 to see Cincinnati defeat FC Montreal 2-1 at Nippert Stadium, FC Cincinnati has seen 111,490 fans take in a match as the organization continues to set a high bar. It marked the seventh consecutive regular-season match in which the club has reached a five-digit attendance total, as well.

“It is a pleasant surprise each time,” Cincinnati Coach John Harkes said in response to that figure. “The guys are out in the community doing a lot of service. This type of soccer is entertaining and pleasing to the eye. People just wanted to see a high level of performance in our city. The families are fantastic and their passion comes across really well.”

In terms of entertaining play, it doesn’t get much better than the continued performance of leading goal-scorer Sean Okoli, who was responsible for both goals during Cincy’s win. He has spearheaded an attacking force that threatens the net with regularity.

“Personality makes the game in terms of shape and balance,” Harkes said of the team’s style and work rate. “We are a team that loves to create and move forward. We are always trying to look for balances on the team. We focus on the process and the lessons that we learn from each match. I’m proud of the guys and the way they went out and competed today.”

Okoli, who netted a first-half penalty kick, essentially put the match away with a 48th-minute volley as Cincinnati’s width created plenty of holes in FC Montreal’s defense.

After his second tally, Okoli simply stood tall and raised his arms toward The Bailey section on the north end as Nippert Stadium celebrated what turned into the game-winning moment.

“They are out there every single day for us, every game for us,” Okoli said. “I just want to show them that we appreciate it and we work to get three points, but we also work to entertain them.”


Photo courtesy of FC Cincinnati