CINCINNATI – As the Fourth Official’s board rose at the halfway line, beckoning Omar Cummings from the field for the final time in his illustrious career, so did all of the 23,114 souls in the Nippert Stadium stands.

On the final night of his professional career, the veteran FC Cincinnati forward went out in style against La Liga’s Valencia C.F. on the same field where his road to the top of the game began.

“It doesn’t feel as though it’s hit me yet, but I feel okay,” said Cummings. “It felt so special to go out on this type of stage. I was able to do this in front of my adopted home of Cincinnati and this wonderful fan base. Before the warm ups, there was so much emotion, but once I got into the routine it became focused on the game.”

Honored at halftime by FCC Owner Carl Lindner III and President Jeff Berding, Cummings almost provided a fairytale ending, too. With the hosts trailing 1-0 after a 62nd-minute goal by Nando, the former University of Cincinnati Bearcat and Jamaica international found space on the right and delivered a fizzing cross through the six-yard area toward Matt Bahner at the back post. A defensive intervention denied the opportunity, and the ending all in the crowd were hoping for.

Valencia ended up with a 2-0 victory thanks to Zaza’s stoppage-time goal into an open net after FCC goalkeeper Dan Williams had come the length of the field for a corner kick with the hosts in search of an equalizer. In the end, though, the result didn’t matter on a special night for Cincinnati’s adopted son.

“We feel fortunate to be part of Omar’s experiences and celebrate the way that we did tonight,” said FCC Head Coach Alan Koch. “The Omar that the fans see, is the Omar that we see behind the scenes.

‘What I’ve seen over the last six months on the field is equally as important as what he’s done on the field. He’s shared invaluable knowledge with us and has taken some of the younger players and put them under his wing.”

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Cummings will remain part of the FCC organization, moving into a front office position next week where he will be engaged with the club’s youth soccer and community efforts and the development of the urban futsal courts. The chance to begin the new chapter of his career in the city he loves is an exciting prospect for the 35-year-old.

“Cincinnati has given me so much, from an education, to an opportunity to play professional soccer, and to come back and finish my career in Cincinnati has been a joy,” said Cummings. “I’m standing here, will continue to live here, and I’m a Cincinnatian officially. To watch the city grow has been amazing.”

And don’t be surprised if someday soon you see Cummings engaged in a kickaround on one of the Futsal courts around town.

“I’ll stop playing in a professional sense,” he said, “but as long as my legs move I’ll be playing the game.”