CINCINNATI – An expectant crowd of 16,617 had arrived at Nippert Stadium on Saturday afternoon anticipating another victory, and another step toward the USL Cup for FC Cincinnati.
Instead, it was witness to the end of the club’s USL era.
A 1-0 victory by the No. 5-seed New York Red Bulls II over the top-seeded hosts sent the 2016 USL Cup champion through to its third consecutive Eastern Conference Final as Amando Moreno’s goal brought an end to FCC’s 24-game undefeated streak and the club’s USL Cup aspirations.
“Tough match,” said FCC Head Coach Alan Koch. “Disappointing result, obviously. Playoff soccer is very, very unpredictable as tonight showed. A long, quality streak ends tonight, unfortunately.”
Here are some of the sights and sounds from the biggest upset of the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs.
Were talking bout playoffs! #OurCityOurCup #FCCincy pic.twitter.com/F0cpsG90VD
— Jeff (@jefffcarr) October 27, 2018
Even bigger fans. On the same big board. #FRISCHSFAN #FCCINCY pic.twitter.com/5LMdW3pfB9
— Maura Manor (@mmmmmaura) October 27, 2018
Let's do this!! #FCCINCY pic.twitter.com/3RYOq1WZbf
— Emilie Moore (@sokr_mom15) October 27, 2018
We don’t deserve it tonight. #FCCincy
— Queen City War Pigs (@CincinnatiFC) October 27, 2018
Big win @NYRBII
— Brad Wright-Phillips (@BWPNINENINE) October 27, 2018
So proud of this team you guys should be proud of all that you accomplished this season cant wait for MLS season next year #FCCincy #hugefan @fccincinnati @folasso @MikeLahoud @LedeManu18 @spencerichey18 @Tyler10Gibson @NewtonEvan13 @PaddyBarrett42 @JackSternGK @Akoch pic.twitter.com/yMxNhazQvk
— Shelby Carr (@ShelbyC22869901) October 28, 2018
After a tough playoff loss, these guys still took a lot of time to greet fans, sign autographs, take selfies and even apologized for the loss (although that was unnecessary) #ThankYou #LoveThisTeam #FCCINCY pic.twitter.com/dwAwlSLEIZ
— Adam (@bied_2) October 28, 2018
Heading to Nippert for the @USL Eastern Conference Semifinals! Go @fccincinnati! She dressed herself! #FCCincy pic.twitter.com/hsoP9XZ2au
— Kyle Wunderlich (@Wundy1983) October 27, 2018
This game and then the Buckeyes and #CBJ tonight. I love sports #FCCincy pic.twitter.com/a5ZhqYs8IB
— Tommy Donoghue (@SWINGNMISS7) October 20, 2018
And we're underway here at Nippert!!! @fccincinnati @NYRBII #JoinTheMarch #OurCityOurCup #FCCincy #FCCincinnati #fcc #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Nbspn5rDKx
— Mike Canizales (@mcan409) October 27, 2018
1) NYRBII outplayed us.
— Jennifer Kaufman (@jnkaufman) October 27, 2018
2) It would’ve been so much fun to watch 90 mins of soccer instead of 45. Glad the officials eventually figured things out.
3) I’m super curious to hear from the Adi apologists.
4) What a team!
5) Anyone but Louisville #FCCincy #RiseTogether
Justin Hoyte stayed on the field a few minutes after the end of the game and then got up and gave away his cleats and jersey to a few young fans. Wonder what’s on these guys’ minds as the team moves to MLS... #FCCincy pic.twitter.com/whghiUzCfh
— Jeff (@jefffcarr) October 27, 2018
Our sorrow runs deep, but our pride runs deeper. We will always continue to support all of our players wherever they go, but we sure hope y'all will stay here with us.@fccincinnati @folasso #FCCincy #Hope #MLS #FaithFamilyFutbol pic.twitter.com/Tt84WnQzzi
— Lasso4President (@Lasso4P) October 27, 2018
Let it rain let it pour, we will sing forever more #FCCincy pic.twitter.com/CD39cJ0Ga0
— Amanda (@amandakathlyn) October 27, 2018
Let’s go FC!!!! #frischsfan #FCCincy @fccincinnati pic.twitter.com/EoNaNEeOUf
— RunEatBeHappy (@RunEatBeHappy) October 27, 2018
Fantastic result for @NYRBII yesterday, overcoming regular USL season champions and MLS-bound FC Cincinnati. Beating the best team by far makes a huge statement. Two games from a second USL Cup. Next up, reigning holders Louisville City.
— Glenn Williams (@GRW810) October 28, 2018
Go on boys!!!! @NYRBII what a result, on to the next!!! #dosestrellas #dorstoros
— Aaron Long (@A_LoLo12) October 27, 2018
Seasons only end well for 1 team but doesn’t take away from what the club did this year. Couldn’t have asked for better group in my 1st year as a coach. Proud of every one of them #FCCincy
— Austin Berry (@aberr22) October 28, 2018
So proud of ya- can't wait for 2019 #allthelove #chinup #proud #FCCincy #RiseTogether @kimdonohue13 @cincysoccer @DJKrunch513 @cincy_williar @LedeManu18 @DanniKonig @CorbenBone @yennek_reklaw @spencerichey18 @J_McLaughlinIII @PaddyBarrett42 @justinhoyte84@fccincinnati pic.twitter.com/dwVaneyrtf
— Ginger Riley (@gingerly21) October 27, 2018
We keep on fighting! Congrats to John, and the team - keep getting better. @NYRBII aren’t done yet. #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/yMDgm7dEh0
— Marc de Grandpre (@JMMDEG) October 28, 2018