UPDATE: a previous edition of this article erroneously listed Chris Albright as FC Cincinnati’s manager. Instead of referring to Pat Noonan as the head coach. Albright is the team’s general manager; the subsequent update features the correction and I apologize for the error.

FC Cincinnati is in the midst of a good week. Helping themselves with back-to-back wins against Toronto FC. Shining while the Cincinnati Reds stumble through their opening weeks.

FC Cincinnati holds a 4-5-1 record heading into a match Saturday at Minnesota. Which is set to kickoff at 8 PM Eastern on WSTR-TV (64) and WCKY-AM (1530). By Thursday morning, FC Cincinnati had more wins than the hapless Cincinnati Reds. The Reds are now 3-22 going into Friday after losing Thursday afternoon. Matching the total wins the Cincinnati Cyclones had in their recent playoff series. Which the Cyclones lost 4-3 earlier this week against the Toledo Walleye.

FC Cincinnati’s recent success is helping them in the standings. Going into Friday, FCC ranks sixth in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. Finishing in the Eastern Conference’s top seven would be good enough to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. While the playoffs are several months away. Finishing in the top ten would be a real improvement for FC Cincinnati. After closing their first three MLS seasons last in the east. Ranking 12th in 2019 and 14th in 2020 and 2021.

Sustaining their recent success is FCC’s big challenge going forward. The orange and blue have struggled through their MLS years to keep a lead. That trend bit the club after a good stretch of play last Summer. The team won three-consecutive road matches in a stretch from late May through June last year. Followed by back-to-back ties to start July. FC Cincinnati only won one match after that stretch. The team also endured several goal-less streaks in the last two years.

FC Cincinnati will strive to keep a different streak alive this Saturday. They’ve scored goals in four-consecutive matches. Scoring two goals in three of those four matches. FCC’s recent success comes as the team navigated through several injuries. Through it all, head coach Pat Noonan is providing a breath of fresh air for the team. He’s hoping to give the team coaching continuity; as the team’s third head coach in its MLS era. The offensive efforts and wins are early tangible signs of improvements.

The orange and blue’s recent success presents an opportunity for them. To capitalize on something that helped fuel FC Cincinnati’s rise prior to joining MLS. Giving Cincinnati sports fans something to cheer for while the Reds struggle. FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season in 2016 coincided with the Reds rebuilding phase. The Reds lost 94 games in 2016, finishing last in the National League Central. Then put forward 94 and 95 loss campaigns in 2017 and ’18. The 2022 Reds are on pace to lose over 95 games.

Along with the Reds, the Cincinnati Bengals also struggled through the late 2010’s. After five consecutive NFL Playoff appearances from 2012-2016. The Bengals followed that up with five-consecutive losing seasons. Ultimately reversing course with their Super Bowl run last season. The Reds and Bengals struggles in the late 2010’s gave FCC a big opportunity to breakthrough.

Perhaps FC Cincinnati would’ve broken through without the Reds and Bengals’ stumbling. Nevertheless, FCC’s rise and moderate success were a well-needed boost to Cincinnati’s spirit. One which helped the team build up good will within the region. Attracting Major League Soccer in the process. Which spurred the construction of the state-of-the-art TQL Stadium. A stadium which is attracting international friendlies and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. Helping Cincinnati also make a case to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.

Despite FCC’s struggles in their early years in Major League Soccer. Struggles that aren’t unusual for an expansion team in any sport. FCC is maintaining the public good will they’ve had through its first decade. Meanwhile, frustrating fans seems to be the only thing the Reds can do well this year. From the Reds’ 2021-22 offseason approach of payroll shedding. Then responding coldly to fans’ frustrations over that approach. To the team having two losing streaks featuring at least nine losses in each streak.

Following back-to-back winning seasons for the Reds. The Bengals Super Bowl season and a history-making Cincinnati Bearcats 2021 season. The Reds had an opportunity to ride some positive momentum into this season. Instead, they’re backsliding into where they were four years ago. The Reds risk having attendance slump in ways that mirror the late 2010’s.

Excluding the last two years, which featured COVID-19 pandemic-related attendance restrictions. Reds total season attendance in 2018 was the lowest since moving to Great American Ball Park. Slumping to roughly 1.6 million in 2018. Attendance improved as the Reds’ record improved in 2019. Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati set attendance records during the Reds recent doldrums.

Last Wednesday, the Reds and FCC were playing in the same time frame. When I spent more time watching FCC’s match compared to the Reds. At one point in the evening, the Reds and Milwaukee Brewers were tied. At the same time, FC Cincinnati had a 1-0 lead. By the time FC Cincinnati secured their 2-0 win. The Brewers built up a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. There were likely many in Cincinnati that stuck with FCC and didn’t even tune into the Reds game.

Reds President Phil Castellini asked Reds fans last month “well, where you ‘gonna go.” If FC Cincinnati continues to win and show signs of improvement. While the Reds continue to stumble and frustrate fans. TQL Stadium will draw larger crowds than GABP. Even though GABP’s capacity is nearly double TQL Stadium’s.