FC Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Reds have often indirectly contrasted. This week, both teams complimented each other. With big wins at home on Tuesday night; part of a fun week for Cincinnati sports.

FC Cincinnati launched when the Reds were in a rut in the mid 2010’s. The Reds had a brief resurgence when FC Cincinnati was struggling through their early MLS years. Now FC Cincinnati is roaring in first place in Major League Soccer. While the Reds are striving to rebound from 2022’s 100 loss campaign. Fortunately for the Reds, they’re still showing signs of improvement.

Despite losing a big series against the Milwaukee Brewers last weekend. The Reds regenerated positive momentum in the back end of their home stand this week. With a trio of wins that put a spotlight on Cincinnati’s rookies. First with pitcher Andrew Abbott’s Major League Baseball debut on Monday. Followed by Elly De La Cruz’ highly anticipated debut on Tuesday.

While the local and national buzz surrounding De La Cruz is a welcome sight for the Reds. Their wins on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were as welcome a sight for them. With rookie Matt McLain getting a game winning hit on Tuesday. Second-year major leaguer Will Benson hit the game-winning home run on Wednesday. All can make Reds fans feel optimistic about the future.

Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati is still unbeaten at home this season. After winning their U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds back on Tuesday. In previous years, a Reds game would be second fiddle. To an FC Cincinnati U.S. Open Cup home match on the same night. Both teams won on Tuesday night, with the Reds game as a leading story. FC Cincinnati and the Reds appear to be on track. Towards being successful or at least nationally relevant at the same time for once.

There are two impressive aspects to FC Cincinnati’s success this season. First, FC Cincinnati has a lineup that’s clicking together. With several players having MLS All-Star worthy seasons. Luciano Acosta has emerged over the years as the team’s leader. Scoring goals, setting up goals and sticking up for teammates when tempers flare in matches. Brandon Vazquez, Matt Miazga and Roman Celentano recently played on the United States Men’s National Team’s roster. While Alvaro Barreal had one of the wildest goals of the year earlier this week.

Second, FC Cincinnati is doing something they struggled to do in previous years. In 2020 and 2021, FCC struggled to hold on to one-goal leads. They also went through a series of goal-less games in that time. This year, they’re winning several games by one goal. They’re only goal-less in one game, a scoreless draw against Orlando City last March.

FC Cincinnati will have an interesting opportunity in the coming months. They’re set to host Inter Miami in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals on August 23rd. Inter Miami is in the process of adding FIFA World Cup and Ballon D’or winner Lionel Messi to their roster. Messi turned down offers from European clubs and Saudi Arabia’s major league to join Miami. See PGA Tour, rejecting Saudi Arabian sportswashing efforts isn’t that hard.

Messi’s pending U.S. arrival is the biggest story in MLS right now. However, Soccer fans would be foolish to count FC Cincinnati out against Inter Miami. Messi alone won’t fix Inter Miami’s problems immediately. Miami is currently last in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference; it bears repeating that FC Cincinnati leads MLS overall. Inter Miami parted ways with their head coach Phil Neville last week. Messi is already giving Inter Miami a marketing boost. However, he won’t singlehandedly turn the team into an MLS Cup contender overnight.

Inter needs to do what the Cincinnati Bengals did with Joe Burrow. Build up the team so their biggest star can flourish. Those efforts have made Burrow one of the top stars in American sports. FC Cincinnati didn’t build their team with a single star and some random bit players. They’ve focused on building up their roster. While Pat Noonan provides managerial stability as FC Cincinnati’s head coach. There’s an I in Messi but still no I in team.