With two supermoons this month and India landing a probe on the moon’s south pole this week. August is a busy month in moon-related news. All while Cincinnati is winding down a star-studded summer sports-wise.

The Cincinnati area has hosted superstars throughout this summer. From Taylor Swift to the stars of tennis’ Western and Southern Open. Cincinnati’s major league teams have also faced superstars in recent weeks. Including Shohei Ohtani and Lionel Messi this week. Here’s an overview of the stars of this summer in Cincinnati sports.

Elly De La Cruz

This could ultimately be considered the Summer of Elly. He’s helping bring the Cincinnati Reds back into national relevance. With historic achievements in less than three months in the big leagues. Becoming the first Reds player to hit for the cycle since 1989. He also stole second, third and home in one at bat.

De La Cruz set an MLB record this week. By becoming the fastest player in league history to reach ten home runs and 20 stolen bases. De La Cruz is hitting triples and rounding bases with astounding ease. He’s one of a few Reds contender for rookie of the year. While helping the Reds be contenders quicker than many envisioned.

The Western and Southern Open

With the possibility of the event moving to Charlotte looming over it. Fans turned out in droves for the W&S Open last week. Those fans saw a classic tournament with many headline-making moments. With Coco Gauff winning her first WTA 1000 title. En route to the title, Gauff beat world No.1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.

The W&S Open men’s final was a rematch of July’s Wimbledon final. Between Novak Djokovic and world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz. After losing Wimbledon and a chance at a calendar Grand slam. Djokovic won the rematch in a full three set match, in his first American event since 2019. The W&S Open did what it usually does. Provide an intriguing preview for the upcoming U.S. Open. While fans showcased that there’s high interest in keeping the W&S Open in greater Cincinnati.

Luciano Acosta

With a consistent leading presence on FC Cincinnati’s matchday roster. Acosta leads the team with 12 goals and eight assists. One of those goals was scored in Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup semifinals. He was FCC’s captain in that match against his friend Lionel Messi. Acosta was also the captain of the MLS All-Star team earlier this summer. Acosta is leading Major League Soccer with 58 key passes. Acosta also ranks second in the league in several statistical categories.

Lionel Messi

It’s not every day the man widely regarded as soccer’s greatest living player plays in your region. Yet it happened on Wednesday evening in Cincinnati. As FC Cincinnati hosted Messi and Inter Miami. In a match that FCC ultimately lost in penalty kicks. After leading 2-0 for much of the match. Despite losing, FCC still generally shined on one of the biggest nights in club history.

Scott Rolen and the late Ken Riley Sr.

Rolen and Riley were enshrined into their sports’ respective halls of fame this summer. Former Cincinnati Reds player Scott Rolen was enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Nearly two weeks later, Ken Riley Sr. was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With the Riley family on hand to honor Ken Sr. roughly three years after his passing. Riley joins Anthony Munoz as Bengals players in the hall of fame.

Taylor Swift

Along with being Cincinnati’s non-sports event of the summer. Given the widespread anticipation and attention it received. Swift’s Cincinnati concerts on June 30th and July 1st had an impact on Cincinnati sports. The Reds moved their June 30th home game to an earlier than usual time. To avoid conflicting with the massive traffic the concert generated.

FC Cincinnati also had a big home game during that weekend. Tying 2-2 on July 1st with the New England Revolution. A team that has been on FCC’s heels in the Eastern Conference. All combining for a big weekend during a big summer for Cincinnati.