Saturday’s FC Cincinnati match against the New England Revolution at TQL Stadium has been announced as a sellout. Fans are encouraged to arrive early on what will be a busy day in downtown Cincinnati and to be in their seats prior to kickoff to build the atmosphere for a battle between the top two teams in the Supporters’ Shield standings. With a win on Saturday night, the Orange and Blue would set a new MLS record for the most consecutive home wins to begin a season at 11, and FCC would set the new longest single-season home winning streak in MLS history. Saturday evening’s contest will mark the 17th time TQL Stadium has sold out for an FC Cincinnati match, the ninth time this season in 11 regular season home games. Here s a full list of FC Cincinnati sellouts during the 2023 season at TQL Stadium:May 16, 2021 vs MIA – 6,000* May 29, 2021 vs NE – 11,000* June 19, 2021 vs COL – 25,054 July 9, 2021 vs CLB – 25,701 July 31, 2021 vs DC – 25,060 August 13, 2022 vs ATL – 25,037 August 27, 2022 vs CLB – 25,037 October 1, 2022 vs CHI – 25,316 February 25, 2023 vs HOU – 25,513 March 11, 2023 vs SEA – 25,513April 8, 2023 vs PHI – 25,513April 22, 2023 vs POR – 25,513May 6, 2023 vs DC – 25,513May 20, 2023 vs CLB – 25,513June 3, 2023 vs CHI – 25,513June 21, 2023 vs TOR – 25,513July 1, 2023 vs NE – 25,513Fans can get their tickets for future FC Cincinnati games here or by calling 513-977-5425 (KICK).

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CINCINNATI — Heading to the World Cup qualifier between rivals USA and Mexico? The Cincinnati Police Department is encouraging fans to get to TQL Stadium early.

Road closures began early Friday morning, with southbound Central Parkway already closed between Liberty and 14th Street for Fan Fest. Northbound Central Parkway have periodic closures ahead of the game. Many of the fans heading to the West End will be making the trip for the first time, coming from all parts of North America.

"We're super excited for the USA vs. Mexico game,” said Mireya Gomez, visiting from San Antonio. "We just came to try and you know, be in the moment and it's just really excited to be here."

Portions of Wade, Odeon, 15th, Magnolia and 14th Street will remain closed until around midnight. Joe Rudemiller, vice president of marketing and communications with 3CDC, said fans who want to avoid waiting in bumper-to-bumper traffic should park further away from the stadium.

While the match starts at 9 p.m., gates open at 7 p.m. and everyone will have to go through security. TQL Stadium implemented a clear bag policy for safety reasons. Fans can bring up to a gallon size Ziploc bag into the stadium.

Anyone who has been outside Friday is also aware of colder temperatures in the Tri-State. WCPO's 9 First Warning Weather Team said there continues to be a chance for showers — and a smaller chance for a small mix — Friday night.

Some fans, especially those from out of town, are planning to use ride share apps.

“We've got a rental car, but I think we're gonna leave it at where we're staying and just play it safe," Gomez said. "Uber to the game and uber to the pregame festivities...just take the streetcar around.”

The streetcar is adding extra stops Friday and will run until 1 a.m. Saturday. There will be watch parties at The Banks and at Washington Park.

The Holiday Market is also back at the Convention Center and OTR Chamber Second Sunday on Main take place this weekend.

“So there's a whole bunch of things going on," Rudemiller said. "It's going to be a really exciting weekend downtown.”

CINCINNATI — Longtime resident John Back knows all too well about the serious need for greater access to parking in Over-the-Rhine, particularly near Findlay Market. Despite having access to a lot, he said he can still get stuck without a space to park. It’s even tougher to make space for guests at his home.

“It's challenging, you know. People who don't have a parking spot, sometimes they'll take yours because they don't know whose it is. Sometimes your parking spot gets blocked.”

He, like a number of other residents and community stakeholders, welcome Hamilton County’s idea to build a parking garage in the area to meet the need. The garage is expected to include spaces for the public, especially Findlay Market patrons, soccer fans from TQL Stadium, in addition to spots for local developers like The Model Group and Urban Sites.

However, Back is one of a number of people deeply invested in Over-the-Rhine and historic preservation who take issue with how Hamilton County wants to execute the plan. Organizers of the project intend to shut down part of Logan Street between Elder and Findlay Street, and build over the current street to create the new parking structure. They are also looking to create a new access street behind the garage that will connect to Central Parkway.

Tomorrow, the city’s planning commission is scheduled to review Hamilton County’s application for a portion of Logan Street in Over-the-Rhine to be vacated and sold in order to paving the way for the garage. In addition to taking issues with the city planning for the project, critics argue Hamilton County did not adequately seek out community input before taking this to the commission.

Residents say passing through Logan street is important for their commutes. Building the garage with this design will disrupt the historic neighborhood grid, making it more congested and degrading residents' quality of life.

"I'm in favor of it,” Back said. “But the main issue here is that there's a street called Logan street that people use, every day." Back happens to be a developer, and has flipped a number of properties in the area. He also works for a real estate company and is an architect by trade. Yet he said his concern about this effort is rooted in his professional background, but his love and passion for Over-the-Rhine as a neighborhood.

"I can't think of anything more obtrusive than erasing an entire street and cutting off access to people."

Jennifer LeMasters, also a longtime resident and architect, shares Back’s concerns. LeMasters is the co-chair of the infill committee at the Over-the-Rhine Foundation. She senses that those who have been given sufficient information and engagement in the project have been affluent corporate professionals who are tapped into Over-the-Rhine’s business community. More than that, she and other critics argue that those who have been been consistently corresponding with Hamilton County about the new garage are those who stand to benefit the most from the structure.

Meanwhile, ordinary, marginalized residents that are disconnected from city bureaucracy and Cincinnati’s business scene are out of the loop, according to LeMasters. She feels the county and project organizers should have done a better job of reaching out to more residents who will be affected so they would have had a better chance to provide input.

“There's meaningful engagement, and then there's just check the box engagement. And I do think they've checked the box on this engagement to 80%, 70% maybe, but, but have they had meaningful engagement here? No."

But Phil Beck, Hamilton County’s construction executive, objects to this criticism.

“I can say categorically that that is not the case.” Beck, the head of the garage project, shuts down the idea that Hamilton County did not make a concerted and forceful effort to inform and dialogue with various residents as well as prominent institutions. He said Hamilton County led about twenty meetings with people in the community in recent months.

Joe Hansbauer, the president and CEO of Findlay Market, stands by county officials in the face of the criticism. Hansbauer said he's never seen more community outreach on a project in his 10 years at Findlay Market.

“Ultimately, I think they have selected a design that maximizes the community input. Does it mean that they have hit 100% of all the concerns? Of course not. It's not possible, right? But they recognize where, you know, that there were concerns that they were not able to meet. And I think that's what it's all about."

Bobby Maly of The Model Group also challenged criticisms that the garage disproportionately skews to the needs of private businesses by giving them the bulk of spots. He said much of those spots will double as parking for workers during the day, and public parking on nights and weekends.

Still, critics like LeMasters and Back take issue with the county for not formally engaging Over-the-Rhine’s community council before approaching the city's planning commission to vacate and sell the Logan Street land plots.

"I hope that the planning commission will realize that this is against the comprehensive plan," Back said. "This is against the values that we have adopted as a city."

The planning commission is scheduled to address the vacation and sale of Logan Street at 9 AM on Friday, Sept. 17. Those interested in following the discussion can watch a live stream here on the city’s website.

Monique John covers gentrification for WCPO 9. She is part of our Report For America donor-supported journalism program. Read more about RFA here.

If there are stories about gentrification in the Greater Cincinnati area that you think we should cover, let us know. Send us your tips at moveupcincinnati@wcpo.com.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Adam Buksa scored on a header in the 70th minute and the New England Revolution stayed atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 1-0 win over FC Cincinnati on Saturday.

Buksa jumped between a pair of teammates to connect in the 6-yard box with Carles Gil’s free kick from just outside the 18-yard box near the end line.

The Revolution (5-1-2) extended their unbeaten streak to four games.

Matt Turner made a pair of saves in the 82nd minute, the second to stop a wide-open chance for Cincinnati’s Brandon Vázquez. Turner finished with four saves for his third shutout of the season.

Geoff Cameron had a header miss over the crossbar on the last play before the final whistle for FC Cincinnati (1-4-1).

CINCINNATI — Looking to work part-time for a professional sports team on game day? FC Cincinnati is hosting an in-person job fair Saturday at Duke Energy Convention Center focused on hiring about 400 people for positions at the new TQL Stadium.

“We are known for our fun, enthusiastic, energetic environment at our games. This is a beautiful, brand new TQL Stadium, and we are looking for people to help us create that environment, that can be helpful to guests and fans and be a part of this fun energy,” said Kimberly Eppert, director of human resources for FC Cincinnati and TQL Stadium.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, the organization will look to fill part-time guest experience ambassador roles, like ticket scanners, ushers, wheelchair and elevator attendants and game day retail associates.

“It’s nice extra income for folks who want to be a part of a professional sports team,” Eppert said. “Anybody who’s looking to go into a career in sports, this is a great opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes, from the inside-out look at what it takes to put on an event.”

Eppert recommends job hunters bring their documents to complete an I-9 form with them to Duke Energy Convention Center -- and don’t forget your best smile. Qualified candidates will get an interview and possibly an offer on the spot, and they will be photographed for their stadium credentials Saturday.

The fair will also offer validated parking at Sixth and Plum Streets.

To pre-register for Saturday’s job fair at Duke Energy Convention Center or apply directly for stadium jobs, visit www.tqlstadium.com/jobs. If you can't make it to the in-person event, Eppert said the team is conducting virtual job interviews daily.

"I think it's just a really fun thing to be a part of this historic time in our community, where we're opening a brand new sports arena," Eppert said.

The stadium opens in the West End on Saturday, May 1, and FC Cincinnati faces Inter Miami CF on May 16, the club’s first home opener at TQL.

MORE: Look inside FC Cincinnati's West End Stadium as construction nears completion

CINCINNATI —

Despite a limited capacity, fans had the energy buzzing at TQL Stadium on Sunday.

They said they are grateful the day has arrived as they welcomed their team into new digs, while getting a taste of it themselves.

FC Cincinnati played Inter Miami, losing 3-2.

Fans said they have a lot of excitement for the future of the team and its stadium.

"There's a lot of excitement. The field, the grass field and everything," fan Greg Thielman said.

A new home and greater energy than ever before.

"We've been coming since the very beginning in 2015. So, to see them expand and grow is something that is super exciting to be a part of," fan Devin Biser said.

Six thousand FC Cincinnati fans came for a new chapter at TQL Stadium and to make some waves in Major League Soccer.

And yes, the Bailey still rocks the house.

"It's really exciting for the city, you know, to see that we put up a beautiful stadium, have something exciting to come out to, especially with COVID ending," fan Jahmar Daniels said.

The pandemic would've made this seem impossible a year ago.

Masks, social distancing and limited attendance were part of the fan experience.

Many came decked out in orange and blue gear, not deterred by the current state of affairs.

"I've got my 2016 inaugural season scarf, you know, for the opening game. It just kind of helps you get ready in your mind for the game," fan AJ Eaves said.

Despite the loss on Sunday, fans told us they've stuck with this team from the start.

They'll keep coming back here.

"It's been a long time coming. I went to pretty much every game I've been able to go to over at Nippert Stadium," fan Kyle Ryder said.

Fans said their loyalty runs deep.

They can't wait to be joined by more fans soon.

"Win or lose or draw, I'm here for FCC," Ryder said.

Fans including Ryder said they expect full attendance will really make the new stadium light up.

CINCINNATI — The countdown to FC Cincinnati's first home match is on with less than two days to go. Support groups for the club are getting ready with signs and banners -- thousands are expected to bring their business to bars across downtown and Over-The-Rhine.

If you don’t have tickets for the season opener, The Pitch might just be the closest thing you can get to the new stadium.

Andrew Maloney, marketing director for The Pitch, said the new bar on Central Parkway positions you perfectly to experience the game.

"We've been here on the rooftop. You can hear it. You can feel it. The way the stadium is designed you feel like you're in the stadium," Maloney said.

WCPO Staff

The Pitch already had its own following before opening day.

"We wanted to be open for the home opener. Soccer fans are loyal. We're home to a supporter group at The Pitch -- Queen City Mafia,” Maloney said “So we wanted to be here ready for them as well so they can do the march to the stadium up the steps.”

The Pitch is not alone in the fandom.

The Pride, another FCC support group, will have their original sign from Nippert Stadium hanging at Northern Row Brewery -- the group's new home bar.

WCPO Staff

Keith Maloy, general manager for the brewery, said the hundreds of fans expected to show up couldn't have come at a better time.

"One thing that OTR has is a lot of Pride in the neighborhood, and the city itself. I think it's appropriate that The Pride, the club is going to be home here,” Maloy said. “We feel that way about the team. What it does for the city. It's a good focal thing right now. Something to latch on to. It's a positive thing right now. We need something positive."

Northern Row needed something to rally behind.

"They're passionate about the sport. Passionate about the team,” said David Berger, founder of Northern Row Brewery. “I think with us it sort of helped us get through the times when you're scratching your head wondering when this will be over? You have something to look forward to."

FC Cincinnati's third home game at TQL Stadium will be played with a full-capacity crowd on June 19.

CINCINNATI — When driving through the West End – you can’t miss it. TQL Stadium is huge, but the team it houses isn’t just a sports presence. All along, FC Cincinnati has said it’s going to be a good neighbor to the community – and a big part of that is working with local kids.

Laurel playground is the place 170 local kids come to get their soccer fix. The practice field sits in the shadow of TQL stadium by design.

WCPO Staff

There’s a double meaning to the words on 11-year-old Jasiah Murph’s jersey – West End Pride. You see, FC Cincinnati’s mascot is a lion – and we all know a group of lions is called a pride.

“You get to be with teammates, coaches and be around here playing with your friends,” Murph said.

Then there’s pride in one’s community.

“You show people what it’s like to be in this neighborhood,” Murph said.

Acknowledging the stadium by playing the sport that brought it to the area – and even sharing it. The FC Cincinnati Foundation supports the youth soccer cause by covering the kids’ registration fees, uniforms, equipment and after-practice snacks. It’s part of the local team’s commitment to making the West End a better place to live and play

WCPO Staff

“We’re here showing that we wanna be part of the community,” former FC Cincinnati player Omar Cummings said. “We wanna be good neighbors.”

Cummings works as an ambassador to the team and focuses on the next generation by helping to grow the youth soccer program.

“It’s about the future – 5 years, 10 years, 15 years down the line – hopefully have kids from this neighborhood in our academy, playing int the stadium,” he said.

Speaking of the kids – they were the first ones to play on the pitch at TQL Stadium.

“I’m a little jealous, myself. Having been a pro in the MLS, that’s still one of the best stadiums anywhere – and for the kids to have the first opportunity to play on it, I was like, ‘man,’” Cumming said with a laugh.

The kids were impressed, too.

“It was amazing,” West End Pride player Harmoni Dennard said.

WCPO Staff

Dennard’s mom, Thelma Little is so happy her daughter and all the other kids get to play.

“It keeps them active, keeps them engaged in the community, and we’re from down here,” Little said. “It’s exciting to have this type of opportunity available to them.”

In just five years, the West End Pride has grown to nine teams – with one co-ed preschool team. Like Cummings said – the hope is that one of the program’s kids will make it to the academy, which can be a pathway to Major League Soccer play.

CINCINNATI — As TQL Stadium opens for FC Cincinnati's home opener, here's what fans should know about parking before heading to a match.

Season parking pass holders will have access to parking close to the stadium, which includes:

• The East Garage on the stadium site
• The West Premium Lot in the rear of the stadium
• The newly built West End garage north of the stadium with about 800 parking spots
• The Town Center Garage across from Music Hall on Central Parkway.

The Washington Park Garage is also offering parking sign-ups for FC Cincinnati fans, but this garage also has spots set aside for season parking pass holders.

Fans can also get their steps in by parking at the Mercer Commons Garage, the Ziegler Park Garage or the Kroger Garage and walking between 15 and 20 minutes to the stadium.

The stadium is nestled into the West End neighborhood where some might try their luck with street parking, but FC Cincinnati has a map online that shows that parking in residential neighborhoods is off limits. Residents hope fans respect this.

"They’re not going to want to pay to park, so they’re going to think they can come over here, which is free parking, and it’s not," Yona Dowdell, a West End resident, said. "They don’t live over here to park over here.”