Photo Galleries

2018 from behind the photographers’ lenses

By Boston Brazzell

Posted on December 28, 2018

Here’s a look behind the lenses of Cincinnati Soccer Talk photographers Alex Vehr and Jeremy Miller in a compilation of their favorite 2018 FC Cincinnati photographs this season.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Miller

It was another great year for the photographers at Cincinnati Soccer Talk in 2018. Between Alex Vehr and Jeremy Miller, CST was on the ground at every home game. The home photo galleries have always been highly viewed on Facebook. Alex Vehr accepted a job out of state this offseason and will unfortunately no longer be able to shoot FC Cincinnati matches. We will miss his pops of color and sharp angles. Jeremy Miller will be expanding his role with CST and Joe Schmuck, formerly of Orange and Blue Press, will join the staff. The following photos have been hand picked by our photo team as their personal favorites this year.

: The Bailey travels. Our first close away game, and boy did Cincinnati fans show up. As many as 1500 fans traveled up Interstate 74 to see FC Cincinnati take down Indy Eleven. I shot from underneath the Indy supporters section, and FCC fans were still much louder than the home fans.

: “Steamer Things” had potential to be the best Tifo of the year in the opener against Louisville City, but a mishap on the upper section dampened that slightly.

: Emanuel Ledesma with his classic celebration in a goal against Atlanta United FC 2.

: In 2017 Guido Gonzales Jr had one of the worst refereed games I have ever seen in Cincinnati. In 2018 he was sent back to Nippert to the surprise of everyone. The result, one of the best officiated games of the year.

: The first U.S. Open Cup match of the year was against Detroit City FC at the smaller Gettler Stadium. It sold out quickly which sparked outrage from DCFC fans who allegedly were unable to purchase tickets.

: Nazmi Albadawi scores a second goal against his former team North Carolina FC.

: In one of my favorite captures of the year, Dani Konig on an assist from Ledesma beats the keeper as he’s taken out by the last defender, FCC beat North Carolina FC 4-1.

: Alex Yersky in his war paint leading his troops on the march to The Bailey.

: The FC Cincy squirrel made his Nippert debut at halftime. It was the most interesting part of the day in a boring game against Louisville City FC with poor play and poor officiating.

: The march to The Bailey, one of the best experiences in sports.

: The Duke Energy Center “Cincinnati” sign is lit up orange and blue in anticipation for a visit for “a significant announcement about the future of soccer in Cincinnati.”

: That “significant announcement about the future of soccer in Cincinnati” of course was FC Cincinnati’s invite to Major League Soccer starting in 2019.

: The final save of the penalty shootout that sent FC Cincinnati out of the US Open Cup.

: The Bailey celebrates a goal.

: Not sure this guy is playing the same sport.

: Danni Konig

: Jimmy McLaughlin approves of Forrest Lasso’s dance moves. The two of them will join FC Cincinnati in MLS for 2019.

: Emanuel Ledesma talks to and kisses the ball throughout the game. Something you may not see if you aren’t up close.

: May the force be with you young Paddywan?

: The pouring rain had moved all the other photographers inside to wait on the second half, I didn’t even care, and that paid off, I got this perfectly timed shot as well as the Paddy Barrett Goal. Not even sure how he got his fingers on this.

: Rain makes for spectacular pictures of of drops and splashes.

: Well revered by the team and supporters, Tom Grabo and now fiancé Stevie Sharp, run a non profit organization called Sports Games for Kids.

: Russell Cicerone scores FC Cincinnati’s first goal in an international friendly match.

: Tyler Gibson makes his FC Cincinnati debut after going down in preseason with an injury.

: The march to The Bailey really gets going at the Bearcat statue on campus.

: “Should have been a foul” wasn’t as big of an issue in 2018 as it was in 2017.

: From The Bailey

: Marching in

: Forrest Lasso is a monster on the back line as well as in front of the goal on corner kicks.

: This could not have felt good.

: It wasn’t a good night for Mitch Hildebrandt, as he said yes 5 times to the Orange and Blue.

: A controversial penalty call in Tampa gave FC Cincinnati the 3 points that night.

: I was right next to the goal getting pictures when Fanendo Adi netted his first for the Orange and Blue. Tension had built with several close chances for the star player and a back and forth game with rivals Pitsburgh Riverhounds had everyone on edge. It started as a counter attack from the back and a long pass up to Adi, despite a defender hanging on his back and two others in the way, he was able to body through and fire a shot past the keeper for the game-winning goal. I have never heard Nippert Stadium that loud. I was deafened as Adi celebrated with Alan Koch and the rest of the team. That goal secured three points on the way to a record season and made FC Cincinnati the first team in the league to secure a playoff spot.

: 2018 USL MVP Manu Ledesma.

: The remnants of a hurricane crashed through Louisville that night and eventually forced the postponement of the game, but not before Corben Bone splashed the only goal of the game past the keeper.

: It was too wet on the first leg but supports snuck the ode to streamergate past security in the final part of the Dirty River Derby.

: Adi’s skill was portrayed with this touch and go goal in a victory over Toronto FC II.

: Cincy Super Fan proposed to the love of his life, Ms Cincy Super Fan (soon to be Mrs) on the field and she said yes. He planned the proposal out for weeks with dozens of people and managed to keep it secret from her the whole time.

: Jimmy McLaughlin and his fiery personality will go with FC Cincinnati to MLS.

: USL Regular Season Champions

: “Crushed this League” a banner worthy of the league FC Cincinnati will play in come 2019.

: My phone background for a couple of months now. Jimmy McLaughlin celebrates finishing his penalty kick in the shootout in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.