The busy soccer summer is upon us. Amateur leagues and professional clubs are gearing up to make Cincinnati and the surrounding area a hive of soccer. We here at Cincinnati Soccer Talk are looking to keep you in the loop on all the action outside of TQL Stadium this summer.
Looking Back
Crusade for the Crown
The first ever meeting between KHFC Cincinnati and KHFC Columbus took place in Columbus this past Wednesday. The rivalry has been dubbed by the fanbases as the “Crusade for the Crown.” After 90 minutes, KHFC Cincinnati took home the 2-0 victory.
High Voltage Attack
Northern Kentucky Nitro are white-hot in the scoring department. In their first four matches of the season, Nitro have scored a whopping 20 goals. This includes an impressive 5-1 victory over rivals Valhalla FC. No doubt avenging the nail-biting USASA loss to Valhalla back in May. Despite starting the season a little later than the field and having all four matches on the road, Nitro are on top of the OVPL River Division.
Cup Magic Cut Short
Valhalla FC’s run in the USASA Amateur Cup ends, yet again, in the Quarterfinals. Disaster struck early for Valhalla FC as four starters were unable to participate in the match due to injuries. Their opponent, Michigan Stars (U23), did not give Valhalla a chance to breathe. Countless counterattacks through the middle of the pitch undid Valhalla’s makeshift formation. Valhalla FC were the last remaining club within the Cincinnati area to compete in this tournament. As such, we will have to say goodbye to the chance of having a non-FCC club from the Tri-State in the USOC in 2026.
Continuing to Rise
It seems like a weekly occurrence that Kings Hammer FC Women make this feature, but how could you not take notice?! KHFC was recognized by the USL-W as being the 12th rated out of all 93 clubs according to their power rankings. KHFC had a chance to be the first Valley Division club this season to retain or improve on their ranking with a home match against Indy Eleven. At set piece goal from Kylee Simmons opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Natalie Bain heading another in the 76th minute off a free kick cross by Lilly Yordy. The KHFC defense was on full display as well recording their 3rd clean sheet to secure the 2-0 win. Full Recap via Jake Dickman at KHFCcincinnati.com
One Club Bows Out
Cincy SC have withdrawn from the Ohio Valley Premier League Women’s River Division for 2025. For the women’s side of the OVPL this makes the second club of the year, as the Cincinnati Sirens have yet to enter play and will likely sit out until indoor season resumes.
Cincy SC’s statement on the matter is that “Unfortunate and unforeseeable circumstances affected the club’s ability to put together a roster for the summer of 2025. We hope to resume our women’s OVPL squad in 2026.”
Other Scores in Our Area
Saturday 6/7:
- 7-0 | Frauengiest vs Hoosier Futbol Club
- 0-6 | Manu Ledesma Ac. at Indy Gladiators SC
- 2-2 | Kings Hammer (M) at West Virginia United
- 6-0 | Northern KY Nitro at Hoosier Futbol Club
- 1-8 | Dayton Dutch Lions (W) at Racing Louisville
- 2-4 | Dayton Dutch Lions (M) at Fort Wayne FC
Sunday 6/8:
- 3-0 | Valhalla FC vs QST Men’s Academy
- 2-5 | Bootleggers AC (M) at Danville Locomotive
- 0-2 | Bootleggers AC (W) at Lexington SC Academy
Wednesday 6/11:
- 1-5 | Valhalla FC vs Northern KY Nitro
- 0-3 | Cincy SC (M) at Indy Saints FC
- 2-0 | Kings Hammer (M) at KHFC Columbus
- 2-0 | Kings Hammer (W) vs Indy Eleven
- 2-1 | Bootleggers AC (M) vs Pro FC
Looking Forward
2025 FIFA Club World Cup is here!
The expanded Club World Cup competition kickoffs off in the United States this weekend. One of the host cities is Cincinnati. CST’s Bryan Weigel wrote about the competition back when it was first announced. This will include four matches at TQL Stadium. Be sure to check out the cup previews for each club by clicking their names. Prices for these matches have dropped significantly so this would be a good time to get in and watch a once in a lifetime event featuring the world’s best clubs.
FC Bayern fan event w/ Berni at The Empanada’s Box Findlay Market | Friday June 13 at 3:30pm
Bayern Munich vs Auckland City FC | Sunday June 15th at 12pm | Get-in-price $61 +fees
CF Pachuca vs FC Salzburg | Wednesday June 18th at 6pm | Get-in-price $33 +fees
Mamelodi Sundowns FC vs Borussia Dortmund | Saturday June 21st at 12pm | Get-in-price $35 +fees
Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan HD | Wednesday June 25th at 3pm | Get-in-price $25 +fees
For Reserved Parking, click HERE (Shout out to Mike Prentiss for sharing this information.)
Inaugural Season Finale
As the UPSL Spring season draws to a conclusion, Manu Ledesma Academy will have their final home match this Sunday. This was their first session at the UPSL level and things have worked out well. However, Manu Ledesma Academy were unable to capitalize on the successes of mid-May and have since found themselves in a two-match losing streak. But it is the growth and development that matters at this level. The academy will look to close out play against the table leaders Columbus Astray before regrouping for the Fall Season.
Goat on Goat Night
Marta, arguably one of the greatest female soccer players of all time, will be playing down in Louisville Friday, June 20th. This comes on the night that Racing Louisville will be honoring the city’s most famous native—nine-time world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali. On the pitch Racing will look to climb the table and crack the defensive juggernaut that is the Orlando Pride.
Hell is Real Tifo
The Forge Cincy is preparing for FC Cincinnati’s home leg against the Columbus Crew. They will be gathering at the Art Academy of Cincinnati June 14th, 15th, 21st, and 22nd to prepare and paint this year’s Hell is Real tifo. Come out and join the fun! Free to participate and fans of all ages are welcome. Click HERE for more details.
Match Schedule
Saturday 6/14
- 2:00PM | Ohio Galaxies FC at Hoosier Futbol Club
- 3:00PM | Northern KY Nitro vs Indy Saints FC
- 5:00PM | Dayton Dutch Lions (W) vs Racing Louisville | Stream
- 6:00PM | Cincy SC (M) vs QST Men’s Academy
- 7:00PM | Kings Hammer (M) vs Fort Wayne FC | Tickets / Stream
- 7:00PM | Dayton Dutch Lions (M) at KHFC Columbus | Stream
Sunday 6/15
- 2:00PM | Bootleggers AC (M) vs Hoosier FC
- 3:30PM | Manu Ledesma Ac. at Columbus Astray
- 4:00PM | Frauengiest at Lexington SC Academy
- 4:00PM | Bootleggers AC (W) vs Hoosier Futbol Club
- 6:00PM | Valhalla FC at Danville Locomotive
- 7:00PM | Kings Hammer (W) vs Lexington SC | Tickets / Stream
Monday 6/16
- 7:00PM | Dayton Dutch Lions (W) vs Indy Eleven | Stream
Wednesday 6/18
- 4:00PM | Valhalla FC vs Cincy SC
- 6:00PM | Kings Hammer (W) at Racing Louisville | Stream
- 7:00PM | Kings Hammer (M) vs Dayton Dutch Lions | Tickets / Stream
- 7:00PM | Ohio Galaxies FC vs Bootleggers AC
Thursday 6/19
- 7:00PM | Bootleggers AC (M) at Pro FC
Previous Newsletter
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