Supporters’ Shield
The West End Stadium’s fireworks display at the beginning of the match on October 4, 2023—the night that the Supporters’ Shield would be officially presented to FC Cincinnati.
Some photographs I made for Die Innenstadt of the Supporters’ Shield. An annual award given to the Major League Soccer club with the best regular season record, the trophy is recognized by the league—but was created by, and is overseen by, independent fans. FC Cincinnati claimed the shield in 2023.
FC Cincinnati is presented with the 2023 Supporters’ Shield on October 4, 2023.
Residing in Cincinnati until another club claims the title, the prize is insured and managed by local fans during its stay. Even if the club’s front office wants to use the shield in marketing or merchandising, they need the permission of the Supporters’ Shield Foundation. In a world of increasingly out-of-touch corporate soccer where MLS continues to be a Mickey Mouse league, there’s still some authenticity in this piece of silverware.
From back-to-back Wooden Spoons to the Supporters’ Shield.
Meat raffle in Support of “It Starts with the Shoes”
Hosted by Die Innenstadt and Caballeros at Binski’s.
At Mecklenburg Gardens
A former home for Die Innenstadt.
At Nippert Stadium
The home venue for FC Cincinnati from 2016 to 2020 before the 2021 debut of the West End Stadium.
Die Innenstadt scarves representing each year of play (including the years in the USL Championship).
Die Innenstadt scarves representing the seasons spent at Nippert Stadium.
Die Innenstadt scarves representing the years spent in MLS.
Traditionally home to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats Football Program, Nippert Stadium served as the home venue for FC Cincinnati from 2016-2020. The north end zone is where “Hell is Real” was born in 2017.
At Skyline Chili
On the corner of Ludlow and Clifton where many good match days once ended,
Since 2007, the content of this website (and its former life as Queen City Discovery) has been a huge labor of love.
If you’ve enjoyed stories like The Ghost Ship, abandoned amusement parks, the Cincinnati Subway, Fading Ads, or others over the years—might you consider showing some support for future projects?
