New York City FC take on FC Cincinnati this Saturday at TQL Stadium.
For this edition of 'The Away End' presented by Berkeley College & Rennert International, we spoke to Tom Gelehrter, the voice of FC Cincinnati.
Hi Tom, thanks so much for speaking with us. How long have you been covering FC Cincinnati?
I have been with FC Cincinnati since before the club played its game in the USL. I was fortunate to be involved in some of the original planning for the club and then was named their Play-by-Play Voice for their Inaugural season in the USL and did the same in 2019 when the club transitioned to Major League Soccer. I'm very proud to now be in my ninth season calling their matches.
What has been your highlight in that time?
Fortunately, I have been able to experience a handful of great moments with the club. The 2017 US Open Cup run, the MLS bid, and our Inaugural home match in 2019. But without a doubt, the number one highlight of my time covering the club was the 2023 run to win the Supporters’ Shield. The thrill of watching that team move into first place in May and then maintain that position throughout the regular season was a treat. That success, coupled with the tough road the team experienced for the first three years in MLS was a really special moment for everyone who has been around with the club for five-plus years.
How would you evaluate the team's start to the season?
I think after four weeks of the 2024 season the club is in a really good position. These four works were not easy. The club had to play 8 matches including mid-week games in Jamaica and Mexico. Often when teams are in Concacaf Champions Cup they see their early season league results suffer. That said, having 8 points after 4 MLS games, during a stretch of 8 games in 25 days is very impressive. Couple that with the team putting up two impressive performances against Monterrey, the top-ranked team in Concacaf, and I think there are a lot of positives to grow on this season.
What are your hopes for the team in 2024?
I think it has to be more trophies. The bar has been set high following the Shield in 2023 and being incredibly close to advancing to MLS Cup. Now with that bar set high I think the hopes have to be for additional trophies…MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, Leagues Cup. All are on the table and all are definitely goals for the club.
What do you think will be the deciding factor in Saturday's game?
A quick start for FC Cincinnati will probably be a big deciding factor this weekend. The Orange and Blue haven’t scored at home in MLS play this year. TQL Stadium was such a fortress last year that winning was the standard and it happened most nights. If the team can get a goal in the first 15 minutes and break things open a bit that will add additional energy to the crowd and could swing the momentum heavily towards the hosts.
For any of our fans who might be in the city for the game, are there any pre-match spots you'd suggest they check out?
Many great spots near the stadium. The Pitch is directly across from the main entrance and a great spot for soccer fans to gather before and after the match. Just a short walk from the stadium is the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood which includes countless places to eat and drink including a few of my favorties…Taglio for pizza, Sacred Beast for upscale diner food, Nostalgia for drinks and jazz music, and there’s a Graeter’s for anyone that needs a great scoop of ice cream.
