Bowdeya Tweh

btweh@enquirer.com

Wearing a blue and orange FC Cincinnati pin on his suit jacket, Carl H. Lindner III beamed with pride Tuesday when asked about the team's early success.

Lindner, who spoke after American Financial Group's annual shareholders meeting, said the team's performance and the support from the region's fan base has exceeded the expectations of owners and partners. Lindner serves as co-CEO of the Downtown-based Fortune 500 insurance holding company and CEO of Futbol Club Cincinnati.

The team has started 5-2-2 in its inaugural United Soccer League season and 23,375 fans watched FC Cincinnati beat the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1-0 at Nippert Stadium Saturday. Attendance at Saturday's match was a USL record for a single game, besting the mark FC Cincinnati set in April.

"There's a real, authentic soccer movement that's happening in Cincinnati right now," Lindner said. "There's a lot of energy at the games (and there's) a quality team and a quality coach."

Record FC Cincy crowd nearly bests all of MLS

Lindner is one of nine owners of FC Cincinnati. The other owners are Chris Lindner, David Thompson, Jeff Berding, Scott Farmer, Steve Hightower, George Joseph, Mike Mossel, and Jack Wyant, according to the team's website. Berding is also the team's general manager.

The big crowds are fueling fan hopes that Cincinnati can make the jump to Major League Soccer. Last month, the Associated Press reported Lindner contacted MLS Commissioner Don Garber as part of an early pitch for the Queen City team to join the growing top-tier soccer league.

When asked about the MLS Tuesday, Lindner said the expansion decisions the league will make are out of the team's control. He also didn't describe the nature of conversations he's had with MLS leaders. However, he noted an article posted on Major League Soccer's website touting FC Cincinnati's recent attendance accomplishment.

"Our goal was to put together a quality staff, quality coach and quality team and play at the highest level that we can," Lindner said. "All we can do is try to produce and have a good team."