USWNT notes: Jill Ellis talks FC Cincinnati, Rapinoe talks NWSL prospects

As soon as the words left the mouth of United States women's national team head coach Jill Ellis, she seemed to playfully acknowledge that she might have spoken out of turn about Major League Soccer expansion, and Futbol Club Cincinnati's prominent place in that process.

"I'm sure they'll get an MLS team," Ellis said during a Monday press conference ahead of her U.S. team's Tuesday friendly against New Zealand on FC Cincinnati's home ground, the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium.

Ellis immediately followed up on that comment: "I'm sure I just pissed someone off saying that. Sorry."

Laughter ensued from around the room.

While prominent figures in U.S. soccer often shy away from any remarks that could be perceived as favoritism in the expansion race, Ellis' comments were clearly a well-intentioned nod to the booming soccer movement in Cincinnati and little else.

"This has become, you know, a city that's now known for its soccer, and good players are coming out of here," Ellis said. "There's obviously a youth organization here but I just think that the pride and the sense – I've seen some of these (FC Cincinnati) games on television. It's crazy. They're awesome. It's great atmosphere, and that's what you can want as a coach, to have great atmosphere, so hoping to see that tomorrow, but yeah, FC Cincinnati is doing really well."

In just its second year of competition, FC Cincinnati has taken firm hold of most United Soccer League attendance records, including the regular and postseason single-game records, and the single-season record.

Ellis' national team side should benefit from Cincinnati's rabid soccer fandom Tuesday when the "USWNT" hosts New Zealand.

As of Monday evening, ticket sales were inching closer to surpassing the 30,000 mark for the match.

A crowd of about 18,000 attended a match between the two teams Friday in Commerce City, Colorado.

Tuesday's match is on pace to be the highest-attended U.S. women's national team match out of the 11 played in 2017 (nine games played in America).

MEGAN RAPINOE TALKS CINCINNATI'S NWSL POTENTIAL

Cincinnati's proven it can sustain support for a professional men's soccer team, but Tuesday's expected crowd for the U.S. women's national team match has plenty wondering if the city could also one day support a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise.

It's impossible to be sure at this point, but U.S. midfielder Megan Rapinoe said she sees potential in Cincinnati.

"For sure, that's a really encouraging sign for (the national team) to be able to get that many people in a non-MLS market," Rapinoe said during a Monday news conference. "I think the team (FC Cincinnati) is eventually going to go for an MLS team, so I think if an NWSL team can come in under that umbrella, I think that would be huge. ...Hopefully, eventually. That would be great."

Rapinoe currently plays in the NWSL as a member of Seattle Reign FC