CINCINNATI – The crowds at FC Cincinnati home games are regularly praised in post-game press conferences. Record-smashing attendance figures have drawn headlines here and abroad the past three years. And now, it’s the norm for the second-tier United Soccer League club to outdraw some Major League Soccer sides.



Local support for the Orange and Blue played a crucial factor in the club winning an MLS expansion bid three months ago.



But when the club rises to the top division next year, its attendance figures – which once drew FCC recognition as “America’s hottest new team” – will no longer be the talk of soccer pundits. Averaging 25,000 fans or more next year likely will still make FCC one of the top-drawing franchises in MLS, but even capacity crowds at Nippert Stadium (and later, the new stadium in the West End) will pale in comparison to what Atlanta United and Seattle Sounders have achieved in NFL stadiums.



As an MLS...