Spencer Richey is back in net for FC Cincinnati. He'll be fightin...

Cameron Knight and Dave Clark | Cincinnati Enquirer

Sam Greene, Cincinnati Enquirer

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On Tuesday, Major League Soccer officials are coming to Cincinnati for a "major announcement."

No one has officially said what that announcement will be, but it's hard to imagine it will be bad news for FC Cincinnati.

Many Cincinnatians are already planning the next step, including Councilman David Mann, who said West End residents, city and county leaders and fans all came together to make this happen.

“This is the end of the beginning. I’m ready to move on to the next step," Mann said. "It’s extremely exciting and a tribute to a lot of hard work by a lot of people. ... I look forward to being present at the announcement, whatever it is.”

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Max Ellerbe of Woodlawn told the Enquirer he's only missed one home game and that was for a close friend's wedding.

"I'm super pumped. We were never supposed to be part of this conversation," Ellerbe said.

He explained that Sacremento and Detroit are huge international cities.

"Then there's Cincinnati, this little city by the river, continuing to punch above its weight class," He said. "It's incredible. I'm still in disbelief. Like a lot of Cincinnatians, I carry that self-doubt in the back of my head. This is a nice thing; we're not supposed to have nice things."

He said he's proud Cincinnati is part of the growing sport of soccer.

"It was awesome to see it come to Cincinnati," Ellerbe said. "When it started to work, I felt like I was in dreamland."

Evan Floyd is a Cincinnati ex-pat living in Louisville. He is the co-host of the "In the House" podcast covering the Louisville City Football Club, one of FC Cincinnati's chief rivals in the United Soccer League.

"It's a blow for the USL as the size of FCC's fan support was unparalleled in the league," Floyd told the Enquirer. "It's exciting for Cincinnati. They never disguised that their goal was to get to the MLS."

Floyd couldn't miss the opportunity to take a dig at FC Cincinnati's on-field record and question what "success" led the MLS to choose the team.

"If success is measured by attendance or 4th place tournament finishes, then they've been successful," he said.

Councilman Amy Murray said a city the size of Cincinnati having three major sports teams will have a major impact on courting businesses to the city.

“FCC has brought tremendous excitement and energy to Cincinnati,” Murray said. "I’m excited to see them grow.”

Not everyone is thrilled. For Oakley Community Council member Chris Mucha, the excitement of the announcement is overshadowed by the public money and tax incentives going toward the stadium.

"We have so many funding issues in Cincinnati," Mucha said. "I'm glad it's not going in Oakley. ... But residents of Oakley will still suffer trying to fund it. It’s going to have a big impact long term.”

Oakley resident Jake Donovan disagrees. He said he's excited to see the growth Cincinnati realizes with an MLS team.

FC Cincinnati's decision to focus on a West End stadium site has been contentious, especially in the neighborhood itself. However, some residents are sharing in the excitement.

Abdiel Acevedo has lived on Dayton Street for the past three years.

"The West End is filled with history, passionate people and great architecture," Acevedo said. "I believe FC Cincinnati will give the West End the little push it needs to become a Downtown destination."

Other fans are excited to be part of the journey.

"I couldn't be more excited for MLS to possibly come to town. It's been so amazing watching this organization grow from an ambitious startup to (hopefully) a major league franchise," season ticket holder Andrew Koch said. "You can really feel how it's energized the city and brought it together.

Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld credited the fans for getting Cincinnati recognized by the MLS.

"Our city can use some good news, so it's exciting that good news is on the way," Sittenfeld said. "The fans deserve the game ball for willing this outcome."

Others took to Twitter with reactions:

I'm so damn excited for #MLS2Cincy. Seems like the hard work of a lot of incredible people is finally going to pay off. I wasn't one of those people, but I know a lot of them and I couldn't be more proud of them. @fccincinnati to the moon. — paco (@AllaireMatt) May 24, 2018

It's okay to be proud enough of #Cincinnati to cry next Tuesday, right @FCCincinnati faithful? pic.twitter.com/ag7fDLPbat — Michael Stump (@Alchmst_dsgn) May 24, 2018

I am really proud of our fans, my city. Watching FC Cincinnati being built by supporters, fans bringing everyone they could to matches the last three years has been amazing. The fans put FCC on the soccer map three years ago and have never stopped. — Boßton Brazzell (@BostonKeith) May 24, 2018

I don’t even know what to tweet I’m so excited! pic.twitter.com/Bo1mtHTfj6 — Legion ßupporter Club (@LegionCincy) May 24, 2018

I have thought a lot about #CrewSC and FC Cincinnati being tied (i.e. if Cincy gets a bid is that the end for #CrewSC). In this case, and given the timing, I don't think they necessarily are. Still a LOT that needs to be hammered out in Austin the next 60 days. — Andrew Erickson (@AEricksonCD) May 24, 2018