Doc: Even before FC Cincinnati won, they'd won

Show Caption Hide Caption See the unbelievable end to the FC Cincinnati, Chicago Fire match Pat Brennan and Charlie Hatch review the FC Cincinnati vs. Chicago Fire FC game.

Groggy AM to youse. Attended the FC Cincy madness last evening. Home at 1, up at 730. You know the drill. Or maybe you don’t.

Oh, what a night.

I’m not Soccer Guy, as you know. What I know about futbol could be inscribed on the cover of a matchbook. I know stories, though, and this one is among the best. FCC karma is like nothing we’ve seen in local pro sports in. . . in. . .

Forever, maybe.

I’m waiting for the first false step, on or off the field. Not waiting as in rubbing my hands in anticipatory glee. I’m no killjoy. (Believe it or not.) Waiting out of curiosity. In 30 years here, I’ve never experienced a run of fortune like this with The Men or The Club. 1990 comes close. That was 27 years ago.

Even before they won, they’d won. Nippert was packed, the game was taut, the crowd was spectacular. The Nip at night is a highly telegenic place. ESPN must have loved it. Great theatre, great atmosphere, great TV. As I wrote for the column, FCC has passed the audition. Time for the close-up.

Inevitably this leads to the Stadium Thing. FCC’s ambitious plan to become Major League involves a stand-alone stadium. I hope MLS big-timers watched last night. Old Lady Nippert is already ready. The only reason the MLS makes its stadium demand is because it can.

No new palace could surpass what’s happening at Nippert. Especially if the palace were in Newport. I have nothing against K-Y. In fact, I think it’d be great if NK-Y pulled its own tax weight and paid for something Ohio could look at.

But Ohio fans might not be thrilled, if the reaction to FCC’s stadium proposal was any indication. Booooo! said Ohio, upon hearing GM Jeff Berding’s mention of the Newport location.

Regardless, once everyone in the MLS offices gets past his or her greed, it’s obvious Nippert is the best solution. There’s nothing wrong with it and everything right. I could give you 250 million reasons why.

Unfortunately, that won’t be how it works, because greed rules in professional sports.

Anyway, perfect evening for Cincinnati pro sports last night. We don’t get many of those.

Now, then. . .

I UNDERESTIMATED THE FUTBOL CLUB’S APPEAL. . . said the other day it’d outdraw the Reds by 10K. I was way off. It was 10,445.

Futbol, 32,287… Club 21,842

When do the naysayers stop dismissing this competition?

The last thing the Reds need is someone else siphoning attendance dollars away from GABP. The promise of youth hasn’t inspired the Reds faithful, Dayton was, is and always will be a drain on the Reds draw. Now an upstart whippersnapper from soccer’s minor leagues is doing the job, in only its second season.

CUBS CUT MONTERO, EVEN IF WHAT HE SAID WAS ACCURATE. . . The good ship Chicago is listing badly. Ain’t it great? Cubs braintrust might not be scapegoating Miguel Montero, but it sure looks like it.

Here’s what they cut him for saying, after yet another L and yet another mediocre Arrieta performance, this one including 7 Nationals stolen bases:

“It really sucked because the stolen bases go to me, and when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn't give me any time," Montero said after the game. "So it's just like, 'Yeah, OK Miggy can't throw nobody out,' but my pitcher doesn't hold anybody on. ...

"That's the reason why they were running left and right today because they know he was slow to the plate. Simple as that. It's a shame that it's my fault because I didn't throw anybody out."

And the kicker:

Montero has yet to throw out a runner in 31 attempts this year - regardless of pitcher. (USA Today)

And the Sure Thing team in the NL is still playing .500 ball.

AND NOW, THE –ESPONDENTS DAZZLE US WITH THEIR FUN KNOWLEDGE.

First off, Beer-espondent emeritus Tristen pinch-hits for his hand-picked replacement, BeerManDave:

Asheville Beer Stuff

Greetings Mobsters! I've returned like King James to CLE with the sole purpose of saving you from the IPA obsessed/Cubs loving/C+ humor droning on from Beer Guy Dave. I now live in Asheville NC and BGD had the genius/pointless idea of a beer battle between Cincy and AVL. Lame, right? I'd rather attack him personally for my own personal entertainment, drink beer and laugh like a super villain at the absurdity of it all. Let the chalk fly to the heavens.

My new abode is located in a downtown AVL area called the 'South Slope.' I can walk to about a dozen breweries and see 4 of them from my balcony. Not bad. Come visit. Here are a few favs so far.

3 Great AVL Beers:

- Green Man ESB: An amber ale in the British tradition and only 5.5% so you can have more than one.

- Hi Wire Hi Pitch IPA: A bigger beer at 6.7% built around a strong presence of malt and mosaic hops. It avoids the punch-you-in-the-face hoppiness worshiped by Mr. BGD.

- Catawba King Coconut Porter: Totally unique session beer that pairs well with Thai food or fish and chips. Great year round option.

Slainte, Tristen

What, no mention of Iron Rail IPA, available only at the source, The Wedge? Good. Don’t tell anybody. More for me and the prodigal son in August.

AND FUN MAVEN PATRICK. . .

Somehow, we’ve moved into 4th of July Weekend territory and I’m not quite sure how we got here. Summer is scooting along and there is plenty to do around town this weekend, if you’re sticking around. The Naked Karate Girls play tonight at the Live at the Levee summer concert series down in Newport. Starting at 7:00 pm and playing until 10:00 pm, they bring their high-octane show to the Newport area.

Learn more here. Oh yeah, and it’s free!

Or, check out another free admission show for the Paradise on the Point music fest down at Sawyer Point on Friday and Saturday. Admission is free and Taft’s Ale House will have food, beers, crafts and more all weekend long. Saturday’s lineup is also stacked (Infamous String dusters, Lettuce, Turkan, Strange Mechanics). Learn more here.

Head on down to the 4th of July Jam in Washington Park on Saturday from 3-10 pm for games, activities, music, craft beers and more. Celebrate America in the heart of Cincinnati. Learn more here.

For all of you runners out there, St. Bernard is holding a 5k run for $10 on Saturday at 9:30 am. Learn more about the upcoming race here.

Happy 4th everyone!

TUNE O’ THE DAY. . . My homeboys from the mean streets of downtown Bethesda, MD. Accept no substitutes. Jimmy Thackeray’s gee-tar peels paint.