Futbol Club Cincinnati is targeting 20,000-plus season ticket holders and close to 30,000 fans per home match once the club begins play in Major League Soccer for 2019, club officials said recently.

Considering where FC Cincinnati is today in terms of its season-ticket holder base and where it projects to be, those numbers are certainly attainable.

"That would absolutely put us into an upper-tier category in (MLS), and that's always been the ultimate goal," said Jeff Smith, the team's vice president of ticket sales and services. "We're thrilled with where we are today, and ultimately 20,000-plus is our season-ticket goal, and 28,000 is going to be our game-to-game goal."

It's also important to note FC Cincinnati's progress to-date for fans on the fence about purchasing season tickets for 2019 because the window to act isn't open indefinitely.

That's not a high-pressure sales tactic or a threat. On the contrary, it's a simple truth that results from the kind of projections FC Cincinnati officials looking at for next season.

FC Cincinnati is at more than 14,000 confirmed season-tickets for its first season in MLS next year with more on the way in the immediate future.

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Not only are some of the 14,000 confirmed season-ticket holders still able to add seats for next year as part of the annual seat-improvement process, but club officials on Wednesday will begin working with new more than 1,300 deposit holders on new seat selection.

Also, none of the aforementioned numbers include corporate sponsorship package tickets, group sales or team-issued tickets.

Another wave of season-ticket holders is expected when the MLS produces its 2019 schedule next year.

Already, some sections of the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium are at or near capacity.

The Bailey supporters section had just 75 seats remaining as of Friday.

All premium seating options are already sold out, FC Cincinnati confirmed Monday.

Eventually, FC Cincinnati will have to cap season-ticket sales to ensure availability for popular options such as group seating.

Therefore, the opportunity to purchase season-tickets simply won't exist forever.

Smith said a commitment today will pay dividends in the near future and long-term.

"This is an unbelievable opportunity to get in on the front end and help us build this thing from scratch," Smith said. "At least give yourself an opportunity to make a decision and be on the forefront of being able to select seats in the new stadium in 2021."

FC Cincinnati's already averaging more than 25,000 fans per game in the United Soccer League, so it's not a stretch to think the club could push 28,000 per match or more for higher-caliber competition MLS will bring.

Based on 2018 MLS attendance figures, FC Cincinnati would have the third-best per match attendance number in MLS if it averaged 28,000, putting it ahead of clubs noted for their home support like Toronto FC (27,156 per match) and Los Angeles Galaxy (24,188 per match).

Only Seattle Sounders (40,623) and Atlanta United FC (52,273) average more than 28,000 in 2018.

Fans interested in more information on season tickets or placing a deposit for 2019 can call the club 513-977-KICK (5425).

Correction: A previous version of this story indicated suite-level tickets were still available for the 2019 FC Cincinnati slate of home matches at Nippert Stadium. In fact, all premium seating is sold out.