FC Cincinnati lost to the Seattle Sounders FC in its first Major League Soccer match last Saturday.
But the fact that Cincinnati now has an MLS team shows the growing popularity of the sport in the U.S. FC Cincinnati is the 24th franchise expansion team in the MLS.
Yet while soccer is gaining fans in the U.S. at the professional level, fewer young people are participating in the sport. According to a study by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, the percentage of 6- to 12-year-olds playing soccer regularly has dropped nearly 14 percent since 2015.
Joining Cincinnati Edition to discuss the rising popularity of professional soccer and local youth soccer programs, and to share their thoughts on how FC Cincinnati will fare this season, are founder and publisher of the soccer blog and podcast, , DJ Switzer; Juniors Coordinator Garry Hancock; and President of the FCC supporters group, , Jared Handra.
Another resource for anyone interested in leaning more about soccer is .
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