This season, the
Cincinnati Saints’ soccer team will play their home games at Stargel Stadium at Taft High School. The first men’s home game is tonight, and the women’s first home game is June 7.
Stargel seats 3,000, but can hold more than that in standing-room only.
“Soccer isn’t a sport you need to sit to watch,” says David Satterwhite, president and CEO of the Saints.
Although alcohol can’t be sold inside the stadium, the Saints are partnering with
Over-the-Rhine bars and restaurants for tailgates before and after games. Beer sales will benefit different nonprofits each week, with the Muscular Dystrophy Association as the first game's sponsor.
The Saints are also planning events at Fountain Square, such as watch parties for the World Cup.
“We want to show what a true soccer atmosphere can bring to the city,” Satterwhite says. “It’s always been in the suburbs, and now it’s coming downtown.”
The ultimate goal is to bring an MLS team to Cincinnati. According to Satterwhite, Cincinnati is a huge market for soccer because of the almost 60,000 kids who play the game in the area.
The men’s team has seven home games, and the women’s have five. All games are streamed live on
YouTube by official broadcasters. And if you want to watch a game in person, admission is $8.
By Caitlin Koenig
Follow Caitlin on Twitter
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