One week ago, 30,160 fans, most cheering for FC Cincinnati, packed into Nippert Stadium for a U.S. Open Cup triumph over Columbus Crew SC. Over the weekend, the Black & Gold again ventured south to the lively Bobby Dodd Stadium where 44,922 fans cheered on expansion side Atlanta United to a 3-1 victory.
What’s happened on the field over the past week for Columbus has stung, but what’s more painful is what’s happening off the field, in the bleachers of MAPFRE Stadium.
Attendance averages for the Black & Gold’s 2017 season are a shave above 13,000 through eight home matches — the lowest since 2011.