CINCINNATI KINGS

'Cincinnati Kings' are an American soccer team, founded in 2005. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues Second Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. They currently play their home games in the stadium at the Town and Country Sports Club, just across the state of Ohio border in the city of Wilder, Kentucky, 9 miles south of downtown Cincinnati. Previously, the Kings played at the stadium on the campus of Xavier University. The team's colors are red and black.
The Kings are owned by Yacoub Abdallahi, an entrepreneur from north Africa who graduated from Northern Kentucky University where he played soccer. Abdallahi has stated that the club may be losing money, but he feels the area deserves a club it can be proud of.
The current head coach is Englishman Jon Pickup, who previously played for the English U-16 National Team, and clubs Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and Chester City. In 2006 Pickup was awarded the USL D2 Manager of the Year Award.
The Kings current assistant coach is legendary former Bolton Wanderers striker John McGinlay, who in addition to turning out for several other clubs played over 200 league and cup games and scored over 100 goals for the northwest club, becoming a fan favorite for his no-nonsense style and commitment to the cause.
The Kings general manager, J.T. Roberts, was an All-American at Northern Kentucky University and was drafted by the New England Revolution of MLS and the Carolina Dynamo of the USL.
The Kings have had two solid seasons, finishing mid table (5th of 9) in first season (2005) and qualifying for the playoffs (4th of 9) in their second season (2006). In the 2006 playoffs the Kings pushed the eventual champions Richmond Kickers to a 2-1 result on aggregate (2-1 first leg, 0-0 second leg).

Contents

Player Awards

Kings in MLS

Current Squad

Coaching Staff

Year-by-year

Average Attendance

Record

US Open Cup

Supporter's Group

Chants

External links

Player Awards

In 2006 several Kings were rewarded for their quality play. Defender Derek Smith was named to the USL Second Division First Team while midfielder Josh Barton and goalkeeper Jordan James were named to the USL Second Division Second Team.
This is the second year in a row that Smith has been named to the Second Division First Team. Anchoring the Kings' defense as a central defender, Smith has been valuable offensive weapon this year as well, totaling three goals and one assist. Smith played in 17 games this year logging 1397 minutes.
Barton has contributed at both the midfield and defender positions. After joining the team halfway through last year, Barton posted one goal and one assist in 18 games and 1462 minutes in 2006, his first full year with the team.
James, a newcomer to the Kings after playing with the Wilmington Hammerheads last year, started 19 games as goalkeeper for Cincinnati and posted a 1.315 goals against average. He led the Second Division in shutouts (eight) and saves (84).

Kings in MLS

King's players have also been playing with MLS clubs. Six Kings players have suited up for the Columbus Crew Reserves in the months after the Kings 2006 season ended and Jordan James has also suited up for FC Dallas. Four were on the field together for a match between the Crew Reserves and FC Dallas Reserves with Trey Alexander, Nowaf Jaman, and John Krause suiting up for the Columbus side and James with the Dallas side. James, Derek Smith, and Jon Caldwell have all been working out with the Crew Reserves this fall as well. Goalkeeper Jordan James has signed with the MLS team Houston Dynamo for the 2007 season.

Current Squad

''As of July 24, 2007''

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Jon Pickup

Assistant Coach: John McGinlay

Year-by-year

Year	Division	League	Reg. Season	Playoffs	Open Cup
2005	3	USL Second Division	5th	''Did not qualify''	1st Round
2006	3	USL Second Division	4th	Semifinals	2nd Round
2007	3	USL Second Division	8th	''Did not qualify''	1st Round

Average Attendance

★ 2005: 1,301

★ 2006: 1,153 (1,182 with playoffs)

Record

★ 2005: 7 Wins, 8 Losses, 5 Draws, 26 Points (5th Place)

★ 2006: 9 Wins, 8 Losses, 3 Draws, 30 Points (4th Place)

US Open Cup

The Kings have yet to win a US Open Cup match.

★ 2005: Lost in First Round to USASA Reggae Boyz 4-2

★ 2006: Lost in Second Round to USL PDL Michigan Bucks 2-1

★ 2007: Lost in First Round to USASA Bavarians FC 1-0

Supporter's Group

In 2006 the Cincinnati Kings supporters founded a group dubbed The Pride inspired by the lion in the club's crest. The dedicated group cheers on the Kings every game with banners, flags, drums and chants. The Pride's crest has the message Juncta Juvant which was inspired by the city of Cincinnati flag which also has the message which means "Strength in Unity".
The Pride can be found online at http://www.myspace.com/ckfc_pride

Chants

The Pride has several chants ★ Pride of the MidwestWho are we!?!We are the Kings of Ohio!We are the pride of the whole Midwest!Until we hoist the cup,Our club will never rest!We are the Kings of Ohio!We are the pride of the whole Midwest!And all the other clubs know,That we're simply the best! ★ Join usJoin us in this songTogether we shall singRise up and be countedSing a Song for your KingsJoin us in this songTogether we shall seeOur proud club all the wayOn to Victory! ★ Ode to PickupSay hey Jon PickupOur Battle callUnited we stand, divided we fallTogether we are what we can't be aloneYou came to this club, made our own ★ Good old KingsGood old Kings,Good old Kings,We're proud to say that name.And while we sing this song,We know we'll win the game. ★ Go Kings!Clap Clap Clap Clap ClapClap Clap Clap ClapGO KINGS!

External links

★ Official Site of the Cincinnati Kings