Despite their 3-2 loss to Columbus Crew on Saturday, Dec. 2, it was still a momentous (and historic) occasion for FC Cincinnati. For the first time in the club’s history, FC Cincinnati had progressed to the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Finals. Fans young and old showed up to cheer on FC Cincinnati during their historic game at TQL Stadium.

Keep scrolling for everything CityBeat spotted during the historic occasion.

Photos by John Haggard

Fan holds a sign alluding to FC Cincinnati player Matt Miazga’s suspension ahead of their game on Saturday | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Fireworks shooting off as both teams enter the pitch | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
A fan holds a sign during the pregame Bailey march | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
A member of the Bailey carrying the Supporters’ Shield into TQL Stadium | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Bailey marcher with a Hell is Real scarf | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
A member of the pregame Bailey march | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Fireworks shooting off as both teams enter the pitch | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Fireworks shooting off as both teams enter the pitch | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
A member of the Bailey carrying the Supporters’ Shield into TQL Stadium | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Leaders of the Bailey | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Fireworks shooting off as both teams enter the pitch | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Fans showing their support of Matt Miazga before the game | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Fireworks shooting off as both teams enter the pitch | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Fans during the pregame march | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Fans showing their support for Matt Miazga ahead of the game | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
A member of the Bailey carrying the Supporters’ Shield into TQL Stadium | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Leaders of the Bailey | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Fans during the pregame march to the stadium | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
A member of the Bailey carrying the Supporters’ Shield into TQL Stadium | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez scores and celebrates his goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez scores and celebrates his goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez scores and celebrates his goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez scores and celebrates his goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Columbus Crew lifting the Eastern Conference trophy after a 3-2 win | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez scores and celebrates his goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez scores and celebrates his goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Frustration from Captain Lucho Acosta after a missed opportunity | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez scores and celebrates his goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez scores and celebrates his goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez scores and celebrates his goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Lucho Acosta taking on the Columbus Crew defense | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez is fouled at the top of the box, resulting in a Luchon Acosta free kick goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Lucho Acosta taking on the Columbus Crew defense | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Álvaro Barreal taking on the Columbus backline | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
A Columbus Crew defender clearing the ball out from the backline | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Lucho Acosta before taking a corner kick | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Álvaro Barreal taking on the Columbus Crew backline | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Columbus lifting the Eastern Conference trophy after a 3-2 win | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Aaron Boupendza beating the Columbus goalie for a goal but the goal was called back | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Columbus goalkeeper after scoring the game-deciding goal for Columbus | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
The Eastern Conference trophy | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez is fouled at the top of the box, resulting in a Lucho Acosta free kick goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Aaron Boupendza being chased down the pitch by a Columbus defender | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez is fouled at the top of the box, resulting in a Lucho Acosta free kick goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Álvaro Barreal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez is fouled at the top of the box, resulting in a Lucho Acosta free kick goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Aaron Boupendza beating the Columbus goalie for a goal, but the goal was called back | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Álvaro Barreal passing the ball between two Columbus defenders | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez is fouled at the top of the box, resulting in a Lucho Acosta free kick goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez is fouled at the top of the box, resulting in a Lucho Acosta free kick goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Brandon Vazquez is fouled at the top of the box, resulting in a Lucho Acosta free kick goal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Dominique Badji dribbling into the 18-yard box | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Álvaro Barreal | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Frustration from both teams after a foul called by the head pro official Allen Chapman | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Lucho Acosta taking on the Columbus defense | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Aaron Boupendza taking a shot inside the 18-yard box | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
A Columbus player after the final whistle | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Lucho Acosta fighting for one more opportunity | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Lucho Acosta taking on the Columbus defense | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Columbus lifting the Eastern Conference trophy after a 3-2 win | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Álvaro Barreal dribbling through the midfield | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Eastern Conference trophy | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Total attendance from the game | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Álvaro Barreal dribbling through the midfield | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Yuya Kubo playing the pass wide for FCC | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Lucho Acosta taking on the Columbus defense | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Young FCC fans with a Brandon Vazquez sign | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard
Lucho Acosta taking on the Columbus defense | FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew on Dec. 2, 2023 Photo: John Haggard