| Other names | Dirty River Derby |
|---|---|
| Location | Ohio Valley |
| First meeting | CIN 2–3 LOU 2016 USL (April 16, 2016 (2016-04-16)) |
| Latest meeting | CIN 1–0 LOU 2023 U.S. Open Cup (April 26, 2023) |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 12 |
| Most wins | FC Cincinnati (6) |
| Top scorer | Chandler Hoffman (LOU) (3 goals) |
| All-time series | Cincinnati: 6 Drawn: 2 Louisville: 4 |
| Largest victory | LOU 5–0 CIN 2017 USL (August 12, 2017) |
TheDirty River Derby, also known as theRiver Cities Cup, is a rivalry between American soccer clubs representingCincinnati, Ohio andLouisville, Kentucky. From 2016 to 2018, the cities were respectively represented in the second-tier league now known as theUSL Championship byFC Cincinnati andLouisville City FC. Both teams played in the Eastern Conference of what was then known as the United Soccer League, and the River Cities Cup was contested solely in regular-season matches between the two sides, with the winner of the regular-season series claiming the cup. After the 2018 season, FC Cincinnati ceased USL operations, with the ownership group having been awarded aMajor League Soccer franchise that began play under theFC Cincinnati name in 2019. From that point forward, the rivalry only takes place if the two teams are drawn together in theU.S. Open Cup, with the first such meeting after FC Cincinnati's arrival in MLS taking place in2019.
The teams are located in cities situated on theOhio River and are separated by roughly 100 miles ofInterstate 71. The winner of the regular-season series won the cup for that year.
The last regular-season league match between the teams began on September 11,2018 (resumed and completed on September 14 due to weather), with FC Cincinnati winning 1–0. The final cup holders are Louisville City, who retained the cup by winning the previous two regular-season matches that season.[1]
Before the formation of Louisville City and FC Cincinnati, various soccer clubs, both professional and amateur, played in the respective regions. TheDerby City Rovers played in the fourth-divisionPremier Development League and played at the Woehrle Sports Complex in Louisville's northern suburb,Jeffersonville, Indiana. TheLouisville metropolitan area also housed two indoor soccer teams prior to Louisville City: theLouisville Lightning, who played in theMajor Arena Soccer League from 2009 until 2013,[2] and theLouisville Thunder who played in theAmerican Indoor Soccer Association from 1984 until 1987.
The rivalry between the two cities long predates the arrival of professional soccer in the region; most notably, the largest universities in the two cities, theUniversity of Cincinnati andUniversity of Louisville, had a longstandingfootballrivalry that ended in 2013 due toconference realignment.
Both clubs were formed in the early to mid 2010s. The formation of Louisville City FC began with the formation of the club's current supporters group, The Coopers, whom aimed to build a grassroots support base to bring a professional soccer team to Louisville.[3] The following year, a local ownership group invited the owners ofOrlando City to meet with the Coopers supporters group. In 2015, the team Louisville City was born and served as the USL affiliate for Orlando City as they jumped from USL toMajor League Soccer.[4] In 2016, the affiliation ended with Orlando City creating its ownreserve team to field in USL.[5]
That same year, reports swirled of USL seeking expansion into Cincinnati.[6] The formation of the ownership group came from a partnership between theCincinnati BengalsNFL franchise and the former soccer club in the region, theCincinnati Kings, when Jeff Berding was named as part of the potential ownership group.[7] In the summer of 2015, more details on the new club were announced. The Lindner family, ofAmerican Financial Group headquartered in Cincinnati, was announced the owner of the new club withCarl Lindner III representing the owners at the press conference.[8] Subsequently, the team name "FC Cincinnati" was announced as the club's name, as well as their coach, and stadium.[9]
While already unofficially known among fans as "The Dirty River Derby", an online poll by both clubs was released asking fans what their preferred name for the series cup would be. Amongst the options included the "River Cities Cup", the "Steamboat Cup", the "Royal Cup", the "100 Mile Cup" or the "Riverboat Rivalry Cup".[10] On February 5, 2016, it was announced the "River Cities Cup" had won.[11]
The two teams played their first match on April 16, 2016, atNippert Stadium in Cincinnati in front of a then-USL-record crowd of 20,497. Cincinnati jumped to an early lead over Louisville with a sixth-minute goal fromAustin Berry. Louisville'sChandler Hoffman scored the first hat-trick in series history, scoring three unanswered goals for Louisville in the next 30 minutes to give Louisville a 3–1 lead over Cincinnati. In the 40th minute, Louisville'sSean Reynolds received the first red card in series history and Louisville played the final 50 minutes down to ten men. Cincinnati was able to score a late goal in the 90th minute, but the match ended 3–2 in Louisville's favor. The return leg in Louisville ended as a scoreless draw as four yellow cards were dished out. Cincinnati would ultimately win the series in 2016 against Louisville, by earning a 2–0 victory on July 23, 2016. USL golden boot winner,Sean Okoli scored the insurance goal.
| External image | |
|---|---|
 Photos taken by EM Dash Photography allegedly show Djiby biting McCabe's face. In one photo, Djiby's face is directly pressed against McCabe's right cheek, and in another, a mark is visible on McCabe's cheek. |
The rivalry continued into its second season when Louisville visited Cincinnati for a USL match on Saturday, April 22, 2017.[12] Tensions rose between the clubs after an incident in the 87th minute, when Cincinnati forwardDjiby Fall was shown a straight red card and then briefly had an exchange of words with Louisville midfielderNiall McCabe before exiting the pitch. In a post-match interview, Louisville head coachJames O'Connor alleged Djiby bit McCabe's cheek during this exchange.[13] FC Cincinnati denied the claims the next day, writing in a statement, "We have seen no evidence to substantiate the allegations made by Louisville City Head Coach James O'Connor and it is our belief his post-match comments are not true. [...] Any attempt to portray Djiby as a dirty player is extremely unfair."[14]
Fans of both clubs clashed on social media for several days in the wake of the allegations. The USL's weekly disciplinary report, published the following Wednesday, announced that Djiby's red card suspension would be extended to six games for "major game misconduct", which they later confirmed was for biting an opponent.[15] FC Cincinnati managerJeff Berding sent out a newsletter to fans the next day, stating that the USL decision had come after a failed appeal attempt by Cincinnati. He wrote that the club respected the USL decision even though they disagreed with it, and that the club continued to support Djiby, stating, "[we] will welcome him when he returns and I hope you will do the same."[16]
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Louisville and Cincinnati faced each other in their first non-USL match on May 31, 2017, when they met in thethird round of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup, again hosted in Cincinnati. AlthoughDjiby's six-game suspension (originating from the previous Cincinnati–Louisville match) had not yet ended, he was allowed to play as in-league suspensions do not apply to the U.S. Open Cup. Cincinnati won 1–0, with Djiby scoring the sole goal at the 48th minute.[17]
The two clubs did not meet again until the next season, when Louisville won 1–0 at FC Cincinnati's home opener on April 7, 2018. Lou City officially retained the cup for 2018 with a 2–0 win on May 26, also at Nippert Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Louisville 1–0 in the final regular season match between the two clubs on September 11, 2018.
FC Cincinnati moved up toMajor League Soccer after the 2018 USL season, putting the two teams in different leagues for the first time. The cup is no longer officially recognized since the teams are not guaranteed to compete every season. The two teams have since met twice in the U.S. Open Cup; in thefourth round of the 2019 U.S. Open Cup on June 12, 2019, at Nippert Stadium, and in thethird round of the 2023 U.S. Open Cup on April 26, 2023, at TQL Stadium.
Home team is listed on the left, away team is listed on the right. Home team's score is listed first.
Cincinnati win Louisville win Draw
| April 16, 2016USL | FC Cincinnati | 2–3 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, OH |
| 7:00 PMEDT | Berry 6'Okoli  9'Delbridge 31'McMahon 90+2' | USL Report FCC Report LC Report | Hoffman 17' (pen.),24',33' Reynolds 28'  40'Montano 89' | Stadium:Nippert Stadium Attendance: 20,497 Referee: Brandon Artis |
| June 25, 2016USL | Louisville City FC | 0–0 | FC Cincinnati | Louisville, KY |
| 7:30 PMEDT | Reynolds 45' | USL Report FCC Report LC Report | Delbridge 39' Polak 41'McMahon 61' | Stadium:Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 10,062 Referee: Brandon Artis |
| July 23, 2016USL | FC Cincinnati | 2–0 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, OH |
| 4:00 PMEDT | Wiedeman 39' Berry 45'Okoli 59'Bone 72' | USL Report FCC Report LC Report | Lubahn 13' Abend 30'Quinn 50' | Stadium:Nippert Stadium Attendance: 20,151 Referee:Alex Chilowicz |
| April 22, 2017USL | FC Cincinnati | 1–1 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, OH |
| 7:00 PMEDT | Mansaray 30' Berry 50'Walker 69'Quinn 78'Fall  86' | FCC Report LOU Report Box Score | Ownby 19' Totsch 20'DelPiccolo 83' | Stadium:Nippert Stadium Attendance: 20,437 Referee: Mark Kadlecik |
| May 31, 2017USOC | FC Cincinnati | 1–0 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, OH |
| 7:00 PMEDT | Delbridge 27' Djiby 38', 49'Polak 90' | CIN Report LOU Report Box Score | Smith 42' Abend 60'Craig 91' | Stadium:Nippert Stadium Attendance: 6,519 Referee: Brandon Artis Assistant referees: Maggie Short Assistant referees: James Duling Fourth official: James Ulrich |
Note: Media related toFC Cincinnati vs. Louisville City FC, 2017-05-31 at Wikimedia Commons | ||||
| July 15, 2017USL | Louisville City FC | 2–3 | FC Cincinnati | Louisville, KY |
| 7:30 PMEDT | Ilic 8' (pen.) Smith 27'Davis IV 36'DelPiccolo 78'Wiedeman 90+3' (o.g.) | CIN Report LOU Report | Djiby 16' Bone 52'Delbridge 55'König 77' | Stadium:Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 11,632 Referee: Marcos de Oliveira |
| August 12, 2017USL | Louisville City FC | 5–0 | FC Cincinnati | Louisville, KY |
| 7:30PM | USL Report | Stadium:Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 13,812 Referee: Charles Murphy |
| April 7, 2018USL | FC Cincinnati | 0–1 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, OH |
| 7:00PM ET | Emmanuel Ledesma 35' | Report | Cameron Lancaster 13', 47' Ilija Ilić 90+5' | Stadium:Nippert Stadium Attendance: 25,667 Referee: Joseph Dickerson Assistant referees: Cory Richardson Assistant referees: Jame Duling Fourth official: William Gaither III |
| Note: Media related toFC Cincinnati vs. Louisville City FC, 2018-04-07 at Wikimedia Commons | ||||
| May 26, 2018USL | FC Cincinnati | 0–2 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, OH |
| 7:30 EDT | Paddy Barrett 28' Richie Ryan 33'Dekel Keinan 81' | Report | Cameron Lancaster 15' Paco Craig 55'George Davis IV 73'Devon Williams 85' | Stadium:Nippert Stadium Attendance: 26,495 Referee: Ramy Touchan Assistant referees: Kyle Longville Assistant referees: Dan Stupca Fourth official: Adam Warner |
| September 11, 2018USL | Louisville City FC | 0–1 | FC Cincinnati | Louisville, KY |
| 7:00 EDT | DelPiccolo 90+3' | USL Report CIN Report | Bone 23' Richey 90+2' | Stadium:Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 10,009 Referee: Joshua Brooks |
| June 12, 2019USOC | FC Cincinnati | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, OH |
| 7:30 PMEDT | Report |
| Stadium:Nippert Stadium Attendance: 6,895 Referee: Ismir Pekmic |
| April 26, 2023USOC | FC Cincinnati | 1-0 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, OH |
| 7:00 PMEDT | Jimenez 40' Ordóñez 85' | Report | Stadium:TQL Stadium Attendance: 10,062 Referee: Calin Radosav |
| Position | Name | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Chandler Hoffman | Louisville City FC | 3 |
| 2 |  Baye Djiby Fall | FC Cincinnati | 2 |
 Cameron Lancaster | Louisville City FC | ||
| 4 |  Fanendo Adi | FC Cincinnati | 1 |
| Richard Ballard | Louisville City FC | ||
| Austin Berry | FC Cincinnati | ||
| Corben Bone | FC Cincinnati | ||
| George Davis IV | Louisville City FC | ||
 Harrison Delbridge | FC Cincinnati | ||
 Ilija Ilić | Louisville City FC | ||
 Mark-Anthony Kaye | Louisville City FC | ||
 Danni König | FC Cincinnati | ||
 Kekuta Manneh | FC Cincinnati | ||
 Niall McCabe | Louisville City FC | ||
| Pat McMahon | FC Cincinnati | ||
 Lucky Mkosana | Louisville City FC | ||
| Sean Okoli | FC Cincinnati | ||
| Arquimides Ordonez | FC Cincinnati | ||
| Brian Ownby | Louisville City FC | ||
| Aodhan Quinn | FC Cincinnati | ||
| Sean Reynolds | Louisville City FC | ||
| Luke Spencer | Louisville City FC | ||
| Andrew Wiedeman | FC Cincinnati |
| Player | Louisville City FC career | FC Cincinnati career | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Span | Apps | Goals | Span | Apps | Goals | |
| Aodhan Quinn | 2015–2016 | 57 | 5 | 2017 | 17 | 2 |
| Kadeem Dacres | 2015–2016 | 59 | 9 | 2017 | 21 | 0 |
| Luke Spencer | 2017–2020 | 93 | 29 | 2016 | 11 | 0 |
| Pat McMahon | 2018–2021 | 37 | 1 | 2016–2017 | 28 | 1 |
| Corben Bone | 2020–2022 | 65 | 8 | 2016–2019 | 108 | 16 |
| Jimmy McLaughlin | 2021 | 21 | 3 | 2016–2020 | 92 | 11 |
| Tyler Gibson | 2021–2023 | 71 | 0 | 2018 | 9 | 0 |
Media related toRiver Cities Cup at Wikimedia Commons
