By Ryan Ernst
Enquirer staff writer

Cincinnati's newest professional franchise met its fan base Monday at Tri-County Sportsplex.

The Cincinnati Excite kicked, and the kids kicked back. The Excite took to the field for an exhibition and the kids followed. It's that player-fan interaction on which owner Dave Galus is counting for his team to thrive in the rebuilt American Indoor Soccer League.

It's also a bond that already exists, coach Terry Nicholl said.

"Just about every single player on our roster is active in coaching," he said. "We're doing it a different way. We're going to be involved in the community, not pretend."

Four members of the team are coaching at the high school level in the area, including Nicholl, who is the head coach at Seven Hills. Another five coach at the club level.

"That's the niche we want to have in this market," Galus said. "Cincinnati is a hotbed for talent and for coaches. We have to be at the very roots of that."

The Excite are the area's eighth professional soccer franchise. Although no previous team has lasted more than five years, Galus and Nicholl point to the team's smaller facility, Tri-County Sportsplex, as something that sets apart the Excite.

"There was a bit of an atmosphere in here today for our scrimmage," said Nicholl, an Englishman who played for Sheffield United in the English Premiere League and was a two-time coach of the year in the Major Indoor Soccer League. "If you put 1,000 people in here it will be like a Rolling Stones concert. It will rock."

Cincinnati's most recently failed soccer team, the Riverhawks, continually struggled to secure a home field. The Riverhawks were an outdoor team. But several failed indoor teams played at what is now U.S. Bank Arena.

"We don't want to play at U.S. Bank Arena," Galus said. "Even if you draw 1,000 people there the place seems empty."

Nine former Riverhawk players are on the Excite's 24-man roster. Nicholl said the roster will be cut to 18 before the season begins in December.

Galus said the AISL schedule should be finalized in the next two weeks, then tickets will to on sale. Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for children under 10. Season packages are also available. Tickets will go on sale Aug. 1 and can be purchased at www.ticketweb.com.

SOCCER UPDATE: A weekly look at Cincinnati's minor-league soccer teams

Weekend Review: The Ladyhawks played two road games this weekend, beating West Michigan 1-0 before losing to Ft. Wayne 3-1. Andrea Cunningham scored an unassisted goal in the 18th minute to give Cincinnati the lead against West Michigan. Goalkeeper Leah Miller finished with five saves to record her first shutout of the season.

In the second game of the road trip, Fort Wayne opened the scoring when forward Meotiss Erikson beat Miller in the 29th minute of play. One minute later, Jennie Moppart pounced on a deflected shot to make it 2-0. Following a 30-minute delay for lightning, Danielle Berkemeier brought the Ladyhawks back to within one with an assist from Andrea Cunningham in the 85th minute. But Ft. Wayne put the game away when Amy Warner scored in the 88th minute. The Ladyhawks are 2-9.

Key Players: Berkemeier scored her first goal of the season, ending a frustrating scoring drought for the former Mid-American Conference player of the year out of Miami.

Preview: The Ladyhawks play the St. Louis Archers at 7 p.m. Saturday night at Lakota West.