FC Cincinnati have re-signed Gordon “Fiddle” Thornsberry ahead of the 2021 eMLS season. Thornsberry was crowned eMLS League Series One and League Series Two champion during the 2020 eMLS season and won the EA Sports FIFA 20 Summer Cup Series North America, earning him the title of the best FIFA player in North America.
“I am super grateful and excited to be back with the club for a third straight season,” Thornsberry said. “After a successful season last year, I’m motivated to get more trophies and continue to represent the club the best I can.”
Thornsberry will be representing the Orange and Blue for a third straight eMLS season. During the 2020 eMLS season, he won his first trophy for the Orange and Blue when he defeated New York Red Bulls’ George Adamou, 3-1, at the League Series One final in Philadelphia on Jan. 10. Thornsberry was then crowned back-to-back champion after he defeated Atlanta United FC’s Paulo Neto, 2-0, in the League Series Two final in Portland on Feb. 15. Originally meant to be hosted during SXSW in Austin, the eMLS cup was moved to a virtual event on June 28. Thorsnberry was knocked out of the tournament by the eventual champion, Red Bulls’ Adamou.
With the cancellation of the annual FIFA Global Series, Thornsberry competed in FIFA 20 Summer Cup Series for North America and was MLS’ sole representative. He defeated Max "MaXe vip" Popov, 5-3, in the final round and became the third eMLS player to win an international title. During his championship run, Thornsberry defeated both FIFA eClub World Cup champions, Joksan Redona and Popov.
Previously, Thornsberry represented Paris St. Germain on their esports platforms before signing with the Orange and Blue on a free transfer on Nov. 19, 2018. He finished one win shy of the Grand Final at the 2018 FIFA eWorld Cup, and was the second-highest finishing American in the entire 2018 FIFA Global Series and eWorld Cup tournament.
eMLS will expand to 27 teams for the 2021 season with the additions of Inter Miami CF and St. Louis City SC. Details on the 2021 eMLS season, including its start date, will be announced in the near future. Additionally, the North American qualifiers for the EA Sports FIFA 21 Global Series will begin in the upcoming month.
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
Information about seating options at the club’s state-of-the-art West End Stadium – which will open in Spring 2021 – is now available at westendstadium.com. For more information about 2021 season memberships, visit westendstadium.com or the stadium’s social properties on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at @WestEndStadium, or by calling the team’s sales and service staff at 513-977-5425.
