Gordon “Fiddle” ThornsberryPhoto: Paige Deglow
Cincinnati is home to one of the most promising and accomplished players in Major League Soccer’s electronic division (aka their esports team). Gordon “Fiddle” Thornsberry represents FC Cincinnati on the pixelated soccer field as their premier eMLS signing, a role he adopted in 2019.
Thornsberry is magnificently good at FIFA video games, so much so that he’s won sizable cash prizes and international distinction for his lightning-fast thumb work. He’s triumphed in five North American championship tournaments since he began playing competitively and there seems to be no end in sight to what he’ll accomplish as a pro gamer.
“My first professional match was in July of 2018 in Miami, Florida. It was a tournament for all players in the U.S.A. and the winner of the tournament got a one-year contract with Paris Saint Germain’s (PSG) esports team. I managed to win the tournament, which was unreal to me because it was my first official tournament I’d ever been a part of,” Thornsberry says. “I got started in esports just by being a normal kid playing FIFA. I played it all the time growing up because soccer — or football, whichever you prefer — has been my favorite sport since the time I was walking. Once I started doing well, I entered some online tournaments against other good players and did well and it led to where I am today.”
Thornsberry plays under the handle “FiddleFCC” while representing…
