FC Cincinnati Aims for MLS Cup Glory as They Face New York City FC in Playoffs

FC Cincinnati is gearing up for a crucial matchup against New York City FC in the opening round of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. The match, scheduled for Monday, October 28, at 6:45 PM ET, will be held at TQL Stadium and marks the first playoff encounter between the two teams this season. FC Cincinnati, the Eastern Conference‘s No. 3 seed, is coming off a remarkable season after winning the 2023 Supporters’ Shield and is now eyeing their first-ever MLS Cup title.

Under the leadership of head coach Pat Noonan, FC Cincinnati has transformed from a team that earned three consecutive Wooden Spoons from 2019 to 2021 to a consistent playoff contender. Noonan emphasized the importance of attention to detail and avoiding mistakes, particularly in high-pressure playoff games. “So many little things become so much more important at this stage that you have to get right,” Noonan said.

The team’s success this season has been significantly bolstered by the performance of midfielder Luciano Acosta, the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP. Acosta has contributed 14 goals and 19 assists, making him a key factor in FC Cincinnati’s playoff run. Despite dealing with injuries throughout the campaign, Acosta is now fit and fully engaged, which is a positive sign for the team.

New York City FC, the Eastern Conference’s No. 6 seed, is no pushover. The teams have split their regular-season series, with FC Cincinnati winning 1-0 in late March and NYCFC winning 3-2 in early October. NYCFC tends to excel when scoring two goals, boasting a record of 7 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws in such scenarios. Key players to watch for NYCFC include Adrian Alonso Martinez Batista and Santiago Rodriguez.

The match will be available to stream through the MLS Season Pass, with FC Cincinnati favored at -111 odds and NYCFC at +261 odds. The game promises to be intense, with both teams looking to capitalize on their strengths and overcome recent injuries to key players.