FC Cincinnati beats NYCFC in MLS Cup Playoff Game 1

On By Littum

Game One for FC Cincinnati.

FC Cincinnati opened its 2024 MLS Cup playoffs on Monday with a 1-0 victory against New York City FC at TQL Stadium in front of a crowd of 21,413. Yamil Asad’s first-ever postseason goal in the 51st minute proved decisive as FCC won Game One of the best-of-three series.

The streak continues Saturday with a home game for NYCFC at the New York Mets’ Citi Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 17. A win in regulation or in a penalty shootout will see FC Cincinnati advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

FC Cincinnati threatened on offense throughout Monday’s game en route to eventually outshooting NYCFC 21-3. FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano saved the only shot on goal he faced from NYCFC, and the defense in front of him played as well as it had all season.

“Really happy with the effort tonight in every way,” FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said afterward. “I thought the defensive pressure was much improved from our last game against (NYCFC)… The center backs were excellent, but I also think the guys in front of our back line did a really good job of getting the pressure on the backs, created some really good looks, more so in the second half. But the first 45, it looked like a playoff game, as far as both teams defending well, being organized, being tough to play against, and then, you know, we saw moment in the second half and I thought we played a good game.

“A step on the road, but we know it’s not going to get any easier, so we have to be ready to turn it around and take the positives from this and be ready for an even better version of (NYCFC).”

Asad’s tally was the result of a cross feed that was whipped across the goalmouth by Luciano Acosta as he claimed his sixth career postseason assist as an FC Cincinnati player. Asad nodded in Acosta’s aerial pass, putting the ball into the net to give Cincinnati the eventual game-winning goal.

For Acosta, the assist made him the seventh active MLS player to record at least three career goals and assists in the league’s postseason.

“It’s not an easy finish for a ball to come across like that,” Noonan said, “and be able to keep it under the bar. (Yamil’s) got a feel for the game.”

Cincinnati missed opportunities later to ice the game. Without an aggregate score rule in effect for the current MLS Cup playoff format, additional goals would not have affected the rest of the series, but could have made it easier to close out Monday’s win.

Luca Orellano, playing as a forward for the second game in a row and taking a high five out of FCC’s 22 shots, hit a shot off the post in the 62nd minute. In the final seconds, Nicholas Gioacchini missed a breakaway opportunity in the 95th minute when he pushed his shot wide as NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese rushed off his line to apply pressure.

Even without another score on the 22 shots, Cincinnati was still able to close out the win. It was also made easier in the closing moments when NYCFC were assessed a straight red card.

In second half overtime, Tayvon Gray and Acosta both wrestled the ball near midfield. As the encounter ended, Acosta kept his face on the ground and Gray stood upright with the ball, but play was then whistled dead and Gray was shown a red card for serious foul play.

A subsequent video assistant referee (VAR) check confirmed the red card. Gray will be suspended for Game Two of the series.

Planning for Gray’s absence comes later. If it was just for one night, FC Cincinnati was determined to enjoy its victory, its first at TQL Stadium since August 31.

“It was a great performance from the team and we’re proud of what we put in out there,” Chidozie Awaziem said. “I mean, it wasn’t easy. We expected this kind of game and yes, I’m happy that we got our first win and thanks to the fans who came out to support us. We felt that the energy and we kept going.”

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Welcome to Cincinnati.com’s live coverage of the MLS Cup Eastern Conference playoff series between No. 3 seed FC Cincinnati and No. 6 seed New York City FC. Game One takes place Monday at TQL Stadium and will be televised nationally on FS1. Refresh this page throughout the match for live updates and analysis of Game One.

Stay tuned for live updates and highlights:

FC Cincinnati defeats NYCFC 1-0. The series will now shift to the New York Mets’ Citi Field, where NYCFC will look to avoid elimination. FCC can wrap up the series with a win and advance to the Easter Conference semifinals, scheduled for Nov. 23 and 24.

After averaging more than 25,000 fans over 17 regular-season home games, 21,413 came out for Game One of the best-of-three series.

Luca Orellano curled a shot from the bottom of NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese’s right cross in the 62nd minute. Cincinnati is threatening to put this game away.

FC Cincinnati is first on the board in the best-of-three series in the 51st minute. Luciano Acosta knocked a ball over the goal. Yamil Asad got his head to the ball and Acosta had already provided all the power needed and the main chance hit the net.

DeAndre Yedlin, one of FC Cincinnati’s leaders, grabbed him in the back in the first half. Now he is out of the game and Alvas Powell is on in his place.

No score so far in Cincinnati. If it stays that way in the second half, penalty kicks will decide the winner of Game One.

There are no scores as we approach the break in the 42nd minute, but there are numbers to indicate which way the game is flowing. FC Cincinnati is generally the more active participant so far. The hosts outshoot NYCFC, 8-2, have three corners to NYCFC’s one and have 53% of possession.

FC Cincinnati’s first shot of the game was a good one in the 20th minute, although the score is still tied, 0-0. Yuya Kubo hit a left footed shot that whistled past the post. The match has been straight through about 20 minutes apart from that try from Kubo.

The scene is set. A draw is not possible tonight. Either FC Cincinnati or NYCFC will take a 1-0 lead in this best-of-three series.

Cincinnati’s Bootsy Collins participated in FC Cincinnati’s pregame sword-drawing ritual to fire up the crowd.

Cincinnati.com’s prediction for the first leg of the MLS Cup Playoffs is a 3-1 Cincinnati win.

FC Cincinnati hosts the first of the best-of-three series in the MLS Cup Playoffs at TQL Stadium and is favored as the No. 3 seed. FC Cincinnati lost its first game to NYCFC earlier this season and lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to eventual MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew in last year’s playoffs.

FC Cincinnati is favored to win as a -115 favorite (bet $115 to win $100 with a total payout of $215).

  • FC Cincinnati starting lineup: Roman Celentano (GK), Chidozie Awaziem, Miles Robinson, Teenage Hadebe, DeAndre Yedlin, Obinna Nwobodo, Yuya Kubo, Luciano Acosta (captain), Pavel Bucha, Yamil Asad, Luca Orellano.
  • Cincinnati bench: Alvas Powell, Nicholas Gioacchini, Corey Baird, Bret Halsey, Sergio Santos, Kevin Kelsy, Gerardo Valenzuela, Ian Murphy, Evan Louro (GK).
  • NYCFC starting lineup: Matt Freese (GK), Birk Risa, Thiago Martins (captain), Kevin O’Toole, Tayvon Gray, James Sands, Andres Perea, Keaton Parks, Santiago Rodriguez, Alonso Martinez, Hannes Wolf.
  • NYCFC bench: Luis Barraza, Jovan Mijatovic, Monsef Bakrar, Julian Fernandez, Strahinja Tanasijevic, Agustin Ojeda, Maxi Moralez, Mitja Ilenic, Justin Haak.