FC Cincinnati and NYCFC Set to Deliver an Explosive Showdown and Dramatic Finale in the MLS Playoffs

Playoffs, the time when everything built over the season gets thrown into the fire. It’s all or nothing. For FC Cincinnati and New York City FC, this first round of the 2024 Audi MLS Cup is more than just another matchup. On one side, you’ve got FC Cincinnati, third place in the Eastern Conference, coming in with a strong season yet weighed down by injuries. Across from them is NYCFC, sitting at sixth, a team brimming with talent yet plagued by inconsistency. And let’s not kid ourselves, there’s no clear favorite here.

The stage is set at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, and the atmosphere is already heating up. In a match that could even drag into penalty shootouts if it ends in a tie, this is about as straightforward as it gets, no room for calculations or theories here. Whoever wins won’t have long to celebrate either; up next, they’ll face the victor between Columbus Crew and the New York Red Bulls. The showdown starts Monday, October 28, at 6:45 PM.

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For FC Cincinnati, which wrapped up the season with one of the Eastern Conference’s best records, 2024 has been a mix of joy and frustration. After nearly snatching the MLS Cup title in 2023, they were ultimately outplayed by Columbus Crew in the final moments. Now, in 2024, they’re once again under pressure to prove their worth, only this time, the stakes are even higher. Luciano Acosta, the team’s superstar and MLS MVP, has been pure magic on the field. He’s not just a player; he’s the kind of guy who turns the game into poetry. With 14 goals and 19 assists, Acosta has become one of Cincinnati’s biggest hopes, leading the charge for both revenge and redemption. Standing beside him is Luca Orellano, a breakout star from Brazil’s Vasco, who’s silenced critics by racking up 10 goals and 7 assists, proving Brazil has gifted the MLS another gem. But Cincinnati’s Achilles heel isn’t up front, it’s at the back.

Injuries have haunted Cincinnati’s defense like unwelcome ghosts. Matt Miazga and Nick Hagglund, the backbone of the defense, are out of action. So who’s left to handle the heat? Miles Robinson, the USMNT veteran, has stepped up, but can he carry that burden on his own?

On the flip side, NYCFC shows up with a roster packed with stars and a completely different storyline. Talent is not the issue for this squad, but if there’s one word to sum up their season, it’s “inconsistency.” With highs and lows all year, head coach Nick Cushing is still searching for the winning formula. And if you think Cincinnati has the edge, think again. NYCFC boasts a solid core with Maxi Moralez, Tayvon Gray, James Sands, and Santiago Rodríguez, veterans who won the MLS Cup in 2021. This team knows how to win when the stakes are high; that’s something you can’t just teach. And let’s not forget they’ve got a rising star in Alonso Martínez, a Costa Rican striker who wrapped up the season with an impressive 16 goals and 3 assists.

And here’s the kicker: just last month, NYCFC pulled off a thrilling 3-2 win over Cincinnati. That’s got Cincy fans a bit uneasy. There are no easy games here. Cincinnati has its strengths but also its weak spots, and NYCFC has shown they know just how to exploit those.

Now, let’s think about what this matchup really means. We’re not just talking about a ticket to the next round; this is a clash between two philosophies, two playing styles, and two journeys. Cincinnati is hunting for redemption after coming so close to the title in 2023, with a squad hungry to prove themselves, while NYCFC wants to shake off their inconsistent label and prove that when it counts, they can deliver as a team that knows how to win.