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    • FC Cincinnati defeats NYCFC in MLS Cup playoff opener
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    FC Cincinnati defeats NYCFC in MLS Cup playoff opener

    Umito Posted on

    First match against FC Cincinnati.

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

    The series continues Saturday with a NYCFC home game at the New York Mets’ Citi Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. A victory in regulation time or on penalties will allow FC Cincinnati to qualify for the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

    FC Cincinnati looked threatening on offense throughout Monday’s game, en route to ultimately beating NYCFC, 21-3. FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano stopped the only shot on target he faced from NYCFC, and the defense in front of him played as well as they have all season.

    “I’m really happy with the effort tonight in every way,” FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said afterward. “I thought the defensive pressure improved a lot from our last game against (NYCFC)… The center backs were outstanding, but I also think the guys in front of our back line did a really good job of putting pressure on the back, creating some very good looks, especially in the second half But the first 45 minutes it felt like a playoff game in that both teams defended well, were organized, were difficult to play against. and then, you know, we saw the moment in the second half and I think we managed the game well.

    “A step along the way, but we know it doesn’t get easier, so we have to be ready to turn this around, take the positives from it and be ready for an even better version of (NYCFC).”

    Asad’s goal was the result of a cross delivered to the goalmouth by Luciano Acosta as he earned his sixth career playoff contribution as a player for FC Cincinnati. Asad nodded Acosta’s aerial pass, sending the ball into the net to give Cincinnati the 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 playoffs.

    “It’s not an easy ending for a ball to drop like that,” Noonan said, “and be able to keep it under the bar. (Yamil) has 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, further goals would not have impacted the rest of the series, but could have helped close out Monday’s victory.

    Luca Orellano, who played as a forward for the second straight game and made five of FCC’s team-high 22 shots, fired a shot off the post in the 62nd minute. In the final seconds, Nicholas Gioacchini missed a breakaway chance in the 95th minute when he pushed his shot wide as NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese rushed off his line to apply pressure.

    Even without a second score on 22 shots, Cincinnati was still able to close out the victory. This was also made easier in the final moments when NYCFC received a straight red card.

    In second-half injury time, Tayvon Gray and Acosta both contested for the ball near midfield. At the end of the match, Acosta was holding his face to the ground and Gray was standing with the ball, but play was then whistled and Gray received a red card for serious foul play.

    A subsequent check by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) confirmed the red card. Gray will be suspended for the second game of the series.

    Planning for Gray’s absence will come later. If only for one night, FC Cincinnati intended to enjoy their victory, which was their first at TQL Stadium since August 31.

    “It was an incredible performance from the team and we are proud of what we achieved,” said Chidozie Awaziem. “I mean, it wasn’t easy. We expected this kind of game and, yeah, I’m happy we got our first win and thank you to the fans who came out to support us. We felt that energy and that kept us going.”

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    Welcome to Cincinnati.com’s live coverage of the Eastern Conference MLS Cup playoff series between No. 3 seed FC Cincinnati and No. 6 seed New York City FC. The first game is Monday at TQL Stadium and is broadcast nationally on FS1. Refresh this page throughout the match for live updates and analysis of the first match.

    Follow us for live updates and highlights:

    FC Cincinnati beats NYCFC, 1-0. The series will now move to the New York Mets’ Citi Field, where NYCFC will look to avoid elimination. FCC can finish the series with a victory and advance to the Easter Conference semifinals, which are scheduled to take place on November 23-24.

    After averaging more than 25,000 fans during the 17 regular season home games, 21,413 people turned out for the first game of the best-of-three series.

    Luca Orellano fired a shot off the base of NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese’s right post in the 62nd minute. Cincinnati threatens to put this game aside.

    FC Cincinnati is first in the standings in the best-of-three series in the 51st minute. Luciano Acosta sent a ball in front of the goal. Yamil Asad headed the ball, and Acosta had already provided all the power needed, and the headed chance hit the back of the net.

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

    No score yet in Cincinnati. If it stays that way in the second half, penalties will decide the winner of the first match.

    There is no score as halftime approaches in the 42nd minute but there are numbers that indicate which way the game is going. FC Cincinnati is generally the most active participant so far. The hosts outshoot NYCFC 8-2, have three corners to NYCFC’s one and have 53% possession.

    FC Cincinnati’s first shot was good in the 20th minute, although the score remained tied, 0-0. Yuya Kubo fired a left-footed shot that whistled past the post. The match lasted about 20 minutes, apart from this attempt by Kubo.

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

    Cincinnati native Bootsy Collins participated in FC Cincinnati’s pre-match sword-shooting ritual to fire up the crowd.

    Cincinnati.com’s prediction for Game 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs is a Cincinnati wins 3-1.

    FC Cincinnati hosts the first of three MLS Cup playoff series at TQL Stadium and is favored as the No. 3 seed. FC Cincinnati lost its opener to NYCFC earlier this season and lost in the Eastern Conference final 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 win 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 Bank: 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.

    Umito
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