FC Cincinnati Open Round One of MLS Cup Playoffs at Home Against NYCFC
Preview | FC Cincinnati Open Round One of MLS Cup Playoffs at Home Against NYCFC
FC Cincinnati will host New York City FC in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday, October 16th at TQL Stadium.
The match will be the first-ever playoff game in FC Cincinnati's history and the first MLS Cup Playoff game to be played in the state of Ohio.
FC Cincinnati finished the regular season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-14-8, while NYCFC finished second in the East with a record of 19-5-10.
The two teams met twice during the regular season, with NYCFC winning both matches. NYCFC won 2-0 at home on April 23rd and 3-1 at TQL Stadium on August 20th.
FC Cincinnati will be looking to make a statement in their first-ever playoff game, while NYCFC will be looking to continue their strong form and make a run to the MLS Cup.
Here are some of the key storylines to watch for in the match:
- Can FC Cincinnati pull off the upset? FC Cincinnati is a significant underdog in this match, but they will be playing at home in front of their fans. They will need to play their best game of the season to have a chance to win.
- How will NYCFC respond to the pressure? NYCFC is the favorite in this match, but they will be playing on the road in a hostile environment. They will need to be able to handle the pressure and play their own game.
- Who will be the key players in the match? There are a number of players who could make a difference in this match. For FC Cincinnati, Brandon Vazquez and Luciano Acosta will be key in attack, while Nick Hagglund and Matt Miazga will be important in defense. For NYCFC, Talles Magno and Heber will be key in attack, while Alexander Callens and Maxime Chanot will be important in defense.
