Match Recap

FC Cincinnati Goals:

New York City FC Goals:

Quick Read

New York City FC faced off against FC Cincinnati on Saturday in a decisive do-or-die Game 3 showdown. Both teams battled through a tense and tight first half, with neither able to claim a goal. That carried through into the second period, with the game finishing goalless. That forced the series to be decided by penalties. The fine margins continued into penalties with both sides missing one of their first five spot kicks. After eight penalties each, the score was tied at 5-5. A brilliant save by Matt Freese from Teenage Hadebe presented Mitja Ilenič the chance to win it. His successful penalty saw City win the series and set up a Conference Semifinal against the Red Bulls.

A place in the next round of the Audi MLS Playoffs was at stake on Saturday afternoon as New York City FC took on FC Cincinnati.

A victory for City last Saturday in Queens forced a Game 3 at TQL Stadium, with both teams eager to continue their postseason journey.

Head Coach Nick Cushing fielded the same lineup that overcame Cincinnati 3-1 at Citi Field a week prior.

A fast start to the game saw both teams fly out of the blocks in search of the first goal. In the 11th minute, DeAndre Yedlin got off a shot that whizzed across the box and just past Matt Freese’s post.

City responded soon after via a set-piece opportunity. Keaton Parks got his head to a near post corner but could not find the target.

Cincinnati’s best chance of the half came in the 31st minute after a loose ball fell to Luca Orellano 12 yards out. His close-range shot seemed destined for the bottom corner until Freese pulled off a remarkable save to deny him.

The hosts were ramping up the pressure in search of a breakthrough, but in their way stood a dogged and resolute City side.

The half finished with a flurry of action at both ends. Kevin O’Toole nearly put City ahead with a volley from a corner, and moments later, Orellano raced downfield, flashing a shot just wide of the post.

The start of the second half saw both sides struggle to generate a settled rhythm in possession.

Chances were few and far between as the game ticked past the 65-minute mark. City’s made their first substitution ten minutes later, with Andrés Perea replacing Hannes Wolf on the wing.

City thought they had claimed a lead in the 81st minute after a lightning-quick breakaway instigated by Maxi Moralez. Eventually finished by Alonso Martínez, his joy was short-lived as the goal was ruled out for offside.

That would be Martínez’s last involvement as he was replaced by Mounsef Bakrar in the 85th minute. City almost snatched victory deep into stoppage time after some neat combination play between O'Toole, Bakrar, and Parks allowed the latter to fire off a shot that Roman Celentano claimed.

With neither side finding a goal, the game was decided by a penalty shootout. Both sides missed one of their first five spot kicks. After eight penalties each, the score was tied at 5-5.

Stepping up to take Cincinnati's ninth kick was Teenage Hadebe. The defender saw his penalty saved brilliantly by Matt Freese, and that handed Mitja Ilenič the chance to win it.

His confident spot-kick sealed victory for City, setting up a Conference Semifinal clash with the Red Bulls.