Once FC Cincinnati’s season ends, digital ink will be spilled detailing how the front office acquired the wrong players, how the coaching staff failed to solve season-long issues on defense, and how the team often looked like a collection of 11 individuals rather than a single, cohesive unit. But these thoughts will be put on hold for at least two weeks.
By virtue of its 1-0 win over Philadelphia on Saturday, which followed a 2-2 draw in Miami, FCC qualified for the MLS playoffs for the fifth straight season. The Philly victory was secured through a grit-first, defense-second display characteristic of past Orange and Blue sides that were often short on technique but long on toughness. The former kings of the 1-0 win earned their first such decision all season, and the result came against what’s been the best team in MLS since the World Cup break concluded.
Playing for the seventh time in 22 days (!), the locals bypassed squad attrition and fatigue to become just the second MLS side since late May to hold the Union scoreless. Highest of marks are reserved for goalkeeper Roman Celentano, whose six saves fended off a one-sided Philly attack in the first half—including his point-blank stop off a corner kick—and central defender Teenage Hadebe. Out of the starting XI for much of 2026, Hadebe started every October match and elevated himself to resemble the form that once made him a Designated Player during his days in Houston.
Here are the Eastern Conference standings heading into Sunday’s Decision Day, where every match involving East teams kicks off at 4 p.m. Eastern. All nine teams have clinched playoff berths.
- Nashville, 74 points
- Inter Miami, 59
- New England, 58
- Chicago, 55
- Charlotte, 53
- Philadelphia, 47
- FC Cincinnati, 46
- Columbus, 44
- Orlando, 43
FC Cincinnati is currently slated for a best-of-three first-round matchup against Lionel Messi and Miami, which is not exactly the most appetizing matchup for a number of reasons. To be fair, all three potential playoff opponents are unappealing—FCC is winless in five regular-season tilts this season vs. the current top three seeds.
Going up against Messi is self-explanatory. New England has outscored FCC 9-4 in two victories. And Nashville is one point away from the single-season MLS points record entering its Sunday matchup at TQL Stadium and mauled visiting Cincinnati 4-0 in late August.
Dropping to the No. 8/No.9 winner-take-all Wild Card match is the worst-case scenario, though. A loss in that match would send Cincinnati home, but even if it prevails FCC earns the right to play at least one match at Nashville’s Geodis Park, where the home team has 15 wins and two draws in 17 league contests this season. Owners of 22 league road conquests in 2024 and 2025, Cincinnati has lost their road mojo in 2026 with just three wins in 17 away games.
Pat Noonan could have more bodies at his disposal as soon as this weekend, but more likely for the playoffs. Miles Robinson (leg) hasn’t played since October 10 but could suit up Saturday. All three of the August transfers—wingbacks Tyrell Malacia and David Doudera and central defender Julian Malatini—were unavailable against Philadelphia. Evander (illness) sat the first half vs. Philly, and Ender Echenique was listed as questionable but came on in the second half.
Saturday’s victory upped the Orange and Blue’s unbeaten run to four matches and 10 points out of 12 gained since the big players-only meeting. Yes, silverware was the aim in 2026, and no amount of late-season magic can rectify that. But this modest uptick in form has at least given the locals a chance against Nashville, Miami, or New England—a much better one than they would have had a month ago.
Grant Freking is in his eighth year of FC Cincinnati coverage for Cincinnati Magazine.
