Five days after a resounding FC Cincinnati Game 1 victory in its best-of-three East quarterfinal matchup with New York City FC, the local lads submitted a futile showing in a farcical setting in a 3-1 Game 2 defeat Saturday evening. Despite playing with the same starting XI for the third successive match—this after entering the playoffs going 42 matches across all competitions without repeating the same starting XI—the Orange and Blue conceded a pair of soft first-half scores and never recovered. The winner-take-all Game 3 is Saturday at 4 p.m. at TQL Stadium.
First, let’s discuss the setting because nothing about FC Cincinnati’s performance merits above-the-fold coverage. NYCFC was forced to play what could be its lone postseason home tilt at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, because both the first (Yankee Stadium) and second (Red Bull Arena) options for “home” matches were in use or recently in use by their first-choice tenants.
Due to the cramped setup, the pitch appeared to be configured across Citi Field’s outfield—plus half of its infield—at the smallest allowable dimensions by MLS. And while the crowd did its best to supply some sort of atmosphere with the odd layout, goalkeeper Roman Celentano sounded like he was sitting on my couch with me while organizing FCC’s defense on set pieces during the first half.
Instances such as Saturday evening in Queens illustrate the double standard MLS presents to its teams with regard to stadium accommodations. FC Cincinnati would have risked falling down the expansion pecking order in 2018 had it not rushed to secure a new stadium agreement, an unspoken condition of the franchise’s admission to MLS. Meanwhile, NYCFC, which entered the league in 2015, was granted the better part of a decade to lock down a new stadium pact. (They’re reportedly building a new soccer-specific stadium across from Citi Field.)
But back to Game 2. The hosts’ first goal came off a transition sequence in which visitors failed to track back with enthusiasm, leading to a gimme goal for Alonso Martinez. FCC served up another score just before half when Miles Robinson’s attempted clearance went backwards, allowing a free header for Thiago Martins.
Another moment of Luca Orellano magic in the 65th minute crept the Garys to within one. That, coupled with the insertion of Sergio Santos and Kevin Kelsy at striker, supplied additional possession and territorial advantage as NYCFC retreated into a defensive shell. Golden opportunities in the penalty area to Teenage Hadebe and Alvas Powell (twice) could have very well led to equalizers.
Alas, the poor showing was exemplified by Chidozie Awaziem’s needless and sloppy penalty area takedown of Santi Rodriguez in stoppage time. The NYCFC talisman converted the ensuing penalty kick with ease. In the end, the hosts’ goal total reflected its expected tally (3.4), even though FC Cincinnati actually wound up with an edge in shots on target (6-5).
Should FC Cincinnati prevail in Game 3, the New York Red Bulls—not defending champion Columbus Crew—will be waiting. After sneaking out a 1-0 decision in Columbus, the Red Bulls overcame a stoppage time equalizer by the Crew to win in the seventh round of penalty kicks in Game 2. The upset is unquestionably the biggest in MLS’s expanded playoff format and one of the biggest in league history. FCC would be the home team in a potential East semifinal matchup with the Red Bulls.
Top-seeded Inter Miami also faces a Game 3 this weekend after conceding a stoppage time winner to host Atlanta over the weekend.
Grant Freking writes FC Cincinnati coverage for Cincinnati Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter at @GrantFreking.
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