Preview: New York City FC vs. FC Cincinnati – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

They need a win and some help to keep the Supporters' Shield crown. FC Cincinnati Head to Harrison on Wednesday for a midweek game New York City F.C at the Red Bull Arena.

A emphatic 5-1 win over the Red Bulls over the weekend officially secured the Pigeons a place in the playoffs, while a 2-1 loss to Los Angeles FC leaves Cincy nine points behind Inter Miami and the best record in the MLS.

Game preview

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After weeks of disappointing results, the Boys in Blue finally showed the killer instinct they had been lacking for the past two months, ending a nine-game domestic winning streak on Saturday.

That means they're back in the postseason for the first time since 2022 and are just two points behind Orlando City for a top-four spot and home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.

With their victory on Saturday Nick Cushing's men surpassed their points tally from the previous domestic campaign (41).

Their next two domestic meetings will be at Red Bull Arena, with this team winning its last two regular season games in New Jersey by a combined margin of 8-1.

On Wednesday they have the opportunity to win consecutive games in the competition for the first time in over two months and also claim their ninth home win of the season, surpassing their mark from last year (eight).

NYCFC has not won a home game against the Orange and Blue since the 2021 season, when they beat them 5-0 at Yankee Stadium.

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It's hard to believe that Cincinnati had the best record in MLS just a few months ago, as they've suffered consistent setbacks of late.

Since a 6-1 win over Inter Miami gave them control of the Supporters' Shield standings in early July, this group quickly let that advantage slip away, winning just one of their last nine league games from that point on (4-1 against… ). CF Montreal).

Pat Noonan's men are currently going through a difficult period but can match their win total from a year ago if they win in each of their remaining three league competitions.

The Orange and Blue have only suffered one defeat in the competition this year when they opened the scoring, and have won their last 12 MLS games after the first win.

Cincinnati has 10 away wins in MLS this year, the league's top division, and has picked up at least a point in its last two home games away from TQL Stadium.

This group has won its last five competitive games against New York City and scored four goals in the final 11 minutes when they last met in the League Cup last summer (4-2 win).

New York City FC form in Major League Soccer:

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:

Team news

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In New York City's stunning win last weekend Malachi Jones However, he had to miss another duel due to a broken tibia Birk Risa came back from a leg kick and replaced him Maxi Moralez 11 minutes remaining.

Santiago Rodríguez And Strahinja Tanasijevic are eligible to return after sitting out each Saturday due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Alonso Martínez added two more goals last weekend, with Andres Perea And Tayvon Gray He judged the others, the first as a dove for Gray.

A sore hip, carried by Alec Can kept him out of the Cincinnati lineup against LAFC, with Nick Hagglund also had to take a break due to a leg injury.

Isaiah Foster is out for the season with a knee injury Matt Miazga will not be back in 2024 as he recovers from a serious leg problem.

Luca Orellano He scored in his third consecutive appearance, giving him 10 points for the season, and joined Luciano Acosta (12) and Yuya Kubo (10) is the only other player on the team to reach the double-digit goal mark in MLS this year.

Possible New York City FC starting lineup:
release; Gray, Martins, Risa, McFarlane; parks, sands; Wolf, Rodriguez, Moralez; Martínez

Possible FC Cincinnati starting lineup:
Celentano; Robinson, Hadebe, Murphy; Yedlin, Bucha, Nwobodo, Orellano; Acosta; Baird, Kubo

We say: New York City FC 3:1 FC Cincinnati

Injuries and inconsistency have taken a toll on Cincinnati, and we expect NYCFC to exploit their weaknesses and make another statement before the playoffs begin.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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