New York City FC hosts FC Cincinnati Sunday at Citi Field. The Major League Soccer game is a rematch from the opening round of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs. NYCFC holds the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference, while FC Cincinnati leads the East standings.
New York City FC earned its first away victory of the season last weekend with a 1-0 win at Toronto. Coach Pascal Jansen guided the team to its second victory in the previous three league games. Three of NYCFC's four wins this season have come on its home ground.
New York City is unbeaten in its past five MLS encounters played in Queens, including the playoffs last year, winning four of those games. NYCFC has won its last two home matches against Cincinnati across all competitions, scoring three times in each match.
FC Cincinnati secured a 2-1 win versus Sporting Kansas City last weekend. Six of Cincinnati's seven regular-season wins this season have been by a single goal. Three of those close victories came away from home.
The Orange and Blue are on a five-game winning streak in MLS and have claimed points in their last six domestic affairs. Coach Pat Noonan's team is one point behind Vancouver in the Supporters' Shield race. They have yet to win a game against NYCFC at Citi Field.
NYCFC was missing players including Malachi Jones and Mitja Ilenic due to leg injuries last week. Jacob Arroyave was also sidelined. The club signed Australian midfielder Aiden O'Neill this week. Alonso Martinez converted a penalty against Toronto, and Matt Freese earned a clean sheet.
For FC Cincinnati, Yuya Kubo and Teenage Hadebe missed the last match with leg injuries and are questionable for Sunday. Luca Orellano replaced Sergio Santos in the starting lineup last weekend. Kevin Denkey scored two goals in the win, tying Evander for the team lead with six goals this season.
The Opta supercomputer suggests a draw is the most probable result. Cincinnati has won five consecutive regular-season games, each by one goal. NYCFC has won five of its previous six regular-season home matches.
The teams met six times last year across all competitions. FC Cincinnati won three times to NYCFC’s two, with one draw. NYCFC advanced in the first round of the playoffs after winning a shootout following a draw. Soccer fans are anticipating the FC Cincinnati vs New York City match on Sunday.
New York City FC Coach Pascal Jansen spoke about the upcoming schedule.
"It’s an exciting month ahead, and this is what you live for as a player – getting the chance to play as many games as possible," Jansen said, according to a preview of the match.
