FC Cincinnati fell to New York City FC, 3-1, in Game 2 of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 series. With each team earning a win through the opening two matches of the series, a winner-take-all Game 3 returns to TQL Stadium next Saturday, November 9 at 4 p.m. ET.
Tickets for Game 3 are available now at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets or by calling (KICK).
New York City FC jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead with goals from Alonso MartÃnez in the 22nd minute and Thiago Martins in the 40th.
Luca Orellano pulled one back for the Orange and Blue in the 65th minute of play with a signature left-footed strike from the young Argentine. Orellano’s goal came on one of six shots on target for FC Cincinnati which led both sides on the night.
Santiago RodrÃguez scored for the hosts from the penalty spot seven minutes into second-half stoppage time to give NYC a 3-1 lead and send the series to a decisive Game 3.
AS IT HAPPENED
NYC: Alonso MartÃnez, GOAL – 22’ (1-0) – A patient build out of the back for New York City advanced down the right wing and ended with Alonso MartÃnez playing a first-time ball into the box towards Maxi Moralez. But it was Mitja Ilenic who was first to the ball and returned play to MartÃnez who finished in the middle of the box.
NYC: Thiago Martins, GOAL – 40’ (2-0) – Thiago Martins headed home from a free kick situation to double the New York City lead. Cincinnati was unable to deal with the first ball into the box as the following clearance found the head of Martins open on the back post.
CIN: Luca Orellano, GOAL – 65’ (2-1) – Luciano Acosta whipped in a pass towards the substitute Sergio Santos who backheeled a pass to a trailing Luca Orellano. Orellano maintained possession despite an NYC defensive challenge and set up the ball on his favorite left foot to fire home his first playoff goal.
NYC: Santiago RodrÃguez, PK GOAL – 90’+7 (3-1) – Santiago RodrÃguez converted from the spot to give the match its final scoreline.
Game 3 between FC Cincinnati and NYCFC will take place at TQL Stadium on Saturday, November 9. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET and tickets are available now at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets or by calling (KICK).
GAME NOTES
- Saturday marked the fifth meeting of 2024 between FC Cincinnati and NYCFC, tied for the most matches against a single opponent in club history (New York Red Bulls, 2023). Game 3 will mark the sixth meeting between the sides, a new club record.
- With Luca Orellano netting his first career MLS Cup Playoff goal, he became the sixth player in club history to score in the postseason.
- Sergio Santos recorded his second postseason assist with FC Cincinnati, his first since the first playoff match in club history in the 2022 Round One win over the New York Red Bulls and his game-winning assist.
- Luciano Acosta leads all FC Cincinnati players with four postseason assists for the club.
- Luciano Acosta made his 150th appearance for FC Cincinnati, becoming the second player in club history to reach the milestone (Yuya Kubo).
FC CINCINNATI GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati at New York City FC
Date: November 2, 2024
Competition: Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs – Round One, Game 2
Venue: Citi Field
Kickoff: 5:10 p.m. ET
Weather: 60 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-FT
NYC: 2-1-3
CIN: 0-1-1
NYC – Alonso MartÃnez (Ilenic) 22’, Thiago Martins 40’, Santiago RodrÃguez (PK) 90’+7
CIN – Luca Orellano (Santos, Acosta) 65’
LINEUPS
CIN: Roman Celentano, Yamil Asad (Sergio Santos 57’), Teenage Hadebe, Miles Robinson, Chidozie Awaziem, DeAndre Yedlin (Alvas Powell 76’), Obinna Nwobodo, Pavel Bucha (Kevin Kelsy 76’), Luciano Acosta (C), Luca Orellano, Yuya Kubo
Substitutes not used: Evan Louro, Niko Gioacchini, Corey Baird, Bret Halsey, Gerardo Valenzuela, Ian Murphy
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
NYC: Matt Freese, Thiago Martins (C), Kevin O’Toole, Mitja Ilenic, Justin Haak, James Sands, Maxi Moralez (Andres Perea 71’), Keaton Parks, Santiago RodrÃguez, Alonso MartÃnez (Mosef Bakrar 88’), Hannes Wolf (Strahinja Tanasijevic 90’+1)
Substitutes not used: Luis Barranza, Birk Risa, Jovan Mijatović, Julián Fernández, Christian McFarlane, Agustin Ojeda
Head Coach: Nick Cushing
STATS SUMMARY: NYC/CIN
Shots: 14 / 11
Shots on Goal: 5 / 6
Saves: 4 / 1
Corner Kicks: 4 / 2
Fouls: 15 / 21
Offside: 5 / 3
Possession: 54.2 / 45.8
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
PHI – Tai Baribo (Yellow Card) 38’
OFFICIALS 
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Ast. Referees: Jeffrey Greeson, Jeffrey Swartzel
Fourth Official: Marcos DeOliveira
VAR: Carol Anne Chenard
AVAR: Joshua Patlak
