In a best-of-three series, FC Cincinnati secured a thrilling penalty shootout victory over the New York Red Bulls to advance to the next round of playoffs. The series ended 2-0 in favor of Cincinnati after an 8-7 victory in the penalty shootout. The league was hoping for dramatic games in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, and FC Cincinnati delivered. Luciano Acosta scored the equalizer for Cincinnati before the penalty shootout.
The New York Red Bulls had multiple chances to end the game, with Carlos Cornel saving two penalty kicks and John Tolkin hitting the post. However, an 18-year-old Serge Ngoma missed his penalty take. The drama continued when former Red Bull defender Matt Miazga scored his penalty kick and received a yellow card, leading to his suspension for Cincinnati’s next match.
Cincinnati will now play their remaining playoff games at home. In previous seasons, they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play at Red Bull Arena due to the single-game format. The change to a multi-game series adds tension and excitement to the playoffs.
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The Supporters’ Shield winners, FC Cincinnati, will now face the winner of the Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution series. However, they will have some concerns going into the next round. Matt Miazga’s suspension and the injury to defensive midfielder Obinna Nwobodo could affect their performance. Ending the series early is an advantage for Cincinnati in this context.
The conference semifinals won’t begin until November 25th, giving FC Cincinnati almost three weeks to rest. Coach Pat Noonan will need to ensure that his team remains fresh during this lengthy break between matches. However, with MVP favorite Luciano Acosta in the lineup, FC Cincinnati will be prepared for any challenges they may face.
