Major League Soccer Gameweek 20
FC Cincinnati 2 - 1 FT New York City FC
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
11' K. Mboma (K. Denkey)
Luighi (A. Ojeda) 21'
33' M. Miazga
K. Parks 36'
HT
50' O. Nwobodo
Luighi 55'
60' โ M. Miazga โT. Hadebe
60' โ E. Echenique โB. J. Ramirez Leon
โ B. Traore โM. Jones 64'
โ Luighi โS. Reid 64'
72' โ K. Denkey โT. Barlow
72' โ O. Nwobodo โS. Gidi
N. Mercau 74'
โ K. Parks โJ. Shore 75'
โ K. O'Toole โN. Cavallo 75'
โ A. Ojeda โTalles Magno 81'
82' S. Gidi
83' โ K. Smith โT. Anunga
90'+1 Evander (G. Valenzuela)
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
FC Cincinnati
Goalkeepers
Roman Celentano 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Miles Robinson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matt Miazga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Kyle Smith 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Pavel Bucha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kenji Mboma Dem 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.6
Rating
Obinna Nwobodo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
72
Total Mins
72
Entry
Gerardo Valenzuela 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Ender Echenique
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Forwards
Kรฉvin Denkey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
72
Total Mins
72
Entry
Evander 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.7
Rating
BENCH
Evan Louro 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Nick Hagglund
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Teenage Hadebe
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Alvas Powell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bryan Ramรญrez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Samuel Gidi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
4
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Brian Anunga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tom Barlow
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
4
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayoub Jabbari
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
New York City FC
Goalkeepers
Matthew Freese
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Tayvon Gray 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
80%
Duel Win %
James Sands
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Raul Gustavo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kevin O'Toole
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Midfielders
Keaton Parks
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Andrรฉs Perea
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Axel Ojeda 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7
Rating
Nicolรกs Fernรกndez Mercau 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
27%
Pass Acc
Bรฉnie Traorรฉ
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Forwards
Luighi
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
9%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Tomรกs Romero
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Maxwell Murray
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nico Cavallo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mitja Ilenic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jonathan Shore
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kevin Pierre
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Seymour Garfield-Reid
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Malachi Jones
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Talles Magno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/22/2026 | New York City FC | 4 - 4 | FC Cincinnati | Major League Soccer | Yankee Stadium |
| 08/23/2025 | FC Cincinnati | 0 - 1 | New York City FC | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 05/04/2025 | New York City FC | 1 - 0 | FC Cincinnati | Major League Soccer | Citi Field |
| 11/09/2024 | FC Cincinnati | 0 - 0 (PEN 5-6) | New York City FC | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 11/02/2024 | New York City FC | 3 - 1 | FC Cincinnati | Major League Soccer | Citi Field |
| 10/28/2024 | FC Cincinnati | 1 - 0 | New York City FC | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 10/02/2024 | New York City FC | 3 - 2 | FC Cincinnati | Major League Soccer | Red Bull Arena |
| 08/06/2024 | FC Cincinnati | 4 - 2 | New York City FC | Leagues Cup | TQL Stadium |
| 03/23/2024 | FC Cincinnati | 1 - 0 | New York City FC | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 08/26/2023 | FC Cincinnati | 3 - 0 | New York City FC | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
04/22/2026
08/23/2025
05/04/2025
11/09/2024
11/02/2024
10/28/2024
10/02/2024
08/06/2024
03/23/2024
08/26/2023
FC Cincinnati Win
New York City FC Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 17 GD: +22
P: 17 GD: +10
P: 15 GD: +8
P: 16 GD: +6
P: 17 GD: +5
P: 16 GD: 0
P: 16 GD: -1
P: 18 GD: -11
P: 16 GD: +5
P: 18 GD: -5
P: 17 GD: -15
P: 18 GD: -7
P: 15 GD: -4
P: 16 GD: -4
P: 16 GD: -9
League Standings
P: 25 GD: +29
P: 25 GD: +15
P: 25 GD: +10
P: 25 GD: +9
P: 24 GD: +10
P: 25 GD: -12
P: 25 GD: +7
P: 26 GD: -14
P: 26 GD: +5
P: 24 GD: -7
P: 24 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -8
P: 25 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -14
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
FC Cincinnati
New York City FC
FC Cincinnati
New York City FC
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Late Evander Heroics Ignite TQL Stadium
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 64/100. Evanderโs dramatic stoppage-time winner transformed a tense stalemate into a cinematic triumph for Cincinnati, elevating them in the tightly packed playoff chase.
Early Fireworks Set the Tone
The action exploded immediately under the lights at TQL Stadium, delivering an exceptional level of Balance as both sides traded early haymakers in a gripping opening sequence. FC Cincinnati struck first blood in the 11th minute when K. Mboma slotted home a sharp, incisive feed from K. Denkey. The home crowd, electric and roaring from the kickoff, barely had time to settle before New York City FC hit back with a vengeance. Just ten minutes later, Luighi silenced the terraces, finishing a sweeping transition move masterfully orchestrated by A. Ojeda. Despite Cincinnati controlling possession at a steady 57% and dictating the tempo from midfield, the visiting New York outfit consistently looked dangerous on the quick break. This initial, frenetic flurry of goals set a breathless rhythm that thoroughly defined the rest of the evening's contest.
Goalkeeping Brilliance Under Pressure
After the chaotic start, the match evolved into a gritty, uncompromising tactical duel defined by remarkable Intensity in the final third of the pitch. A relentless barrage of 24 combined shots turned the penalty areas into an absolute shooting gallery, keeping both defensive units firmly on the back foot. Goalkeeper heroics rapidly became the main storyline through the arduous middle periods, with eight crucial saves split evenly between the two athletic shot-stoppers. Interestingly, New York City actually edged the underlying attacking metrics, generating 1.41 expected goals compared to Cincinnati's 1.04, repeatedly finding dangerous pockets of space inside the box. However, they sorely lacked the clinical, finishing edge required to pull ahead when it mattered most, ultimately leaving the door slightly ajar for a dramatic late twist in this compelling script.
A Cinematic Conclusion
As the clock ticked down toward a seemingly inevitable and frustrating draw, the competitive Stakes skyrocketed under the stadium lights. With both ambitious clubs separated by a mere two points in the regular season standings, a single moment of magic was destined to fundamentally reshape their current playoff positioning. Up stepped Evander. In the 90th minute, the standout attacking maestro latched onto a precise, defense-splitting pass from G. Valenzuela and ruthlessly buried the game-winning goal, sending TQL Stadium into a state of absolute, unbridled delirium. This crucial 2-1 victory propels Cincinnati up to 23 vital points, firmly solidifying their solid sixth-place standing while keeping New York City frustratingly stuck in ninth. It was a masterclass in late-game persistence, proving definitively that relentless pressure can ultimately shatter even the most stubborn defensive resistance.
Key Questions
How dramatic was the late winner by Evander?
Evander's 90th-minute strike was pure cinema, breaking a deadlocked game just as stoppage time loomed, securing three crucial points for Cincinnati in thrilling fashion.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Deadlock in Ohio: A Definitive Six-Pointer
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 50/100. Tied on 26 points apiece, this is a quintessential six-pointer where both sides desperately need a win to separate from the Eastern Conference pack.
The Setup
The August 19, 2026 clash at TQL Stadium sees two evenly matched sides collide in a vital regular season fixture. FC Cincinnati sits sixth, trailing New York City FC only on goal difference. The hosts bring an electric but chaotic brand of football, boasting an impressive Form rating fueled by a staggering 45 goals scored, yet severely hampered by 44 conceded. NYCFC arrive with a more grounded defensive approach, but with matching points and the Stakes running incredibly high in the playoff race, the pressure is firmly on. The raw Balance between these two squads suggests a tense mid-table battle, but Cincinnatiโs sheer attacking output ensures that goals are practically guaranteed.
Key Battle
The midfield engine room will decide this contest. Evander is pulling the strings for Cincinnati, lighting up the Stars metric with world-class playmaking and relentless offensive output. He faces a direct threat from NYCFC's Nicolรกs Fernรกndez, whose recent goal-scoring tear makes this a heavyweight collision of in-form talent. If Evander is allowed the time and space to dictate the tempo, the home side will overwhelm the New York backline.
Our Prediction
Expect a chaotic shootout. Cincinnati's defensive frailties invite pressure and will give the visitors plenty of chances, but their overwhelming firepowerโcombined with home advantageโgives them the edge. We back the hosts to grind out a high-scoring thriller, snatching all three points to leapfrog New York in the standings.