New York City FC pulled off the road upset and defeated FC Cincinnati in a lengthy, dramatic penalty kick shootout that followed a 0-0 draw through 90 regulation minutes.
This Round One best-of-three series of the MLS Cup Playoffs was decided on the 18th and final spot kick of the shootout, when Mitja Ilenič converted his penalty and delivered a New York City win after his teammates squandered three other chances to end things.
NYCFC wins this series with just one win earned in regulation, but now advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs to host the New York Red Bulls in what will be the first-ever postseason Hudson River Derby. Two heated rivals going at it with a place in the MLS Eastern Conference Final on the line: That will be fun.
• Alonso Martínez had a quiet match but also managed to put the ball into the back of the net in the 81st minute, only for the linesman's flag to go up for an offside that remained unchallenged and unchanged by the VAR.
•This was NYCFC's fourth penalty shootout of 2024, the previous three all coming during Leagues Cup (wins over Querétaro and New England, a loss to Columbus). Matt Freese made three saves in this shootout to ensure New York City walked out victorious.
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