New York City FC drop Game 1 to FC Cincinnati

Well, the MLS Cup Playoffs are here, and New York City FC did not start on the right foot, dropping Round One, Game 1 of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs away at FC Cincinnati 1-0. The host controlled the tempo of the match all night, but the Boys in Blue will feel hard done by the officiating in the second half.

Though NYCFC are coming off a 2-0 Decision Day loss to CF Montréal, there was some optimism building around Round One of the playoffs for New York City, given that FC Cincinnati were riding three losses over the last five matches. Even then, a trip to TQL Stadium was always going to be a difficult test, as Monday night proved.

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Offensive struggles return

Towards the end of the MLS regular season, New York City FC seemingly turned a new leaf and began scoring goals like they were going out of style. Following the thrilling 1-1 draw with Inter Miami in late September, NYCFC scored 11 goals in just three games. It seemed that the Boys in Blue had finally cracked the code — and unlocked Alonso Martínez along with the rest of the offense. But if the 2-0 loss on Decision Day vs CF Montreal was an alarm bell, then Monday night's performance was the panic button being pushed.

From the opening kickoff onward, FC Cincinnati controlled the tempo of the game. New York City struggled to create any threatening moves in transition, just continuously absorbing pressure from the hosts while struggling to properly clear the ball. On a few occasions Nick Cushing's side moved the ball into Cincinnati's defensive third, but the struggles in front of goal that plagued NYCFC for most of the season returned with a vengeance.

NYCFC struggled to complete little to none of their transitional attacks, with the Cincinnati defenders doing well to smother the likes of Santiago Rodríguez and Hannes Wolf, stifling the NYCFC's creative outlets. As a result, Martínez's involvement was nearly nonexistent, with the Costa Rican getting just 20 touches on the ball and recording only one shot.

Santi Rodriguez had a performance to forget Monday night as well, with FotMob giving the Uruguayan an abysmal 4.8 match rating. Despite being one of the most dangerous players on the pitch, Rodriguez created just one chance before Maxi Moralez's arrival as a second-half substitute, and was dispossessed in the moments immediately leading up to Yamil Asad's 51st-minute goal that decided the game.

According to FotMob, NYCFC's xG of 0.28 was based on just six shots taken vs FC Cincinnati. That's certainly not the start envisioned by Cushing & Co to open this best-of-three series.

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Hard done by the officials?

While Cincinnati controlled the flow for the majority of the match, there were times when New York City did look as if they were destined to score. One major moment came late in the second half, when the Boys in Blue thought they were on the receiving end of a penalty to tie the match. The referee, Sergii Boiko, had other ideas.

In the 82nd minute, Tayvon Gray played a delicious lobbed through ball in behind towards Alonso Martinez, who was making a run in behind. As he barrelled into the FC Cincinnati penalty area, the Costa Rican was seemingly brought down by Chidozie Awaziem. But rather than blowing his whistle and pointing to the penalty spot, Boiko signaled for offside after a VAR review.

This decision left the Boys in Blue in disbelief, and it's hard to blame them. Upon reviewing the replay, it looked as if there was a fair case to be made for a penalty. Yet, VAR did not intervene, with the only caution being issued to Maxi Moralez, receiving a yellow card for his demonstrations.

Fifteen minutes later, the decisions continued to go against New York City, with Tayvon Gray getting sent off controversially. In the 99th minute, which was the final seconds of stoppage time, Gray contested Luciano Acosta at nearly the halfway line, with the Jamaican swinging an arm out at the Argentine. Acosta then went tumbling to the ground clutching his face, sending the TQL Stadium crowd into an uproar. After consulting one of his assistant referees, Boiko issued Gray a straight red card for making contact with Acosta's face.

Replays show Gray making contact with Acosta's shoulder, who then catches his own face with his hand. Many expect NYCFC to appeal the decision, but if it stands, the Boys in Blue will be without one of their top defenders for the win-or-go-home matchup at Citi Field on Saturday. It's a significant blow for NYCFC.

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The season is on the line

With the new (to NYCFC) format for the MLS Cup Playoffs, the Boys in Blue are heading back to New York with the season on the line. Round One, Game 2 will be held this Saturday at 5 pm ET at Citi Field, and it will be a do-or-die matchup for NYCFC.

What could work in NYCFC's favor this weekend is the fact that Cushing's side sit #3 in the Eastern Conference for points at home this season, with 33 points across ten wins, three draws, and just four losses. Plus, the last time NYCFC hosted Cincinnati, the Boys in Blue came away as 3-2 victors at Red Bull Arena, snapping a streak of five-straight losses in all competitions.

For the fans, Queens will be an easier commute to the game than Harrison, NJ. The Mets' loss in the National League Championship Series paved the way for NYCFC to host its home playoff match at Citi rather than forcing supporters to make the trek out to Red Bull Arena. This should allow for a potent and high-energy atmosphere during Saturday night's contest, one that can hopefully mimic the intensity of what was on display at TQL Stadium.

The Boys in Blue will surely need it.