New York City FC win in Queens, force Game 3 vs FC Cincinnati

New York City FC defeated FC Cincinnati 3-1 at Citi Field in Queens to win Game 2 of Round One in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs and force a decisive Game 3 to be played on Saturday, November 9. NYCFC looked nothing like the team that lost Game 1 on Monday, when they managed an anemic 0.4 xG in one of the worst attacking performances of the year. This version of New York City troubled the Cincinnati defense all night, and could have scored again had Hannes Wolf been more decisive in front of goal.

And yet the final scoreline flattered NYCFC. While New York City dominated the first half, Cincinnati dominated the second, and goalkeeper Matt Freese's six saves were essential to NYCFC's win. A stoppage-time penalty for New York City sealed the victory, but it could have easily finished 2-2 and gone to penalties.

But a win is a win, and New York City now need to figure out how to come away with a positive result next weekend at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, a venue where they lost three times this year. It's a problem that New York City Head Coach Nick Cushing will be happy to puzzle out this week — it's better to face steep odds than to pack up your desks and lockers for the season.

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NYCFC emerged victorious from their must-win playoff game vs. FC Cincinnati at Citi Field behind goals from Alonso Martínez, Thiago Martins, and Santiago Rodríguez.

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A tale of two halves

Cincinnati's Starting XI was a carbon copy of the squad that took the field Monday in Game 1, and that outplayed NYCFC from the opening whistle. It was New York City that made adjustments for Game 2: Cushing started a healthy Maxi Moralez as the No 10, moving Santiago Rodríguez to the left wing. Changes were made to defensive line as well. Mitja Ilenič was on the right for the suspended Tayvon Gray, and Justin Haak started at center-back for Birk Risa.

The effect was immediate. The New York City attack started asking questions from the opening minute, creating chaos in front of the Cincinnati goal. And the defense shut down a Cincinnati forward line that couldn't connect with Luciano Acosta in the midfield.

New York City opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, when Ilenič scrambled to pick up a ball just inside the touchline and fed it back to the middle of the box where it was met by a charing Alonso Martínez. The goal is a masterclass in the art of making a late run:

New York City added a second goal in the 40th minute, when Cincinnati center-back Miles Robinson helped the hosts complete a set play. Santiago Rodríguez lofted in a ball to the left in the hope that a teammate will head it across to an unmarked Thiago Martins, but it was Robinson who provided the header and the assist for the NYCFC captain's first MLS goal.

Here it is again, but this time from the stands:

It proved to be the game-winner. Cincinnati made adjustments during the halftime break and came roaring back in the second part of the game. Lucas Orellano scored a lethal goal in the 65th minute, and a Cincinnati attack reinforced by substitutes Sergio Santos and Kevin Kelsey threatened to score again, but New York City did just enough to run down the clock and grind out the win.

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Step 1: Contain Acosta

As goes Acosta, so goes Cincinnati.

Soccer might be a team sport, but FCC are unusually dependent on their No 10, a 30-year-old playmaker who is unquestionably one of the best in the league. With 14 goals and 19 assists he lead the league in 2024 with 33 goal involvements during the regular season. Considering that Acosta appeared in 32 league games, that gives him essentially one goal involvement every time he set foot on the field.

Fully 56.9% of Cincinnati's 58 regular season goals flowed through Acosta, and his performances are essential to a team without a striker: When he creates, they can win. Take him out of the game, and Cincinnati struggle.

On Monday, Acosta was the best outfielder player in Game 1 on either team: He controlled the game. Last night, Acosta put in his most tepid performance in nine since Cincinnati's 0-0 draw with Columbus Crew on September 14, eight games back. New York City didn't completely shut him down, but they severely hobbled a player accustomed to finding a way to dictate the attack.

Luciano Acosta | MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Stats

A New York City defensive midfield led by James Sands disposed him five times, and out-dueled him nine times. Most crucially, they limited him to an uncharacteristically poor pass completion rate of just 69%.

The defense gave up just two corners, one of which was taken by Acosta — compare that to Game 1, when they gave up nine corners, eight of which were taken by the midfielder. Acosta still took 71 touches in the game, but by limiting his passing lanes and forcing him into less dangerous positions, New York City largely neutralized the playmaker.

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Step 2: Freese them out

Another key to New York City's win is Freese's return to form. The goalkeeper wasn't at his best in the closing weeks of the season, when he leaked five goals in the final three league games, but his performances in these two Round One matchups remind us why he should be among the finalists for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

In Game 1, Freese kept his team in it despite New York City's anemic attack. In Game 2, Freese was the seawall that prevented a relentless Cincinnati attack from clawing back a goal and forcing a penalty shootout to decide the winner. His combined stats for Game 1 and Game 2 are astonishing: Freese made 10 saves while facing 12 shots on target for a save rate of 83.3%, and he allowed 2 goals on 5.15 xGOT to give him 3.15 goals prevented. Compare those numbers to the ones up by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, who made 3 saves while facing 7 shots on target for a save rate of 43.9%, allowing 3 goals 2.99 xGOT.

But numbers only tell part of the story. One of those saves was the point-blank save in the 80th minute that denied Cincinnati an equalizer:

Individual heroics like this do so much to set the tone for the team: They bring the crowd into the game, reassure your side, and deflate the opposition. Cincinnati might have dominated the momentum of the second half, creating more chances and generating more danger, but they looked increasingly unsure in front of goal.

If New York City are to win Game 3 on Saturday, and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, they will need another vintage night from Freese. And another collectively strong performance from the entire team.

Episode 10: A flop in Cincy and a must-win at Citi

An episode mainly about New York City FC’s loss to FC Cincinnati to open the MLS Cup Playoffs, covering the biggest moments from that game while also looking ahead to Game 2 and what NYCFC will need to do differently at Citi Field to keep their season alive.

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New York City FC 3 - 1 FC Cincinnati | Official Highlights