In a fight for group supremacy, two of the top five teams in the MLS Eastern Conference will clash at TQL Stadium on Monday night when FC Cincinnati hosts New York City FC for their final Leagues Cup group stage match.
Despite Cincinnati (2nd) currently sitting above NYCFC (5th) in that Eastern Conference table, however, the Pigeons have the superior head-to-head record after winning the first six meetings between the clubs when the Ohioans joined MLS in 2019. Notably, that record flipped when Nick Cushing became NYCFC head coach as he is still yet to beat FC Cincy head coach Pat Noonan since taking the job at the start of 2023 with two draws and four losses.
Since both MLS sides have already secured their spot in the Round of 32 with wins against Club Querétaro in their tournament openers, this matchup is set to determine seeding.
The scenario is simple: no matter whether in regulation or penalties, the winner at the Teek on Monday will claim the top spot in group East 3. As a result, they will draw the second-place finisher in group East 7 as their Round of 32 opponent. The loser on Monday will still advance, but instead draw a matchup with the winner of group East 5 in their first knockout round game.
Rebounding from a difficult start to the season, Cushing’s NYCFC squad has fought back into contention led by a potent attacking trio. Santiago Rodríguez, Hannes Wolf, and Alonso Martínez have each recorded at least ten goal contributions in MLS this season to lead the goalscoring. Meanwhile, James Sands and Keaton Parks patrol midfield with Matt Freese, one of the league’s best goalkeepers this season, between the pipes.
On the other side, reigning MLS MVP Luciano Acosta leads FCC with 11 goals and 18 assists this season aided by a wide-ranging supporting cast. From star wing-back Luca Orellano (5g, 6a) to midfield general Pavel Bucha (4g, 5a) to Swiss-army knife Yuya Kubo (9g, 1a), the goals come from everywhere for the reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield champions with Noonan, the reigning MLS Coach of the Year,, at the helm.
After lifting that first trophy in club history last season, FC Cincy aims to add silverware to their cabinet this year. For NYCFC too, who also have only one trophy (2021 MLS Cup) in club history, Leagues Cup provides an exciting opportunity to add titles to the club’s resumé.
Both are certainly contenders this season, but first, we must determine their path to the final.
