FC Cincinnati's Season Ends in Heartbreaking Penalty Shootout Loss to NYCFC

FC Cincinnati's Season Ends in Heartbreaking Penalty Shootout Loss to NYCFC

FC Cincinnati's 2024 season came to a close after a dramatic 6-5 shootout loss to New York City FC in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One. The Orange and Blue finished the season with a record of 23-15-7.

Despite a scoreless draw in the third game of the best-of-three series, the match went to penalties, where NYCFC ultimately prevailed. This marked the first time FC Cincinnati had been defeated in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs since their three-year postseason streak began.

Key Moments:

• Roman Celentano made two saves in the shootout, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Pigeons' relentless scoring.
• FC Cincinnati and NYCFC finished in a draw for the first time since 2022. FCC's overall record against NYCFC is 6-8-3.
• FC Cincinnati is 4-4 in match-deciding penalty kick shootouts since 2019.
• Since the start of the 2023 season, FC Cincinnati are 5-0-1 against NYCFC at TQL Stadium.

The Scoreline:

CIN: 0-0-0 (5) NYC: 0-0-0 (6)

Key Players:

• Roman Celentano: The FC Cincinnati goalkeeper stood strong with two key saves during the shootout.
• Luciano Acosta: The captain scored a vital penalty during the shootout.
• Santiago Rodríguez: The NYCFC midfielder scored a decisive penalty in the shootout, securing the win for his team.

What's Next?

FC Cincinnati's 2024 campaign may be over, but the team has proven its strength and will look to build on this momentum for the future. The club's strong performance throughout the season, including their undefeated record at TQL Stadium against NYCFC, shows the promise they have for future seasons.