HARRISON, N.J. – FC Cincinnati advanced to the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs in the most dramatic fashion, but paid a heavy price as they cruised past the New York Red Bulls.
After trailing 1-0 at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, FC Cincinnati forced a penalty shootout after scoring an equalizer in the game’s closing stages. Cincinnati then won on penalties in the 10th round, securing a 2-0 victory in its best-of-three series against New York.
FC Cincinnati won 3-0 on Sunday at TQL Stadium and advanced to the second round of the postseason on Saturday via “PK’s,” which is a single-elimination format that won’t be played for about three weeks due to an upcoming tournament window for international games according to FIFA, the world football governing body.
“The boys persistently worked their way back into the game,” said FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan. “You go into the break and ask yourself how you are behind. We get punished for a mistake… but I thought the second half, especially the last 30 minutes, was really strong from the group. Good goal, a couple.” good chances… We found a way. We are very excited to continue.”
FC Cincinnati only seemed to have scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time in the second half after a corner kick from Luciano Acosta. The players on the field and on the FCC bench erupted in celebration, although the goal was initially disallowed on the field and then the referee’s decision of a foul on Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel was confirmed by a video referee review.
From PRO on FC Cincy’s late goal: “A foul was called for a foul on the RBNY goalkeeper. VAR confirmed the decision on the pitch as it was not a clear and obvious error.”
No goal for those who thought it was awarded and then disallowed.
– Pat Brennan (@PBrennanENQ) November 5, 2023
The score remained 1-1 as the late winner of the game was disallowed. The game ended immediately after the final whistle with a penalty shootout to end the open game.
How the penalty shootouts were won
Coronel made two saves in the shootout, blocking Santiago Arias in the third round and Yerson Mosquera in the ninth round. Meanwhile, Red Bulls defender John Tolkin hit the post in the fifth period. A converted kick would have given his team victory, but the shootout continued.
Then Serge Ngoma missed his chance to finish off the penalty when he shot over the net and into the stands immediately after Mosquera’s miss.
Alvaro Barreal converted FC Cincinnati’s 10th penalty to give the team an 8-7 lead, and goalkeeper Roman Celentano made a save from New York center Andres Reyes. This ended the first round series as the FCC defeated “RBNY”.
“Of course it was a tough game. When we came here, we wanted to finish it so we didn’t have to go back home,” Celentano said. “It gives us confidence knowing we can go down in a playoff game, especially away, if we come back and find a way to put it in the game. “It showed a lot of character from this group. Staying focused for 90 minutes, getting the equalizer and then concentrating when the guys are tired but show up to get pins and bury them anyway.
“They saved me and I made a save at the end…Now we are confident to move on.”
During the 90 minutes of open play, FC Cincinnati fell behind in the 45th minute with a goal from RBNY’s Tom Barlow. Aaron Boupendza scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute after an assist from Acosta.
FC Cincinnati paid the toll with the victory
FC Cincinnati paid high prices to advance. Matt Miazga received two yellow cards in the game, which did not earn him a red card as the second yellow card was given during the penalty shootout. But that card still earned him three points in the two playoff games against New York, which led to a suspension for gathering too many players.
Miazga subsequently claimed he shouldn’t have received a yellow card. Both came after 90 minutes when the first was awarded because he disagreed with referee Victor Rivas over Acosta’s disallowed goal.
In a post-match interview with The Enquirer, Miazga claimed he tried to show his appreciation to the Red Bulls fans he played for earlier in his career with a heart-shaped hand gesture.
“I gave them a heart and showed them my love, and in return I get a card? “For what?” said Miazga. “I have to make an effort and I’m banned now… Yes, of course. I feel excluded. I spoke to (Rivas) normally throughout the game.”
At FC Cincinnati, Dominique Badji and Obinna Nwobodo also left the competition early due to injuries. Acosta also played injured but did not leave the game. Noonan suggested that Badji’s ailments were muscular and that he could benefit from the three weeks before the next game.
Noonan said he hoped to receive good medical news about the other affected players.
“I’m really happy that we’re moving forward. It wasn’t an easy game and we progressed. That’s the most important. It took its toll on us,” Noonan said. “We’ll have to wait and see how Dom and Obi get out of this. There are concerns about that. And Matt is suspended for the next game and that shouldn’t happen, so hopefully we get some good news on the injuries and can get a strong result going into the next round as healthy as possible.
“The injuries are part of it. Sometimes you can’t avoid it. Obi is kicked, he obviously had to get out. There are concerns. Dom is buff… We’ll see how this news goes over in the coming days.” And Matt knows better. That means we shouldn’t miss him in the next round. As simple as that.”
An FC Cincinnati spokesperson told local media members that Miazga’s yellow card could be appealed. Noonan wasn’t sure how that process would work, indicating that FCC would have to start planning for the next playoff game assuming Miazga would be unavailable.
Tickets for the second round playoffs
Tickets for FC Cincinnati’s second-round single-elimination game against the winner of the Philadelphia Union-New England Revolution series go on sale Monday. Season ticket members as well as Orange and Blue Reserve members can purchase tickets from 10 a.m.
The public sale begins at 11 a.m
Penalty kick results
(Round for round, FC Cincinnati comes first).
- Round one: Luciano Acosta scores; Omir Fernandez scores. Draw, 1:1.
- Round Two: Yuya Kubo scores; Frankie Amaya scores. Draw, 2:2.
- Round three: Shot saved by Santiago Arias; Sean Nealis scores. RBNY leads 3-2.
- Round four: Brandon Vazquez scores; Cameron Harper scores. RBNY leads 4-3.
- Round five: Alvaro Barreal scores; John Tolkin hits the post. Draw, 4-4.
- Round six: Matt Miazga scores; Dylan Nealis scores. Draw, 5-5.
- Round seven: Aaron Boupendza scores; Elias Manoel scores. Draw, 6-6.
- Round eight: Sergio Santos; Peter Stroud scores. Draw, 7-7.
- Round nine: Yerson Mosquera’s shot is saved; Serge Ngoma shoots over the net. Draw, 7-7.
- Round 10: Junior Moreno scores; Andres Reyes’ shot is saved. FC Cincinnati wins 8:7.
FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls go to PK’s
Tonight we can see the new playoff format in its full glory. In this game, which ends in a draw after more than 90 minutes, the winner will be determined directly by penalty shootout. FC Cincinnati’s video assistant referee (VAR) ruled out a would-be game winner for a foul on New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. The FCC had scored a penalty, but it was disallowed.
FC Cincinnati equalizes (75th)
Luciano Acosta made one of his trademark slalom runs, overlapping Aaron Boupendza and cutting to Boupendza, who buried his shot inside Caros Coronel’s left post. We have 1:1.
Halftime
RBNY leads 1-0, meaning Cincinnati should expect the same physicality in the second half. FC Cincinnati has 45 minutes to get back into the game and try to tie the series tonight. If not, FCC and RBNY will play at TQL Stadium on Saturday for the sixth time in 2023.
RBNY in front (45th)
In the last minute of the first half, Tom Barlow gave the Red Bulls the lead. The Red Bull Arena isn’t full, but it’s rocking now.
An unexpected change for Cincinnati (34th)
Dominique Badji collapsed after the game and needed medical attention. He stood up on his own but eventually walked slowly off the field, with RBNY manager Troy Lesesne offering a sporting handshake because of the apparent injury. Aaron Boupendza came into play in Badji’s place.
Red Bulls don’t take it easy (30.)
As expected, things in the Red Bull Arena were subdued and physical. That should be the tenor of the second game of this series, especially with “RBNY” facing elimination. Both teams have had a single shot on goal so far. Dominique Badji from FCC has the only shot on goal.
Time to go (1′)
Can FC Cincinnati give the Red Bulls a first-round knockout? We’ll know in about two hours.
FC Cincinnati and New York Red Bulls starting lineups
- FC Cincinnati starting eleven: Roman Celentano (TW), Alvaro Barreal, Ian Murphy, Matt Miazga, Yerson Mosquera, Santiago Arias, Junior Moreno, Obinna Nwobodo, Luciano Acosta (captain), Dominique Badji, Brandon Vazquez
- Cincinnati bench: Alec Kann (TW), Yuya Kubo, Marco Angulo, Aaron Boupendza, Sergio Santos, Malik Pinto, Ray Gaddis, Bret Halsey, Gerardo “Dado” Valenzuela.
- RBNY starting lineup: Coronel (GK), Reyes, Duncan, Amaya, Manoel, Dylan Nealis, Sean Nealis, Tolkin, Barlow, Edelman, Luquinhas.
- RBNY Bank: Nocita, Stroud, Hurtado, Yearwood, Harper, Meara, Carmona.
More: MLS Cup 2023: FC Cincinnati wants to exclude the New York Red Bulls away
More: FC Cincinnati: Nick Hagglund is out for the remainder of the MLS Cup playoffs
Create the framework
FC Cincinnati can advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a win against New York, which must win to send the series back to Cincinnati for a decisive third game to be played at TQL Stadium on November 11th.
Cincinnati opened the series with a 3-0 win at TQL Stadium on Sunday.