FC Cincinnati’s dream season continues and the club is just two wins away from winning the MLS Cup title.
Injury- and suspension-depleted FC Cincinnati advanced from Saturday’s Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Union thanks to a dramatic late winner from center back Yerson Mosquera. That sent the sold-out TQL Stadium crowd of 25,513 into a frenzy after a thrilling night of playoff football.
The win propelled FCC to the Eastern Conference finals, where it hosts arch-enemy Columbus Crew on Saturday (6 p.m.) at TQL Stadium. Columbus reached the conference finals by defeating Orlando City SC 2-0 in overtime.
FC Cincinnati and Columbus split their two-game season series with one win each.
Mosquera’s goal came from a quick free-kick restart orchestrated by captain Luciano Acosta, who played the ball down the field to Alvaro Barreal. Barreal then played a long, hopeful pass into the Philadelphia penalty area, and Dominique Badji laid the ball on a plate for Mosquera.
The Enquirer will update this report.
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Welcome to Cincinnati.com’s live coverage of top-seeded FC Cincinnati vs. No. 4 Philadelphia Union at TQL Stadium in the MLS Cup Eastern Conference playoff semifinals. Refresh this page for updates and analysis across the range. Follow Enquirer FC Cincinnati beat reporter Pat Brennan on X, formerly Twitter, for more updates (@PBrennanENQ).
Was that the winner? (90+)
Yerson Mosquera scored off a quick free kick restart from Luciano Acosta to make it 1-0. Was that the goal that led FC Cincinnati to the MLS Cup Eastern Conference final?
The first change for Cincinnati (88th)
Aaron Boupendza’s evening is over. In his place is Dominique Badji, who should provide pace and one of the team’s better goals this year.
It’s crunch time (65′)
We are at a phase of the game where the next goal could be decisive. It’s goalless for now. Neither team has had any great chances so far this half.
Halftime
It was tense. It was a little rough around the edges. And it’s goalless. Memory.
Cincy controlled most of the first half (40th minute)
With time running out in the first 45 minutes, FC Cincinnati had a statistical advantage – about 60% of the ball possession, four shots on the Union’s first point and five corners on the Union’s only point. But there are no goals to show for it. Andre Blake, winner of the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the past few years, is sharp tonight.
Check in after 15 minutes
Cincy FC sticks its head in uncomfortable places to win 50/50 balls. Lots of energy early. The game is largely played on their own terms, although Philadelphia defends their penalty area well.
We are on the way (1′)
Rose Lavelle unsheathed the mace sword as part of the on-field ceremonies before the game. This game is in progress.
Oh, and Columbus Crew already defeated Orlando City SC 2-0 in overtime, leaving FCC playing for the ultimate showdown in the Eastern Conference finals next weekend.
Obinna Nwobodo does not play against Union
A late kick-off
- Kick-off is expected to be at 8:25 p.m. The game is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m
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Starting lineups for FC Cincinnati, Philadelphia Union
- FC Cincinnati starting eleven: Roman Celentano (TW), Alvas Powell, Yerson Mosquera, Ray Gaddis, Ian Murphy, Alvaro Barreal, Yuya Kubo, Luciano Acosta (captain), Junior Moreno, Aaron Boupendza, Brandon Vazquez.
- Cincinnati starting lineup: Alec Kann (TW), Marco Angulo, Santiago Arias, Dominique Badji, Sergio Santos, Malik Pinto, London Aghedo, Bret Halsey, Gerardo Valenzuela.
- Philadelphia Union starting eleven: Andre Blake (TW), Nathan Harriel, Jack Elliott, Damion Lowe, Olivier Mbaizo, Jose Martinez, Jack McGlynn, Alejandro Bedoya, Mikael Uhre, Daniel Gazdag, Julian Carranza.
- Philadelphia bank: Matt Real, Jakob Glesnes, Joe Bendik, Jeremy Rafanello, Joaquin Torres, Jesus Bueno, Chris Donovan, Tai Baribo, Quinn Sullivan.
- In addition to Nwobodo, Leon Flach (injury) and Kai Wagner (suspension) from Philadelphia as well as Nick Hagglund (injury) and Matt Miazga (suspension) from FC Cincinnati are not available for tonight’s game.