FC Cincinnati hope to close out host NYCFC in first-round playoff series

FC Cincinnati are one win away from a third straight trip to the MLS Eastern Conference semifinals as they visit New York City FC on Saturday afternoon for Game 2 of their best-of-three first-round playoff series.

Third-seeded Cincinnati needed just one goal in Monday's 1-0 series-opening win, Yamil Asad's header past NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese in the 51st minute. While a win on Saturday puts them in the conference semifinals against either the second-seeded Columbus Crew or seventh-seeded New York Red Bulls, the team understands the task won't be as straightforward as it sounds.

"We expect a very aggressive approach. Whether that's them stepping up from minute one or managing the game in a different way, we'll see," Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said. "But I imagine they're going to be very motivated and looking to put us under pressure and make us uncomfortable."

Sixth-seeded New York City FC are playing at their secondary venue of Citi Field in Queens due to World Series scheduling. The club, without defender Tayvon Gray after his red card in second-half stoppage time on Monday, hopes that the support of home fans can help NYCFC force a deciding Game 3 back in Cincinnati on Nov. 9.

"We're now playing in front of our people, and that is where we play our best football, but we need everybody behind us," NYCFC head coach Nick Cushing said. "The players are incredibly hungry. They have a huge desire to win this football game and to make sure that we win the game with our people."

New York City was 10-4-3 at home in the regular season, joining Miami and Columbus as the only East teams with double-digit home wins. Meanwhile, Cincinnati posted an 11-4-2 regular-season road record, tied with Inter Miami CF for the most road wins in MLS.

Luciano Acosta, who tied for the league lead in regular-season assists with 19, was credited with the helper on Asad's goal on Monday. Cincinnati held a dominant 22-6 edge in shots during the match, including a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal.

--Field Level Media