FC Cincinnati lock down 3 seed in East with win over Union

Field Level Media|published: Sun 20th October, 01:47 2024

Oct 19, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; FC Cincinnati midfielder Yamil Asad (27) celebrates with forward Yuya Kubo (7) after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Union during the first half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Jakob Glesnes conceded an own goal early in the second half, and FC Cincinnati defeated the host Philadelphia Union 2-1 in Chester, Pa., on Saturday to wrap up the 2024 MLS regular season.

Yamil Asad also scored as Cincinnati (18-11-5, 59 points) nabbed the Eastern Conference's third seed in the MLS Cup playoffs, ended its three-match losing streak. It also clinched a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cincinnati will face sixth-seeded New York City FC in the first round

The Union (9-15-10, 37 points) will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Philadelphia, who needed a win plus other results to get into the postseason, finished the season on a three-match losing streak and winless in their last four (0-3-1).

Cincinnati, looking to break its late-season slump, took the lead in the 46th minute. Glesnes looked to pass it back to goalkeeper Andre Blake near his own goal, but Blake wasn't anticipating the pass as it harmlessly rolled into the net to make it a 2-1 Cincinnati lead.

That came after Cincinnati tied the match in first-half stoppage time. Yamil Asad made it a 1-1 match just before halftime, a well-taken strike inside the box after a scramble inside the scoring area. It was his third goal of the season.

Asad's goal canceled an opener from Quinn Sullivan, who took a pass from Jack McGlynn and scored at Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano's far post for a 1-0 lead in the second minute. It was Sullivan's fifth goal of the season.

The Union's leading scorer, Daniel Gazdag, was forced to exit in favor of Danley Jean Jacques in the 15th minute due to injury.

--Field Level Media

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