Union's long shot playoff hopes require win over FC Cincinnati

The Philadelphia Union's playoff fate will be determined on Decision Day when they play host to FC Cincinnati on Saturday in Chester, Pa.

A win for the Union (9-14-10, 37 points) is only part of the club's long shot scenarios. They would also need losses from CF Montreal against New York City FC and D.C. United against Charlotte FC as the most straightforward sequence of events.

Other combinations exist, but the reality is that a seventh consecutive playoff appearance is in jeopardy. The Union enter Saturday 11th in the Eastern Conference and winless in their last three matches (0-2-1). The top nine teams make the playoffs.

"You don't want to be in this situation, but that's our reality right now, and we have to win a game and get some help," Union coach Jim Curtin said. "There's going to be ebbs and flows ... but the only thing we do control is getting that win, and without that, all the other stuff doesn't matter."

Daniel Gazdag, the Union's leading scorer, enters Saturday with 17 goals, tied with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Real Salt Lake's Cristian Arango for fifth in MLS.

FC Cincinnati (17-11-5, 56 points) are guaranteed the third seed in the East and will have home-field advantage through at least Round 1 of the playoffs. But their form has been shaky in recent weeks, going winless in their last four matches (0-3-1).

The challenge for Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan is getting his club in the right frame of mind before the postseason begins.

"My message has been to just do the simple things well, play your role, play as a team," Noonan said. "And when we do that ... that's when we're at our best and that's what we need to be moving forward."

Luciano Acosta scored in Cincinnati's last match, a 3-1 loss to Orlando City on Oct. 5. Acosta's 14 goals are a team high, while his 19 assists lead the league.

Based on Supporters' Shield standings, Cincinnati will clinch a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup with a win.

--Field Level Media