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MLS FC Cincinnati

Playoff Watch: Two Games Remain for the Orange and Blue

September 28, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release


FC Cincinnati earned a point against Seattle Sounders FC last night in a midweek match rescheduled from earlier in the season. It was an important point for the Orange and Blue who look to make the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in club history.

This weekend is chock-full of important matches that will further shape the playoff picture as FC Cincinnati look to book their ticket to the postseason.

Here is how things stand in the Eastern Conference.

Teams in the hunt (standings as of Sept. 28)

Position Team Points Games Played Record (W-L-D) Remaining Games Max. points possible

3rd x - New York Red Bulls 50 32 14-10-8 at CLB, vs CLT 56

4th New York City FC 49 32 14-11-7 vs ORL, at ATL 55

5th FC Cincinnati 46 32 11-8-13 vs CHI, at DC 52

6th Orlando City SC 45 31 13-12-6 at NYCFC, at MIA, vs CLB 54

7th Inter Miami CF 42 31 12-13-6 at TOR, vs ORL, vs MTL 51

8th Columbus Crew 42 31 9-7-15 vs NYRB, at CLT, at ORL 51

9th Atlanta United 40 32 10-12-10 at NE, vs NYCFC 46

10th Charlotte FC 38 31 12-17-2 vs PHI, vs CLB, at NYRB 47

11th New England Revolution 38 32 9-12-11 vs ATL, at CHI 44

Top seven teams in standings qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs (Top four teams host a Round One game)

FC Cincinnati now sit fifth in the table on 46 points with two matches to play. The Orange and Blue can earn a maximum of 52 points with wins over Chicago, this weekend in the home finale on Oct. 1, and at DC United, on Decision Day, Oct. 9.

FC Cincinnati are still in the running for a top-four finish but would need New York City FC or New York Red Bulls to stumble in their final two games. Three points for the Pigeons in one of their two remaining games and two points from Red Bulls would eliminate the Orange and Blue from top-four contention.

BIG GAMES THIS WEEKEND

While the biggest game of the weekend is undoubtedly at TQL Stadium on Saturday, anyone who is table-watching will want to pay close attention to a few key matchups.

Toronto FC vs Inter Miami CF - Friday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Inter Miami, currently occupying the final MLS Cup Playoffs position, travels north of the border to take on Toronto FC, who were eliminated from playoff contention after a loss in Orlando on Sept. 17.

Dropped points for Miami in this one would be massive for the Orange and Blue as FC Cincinnati continues to fight for breathing room above the playoff line. Miami are currently four points behind FC Cincinnati, and a win would take them level with Orlando City on 45 points, just one behind Cincy. Miami defeated Toronto 2-1 in South Florida back in August.

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls - Saturday Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Tied with Miami on points, Columbus welcomes third-place New York to Lower.com field on Saturday night. Red Bulls clinched their spot in the postseason in mid-September, but still need points to secure a home playoff game.

Columbus sits outside the playoff spots at the moment, but only on tiebreakers. A loss or draw for the Crew would be another big result for FC Cincinnati fans, who will be tuned into the action just down I-71 at the same time.




Major League Soccer Stories from September 28, 2022


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