MLS Preview: FC Cincinnati (10-1-3) at New York City FC (4-6-4)

FC Cincinnati defeated New York City FC, 1-0, in round 4 of the US Open Cup on May 10, its first-ever win over New York City FC in all competitions. FC Cincinnati is now unbeaten in three straight matches against New York City FC (W1 D2) after losing each of the first six meetings. 

New Your City FC saw its 10-match home unbeaten run in all competitions (W8 D2) end with a 3-1 defeat to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, after taking an early lead. In league play, New York City FC had gone unbeaten in 27 consecutive home matches when leading at any point (W25 D2) dating back to May 2021.

FC Cincinnati is the fifth team in MLS history to collect at least 33 points from its first 14 matches of a season, with the previous four all going on to win the Supporter’s Shield. FC Cincinnati has reached that mark with a goal difference of +8 with the other four teams who did so having a goal difference of +18 or better. 

Gabriel Pereira was involved in nine of New York City FC’s 16 shots against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday (6 shots, 3 chances created), including scoring the team’s lone goal of the match. Pereira leads New York City FC in both shots (25) and chances created (22) this season. 

Nine of FC Cincinnati’s 10 MLS wins this season have been by a one-goal margin, four more than any other team in the league. In all nine victories, the winning goal was scored before the 75th minute, including Dominique Badji’s 33rd-minute goal goal against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.