This will be the first ever meeting between Austin FC and FC Cincinnati in MLS. Cincinnati has collected just one point in eight all-time away matches against Western Conference opponents, earning that lone draw at Houston last July.
Austin FC endured a difficult first MLS season, losing 21 times in 34 games. Only three expansion teams lost more times in their first season: Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake in 2005 and FC Cincinnati in 2019 (22).
FC Cincinnati lost its last 12 games last season, the most consecutive 90-minute losses in MLS history (excluding breakaway shootouts). No team in MLS history has lost 13 consecutive matches, with or without breakaway shootouts.
Austin FC won four of its final five home matches last season (D1), holding opponents to just four total goals. Austin won just three of its first 12 matches at Q2 Stadium (D2 L7), conceding multiple goals in six of those matches.
FC Cincinnati had the worst defense in MLS last season, allowing 74 goals. In its only two full MLS seasons, Cincinnati has two of the three worst defensive seasons in league history (75 allowed in 2019, 74 allowed in 2021, tied with Orlando City in 2018).
