Cincinnati vs. NYCFC (Oct. 28, 2024) Pregame

Pat Noonan hopes the urgency of the MLS Cup playoffs will get the best of his third-seeded FC Cincinnati when it hosts sixth-seeded New York City FC in the opening game of the series' first round on Monday night.

FC Cincinnati has home advantage in the series due to its higher ranking in the Eastern Conference table. But Noonan's side had lost three in a row before overturning an early deficit with a 2-1 win in Philadelphia on the final day of the season.

“It feels different, and it should. And you realize you have to be very connected in every aspect of the game,” Noonan said of his team’s mood heading into Monday. “At this stage, so many little things become so much more important that you have to get them right.”

Monday's hosts still have plenty of talent capable of going deep, led again by 2023 MLS MVP Luciano Acosta.

He is not an MVP finalist this season, although he had 14 goals in 2023 and 19 assists in 2024. He has contributed goals in four of Cincy's last five games.

Meanwhile, NYCFC has found its starting point for the postseason with three wins in a row before a loss on the final day of the regular season in Montreal.

Costa Rican striker Alonso Martinez went somewhat unnoticed despite his 16 goals, and Santiago Rodriguez has a career-high 12 goals and 10 assists.

Coach Nick Cushing also hopes New York City's run to the quarterfinals of the 2024 League Cup will help his team understand how to handle the postseason atmosphere.

“We conveyed a lot to the group that the League Cup – particularly the knockout stages – was a really good opportunity to experience winning and being through, losing and being out,” Cushing said.

NYCFC ultimately lost on penalties in the quarterfinals following a 1-1 draw by the Columbus Crew.

Cincinnati and NYCFC split their regular-season meetings, with Cincy winning 1-0 at home in March and losing 3-2 at NYCFC earlier this month.

–Field level media