🚨 NYCFC impress to force third match against Cincinnati

The MLS Cup Playoffs continue with a trio of quality games Saturday evening, including Inter Miami’s showdown with Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Here is what has gone down so far.

NYCFC 3-1 FC Cincinnati

Scorers: Martínez 22′, Martins 40′, Rodríguez 90+7′ (P) ; Orellano 65′

NYCFC forced a decisive third match with a huge win against FC Cincinnati at Citi Field Saturday evening.

Cincinnati looked back to their brilliant and solid best in the first match between the two Eastern Conference foes, but they were under the cosh early on in Queens, and found themselves 2-0 down at the break after a lovely team goal capped off by Alonso Martínez, and a headed effort by Thiago Martins.

While NYCFC poured forward to find a third and game-killing goal, Cincinnati pulled one back through a frankly stunning Luca Orellano strike, who nutmegged an NYCFC defender before finding the top-corner.

The visitors did create a bundle of late chances to pull level but some heroic goalkeeping by Matt Freese, and a late Santiago Rodríguez penalty ensured the Pigeons held on to send the series back to Cincinnati.

Check back later for updates from around the grounds

📸 Luke Hales – 2024 Getty Images