After multiple dramatic Decision Day results, Orlando City and FC Cincinnati will meet in the Eastern Conference Wild Card round of the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.
They'll clash at Orlando's Inter.co Stadium on Nov. 19, as the Lions secured the No. 8 seed thanks to a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution.
Meanwhile, Cincy's 2-0 loss to Supporters' Shield winners Nashville SC dropped them into the No. 9 seed.
The winner will advance to face Nashville in the Round One Best-of-3 Series.
- Standings: 8th in Eastern Conference
- Points: 46 (13W-14L-7D)
Orlando endured a difficult start to their 2026 campaign, managing only one win in their first eight league matches. The poor run contributed to the dismissal of head coach Oscar Pareja, with MartÃn Perelman taking over on an interim basis.
Since then, it's largely trended upwards as the Lions climbed from the East's basement into the playoff places.
Orlando's turnaround coincides with the arrival of French superstar Antoine Griezmann, who joined in July from Atlético Madrid and has emerged as a Newcomer of the Year candidate. The 2018 FIFA World Cup champion produced 14g/8a in 18 games this season.
Other key contributors include club legend MartÃn Ojeda (16g/5a), USMNT forward Justin Ellis (1g/11a) and Canadian international goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
- Standings: 9th in Eastern Conference
- Points: 46 (12W-12L-10D)
It may not have been the regular season FC Cincinnati fans have become accustomed to over the past few years, but make no mistake: the Orange & Blue will still be a tough out for any opponent during the postseason.
After an up-and-down campaign, Cincy got hot at the right time, closing out their 2026 campaign with three wins and a draw in their last five matches.
However, the teams around them in the standings were just as hot, if not hotter, meaning a Decision Day loss to Nashville, who set the single-season points record as a result, saw them drop to ninth in the East.
Now, it's up to perennial Landon Donovan MLS MVP contender Evander, who once again led his side in goal contributions with 31 (14g/17a), and star striker Kévin Denkey (17g/5a) to lead Cincinnati to a road upset over Orlando and set up a rematch with Nashville in the Round One Best-of-3 Series.
The two squads have faced off 15 times and have an identical 5W-5L-5D record against one another.
Orlando and Cincinnati have only ever met in the regular season. This will be their first postseason matchup.
