FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC | 2019 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

2019 MLS Regular Season - Week 24
FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC
Nippert Stadium - Cincinnati
August 17 - 7:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada

Coming off an emotional Hell is Real draw in Columbus, FC Cincinnati are seeking revenge from a three-goal defeat at Yankee Stadium to New York City FC. Meanwhile, NYCFC are looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United when the Eastern Conference foes clash at Nippert Stadium Saturday night.

FC Cincy (5-17-3) raced out to an early two-goal lead only to settle for a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew SC last Saturday. Darren Mattocks opened the scoring in the 16th minute and Emmanuel Ledesma made it 2-0 seven minutes later to get the expansion side off to a sparking start at a stunned MAPFRE Stadium. But the Crew responded with a Gyasi Zardes penalty kick and a 62nd-minute equalizer from Pedro Santos as the rivals were forced to share the points.

NYCFC (10-5-8) came out tentative at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday. Once they started playing their style, it was too late against Atlanta United. Josef Martinez broke the stalemate three minutes from halftime on a sublime header and had his brace from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute. Heber came off the bench to give NYCFC a late lifeline, but an equalizer was not in the cards.

This is the second meeting this year with NYCFC winning 5-2 in June with Heber scoring a hat trick, of sorts, burying a brace and adding an own goal. Maxi Moralez had a goal and three assists in the rout.

FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC | 2019 MLS Match Preview - FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati vs. NYCFC

Saturday, August 17 at 7:30 PM ET
Nippert Stadium

FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC | 2019 MLS Match Preview - NYCFC

GET TICKETS

FC Cincinnati

Injury Report:

OUT: Jimmy McLaughlin (M) - right ACL surgery
QUESTIONABLE: Fatai Alashe (M) - hamstring injury
QUESTIONABLE: Kekuta Manneh (M) - shoulder injury
QUESTIONABLE: Greg Garza (D) - right calf injury
QUESTIONABLE: Fanendo Adi (F) - calf injury
QUESTIONABLE: Frankie Amaya (M) - groin injury
QUESTIONABLE: Spencer Richey (GK) - back injury

Suspended: None

Suspended after next caution: Kendall Waston (D)

International duty:
None

New York City FC

- Injury Report:
  - OUT: Joe Scally (D) - hip injury
  - OUT: Isamael Tajouri-Shradi (F) - ankle injury
  - OUT: Ebenezer Ofori (M) - knee injury
  - QUESTIONABLE: Alex Callens (D) - hamstring injury
  - QUESTIONABLE: Anton Tinnerholm (D) - hamstring injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Ben Sweat (D), Valentin Castellanos (F), Alex Ring (M), Maxime Chanot (D)
- International duty: None

Series Matchup

This is the first all-time meeting between FC Cincinnati and NYCFC at Nippert Stadium. NYCFC won the first-ever meeting between the teams, 5-2, at Yankee Stadium June 6.