Cincinnati came from behind to edge New York City 2-1 at TQL Stadium in a tightly contested affair. The hosts found themselves level at the break after conceding first, but dug deep in the second half to snatch all three points. New York had the better of the chances on paper, with eight shots on target compared to Cincinnati's six, and they also had five corners to their opponents' two. But Cincinnati made their opportunities count when it mattered. Roman Celentano proved the difference maker between the sticks. The Cincinnati keeper was immense throughout, earning a player-of-the-match display that kept his side in the contest when New York threatened to take control. His composure under pressure gave Cincinnati the platform to turn the game around, and in the end it was their superior clinical finishing that decided it. A hard-fought win that shows Cincinnati can compete with anyone on their day.
The Matchup
FC Cincinnati 2-1 New York City FC was the final score at TQL Stadium, in a game where FC Cincinnati did enough across the ninety minutes to deserve the three points. FC Cincinnati also had the better share of the ball, holding 56% possession, which usually goes hand in hand with the extra control a winning side tends to show. The shot count told a similar story, with 14 attempts from FC Cincinnati against 16 from New York City FC over the course of the game. It was not always comfortable for FC Cincinnati, and New York City FC pushed for a way back into the game, but the result stood. Games like this can carry real weight later in the season, so this is a scoreline worth remembering. Below is a closer look at how the match broke down, statistically.
Man of the Match
Match Statistics
Match Events
| Min | Team | Card | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11' | FC Cincinnati | Goal — K. Mboma | 1-0 | |
| 21' | New York City FC | Goal — Luighi (assist: A. Ojeda) | 1-1 | |
| 33' | FC Cincinnati | Matt Miazga | 1-1 | |
| 36' | New York City FC | Keaton Parks | 1-1 | |
| 50' | FC Cincinnati | Obinna Nwobodo | 1-1 | |
| 55' | New York City FC | Luighi Hanri | 1-1 | |
| 60' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — M. Miazga on, T. Hadebe off | 1-1 | |
| 60' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — E. Echenique on, B. J. Ramirez Leon off | 1-1 | |
| 64' | New York City FC | Substitution — B. Traore on, M. Jones off | 1-1 | |
| 64' | New York City FC | Substitution — Luighi on, S. Reid off | 1-1 | |
| 72' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — O. Nwobodo on, S. Gidi off | 1-1 | |
| 72' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — K. Denkey on, T. Barlow off | 1-1 | |
| 74' | New York City FC | Nicolás Fernández | 1-1 | |
| 75' | New York City FC | Substitution — K. O'Toole on, N. Cavallo off | 1-1 | |
| 75' | New York City FC | Substitution — K. Parks on, J. Shore off | 1-1 | |
| 81' | New York City FC | Substitution — A. Ojeda on, Talles Magno off | 1-1 | |
| 82' | FC Cincinnati | Samuel Gidi | 1-1 | |
| 83' | FC Cincinnati | Substitution — K. Smith on, T. Anunga off | 1-1 | |
| 90' | FC Cincinnati | Goal — Evander (assist: G. Valenzuela) | 2-1 |
FC Cincinnati vs New York City FC Lineups
Looking Ahead
FC Cincinnati does not have long to wait before getting back out onto the pitch. Their next test comes away at Nashville SC, and how they respond after this result will be worth watching. You can follow the build-up and everything you need to know when Nashville SC vs FC Cincinnati going to play at 30 August 2026 in Major League Soccer 2026.
New York City FC, meanwhile, will already be turning their attention to what comes next. They are next in action away at Toronto FC, a game that will give an early sense of how they carry this result forward. Full details are here: Toronto FC vs New York City FC going to play at 29 August 2026 in Major League Soccer 2026.