FC Cincinnati will have MLS Cup Playoff qualification on their minds when they face the visiting Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon.
Cincinnati (11-11-10, 43 points) settled for a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami on Wednesday after allowing a Riquelme Fillipi equalizer in the 90th minute. It enters Saturday’s match in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with two matches left, with a win against the Union securing playoff qualification.
FC Cincinnati can also qualify with a draw and a Toronto loss or draw against Atlanta and a Red Bulls draw vs. Nashville and a NYCFC loss or draw vs. Montreal. They can also clinch with a Toronto loss or draw vs. Atlanta and a Red Bulls loss to Nashville and a NYCFC loss or draw vs. Montreal.
“It’s still at this stage, an important point on the road, and now we go home for two games,” Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said. “I imagine guys are going to be up for it and ready to see out the year in front of our home fans in a positive way.”
Philadelphia (13-11-8, 47 points) drew 0-0 against Nashville SC on Wednesday, but qualified for the postseason due to the New England Revolution’s 3-2 win over the New York Red Bulls.
While leading scorer Milan Iloski (19 goals) remains out due to a strained hamstring, Cavan Sullivan will be available after missing Wednesday’s match with an ankle injury, interim head coach Ryan Richter said. Second-leading scorer Bruno Damiani (12 goals) will return after serving a yellow-card suspension.
Richter noted that the key for the Union will be to stop Kevin Denkey and Evander, who have combined for 31 goals and 22 assists to power Cincinnati’s attack. FC Cincinnati’s 66 goals are tied with Nashville for third in MLS.
“They have two really solid pieces that can win a game for you and can find a moment in a game almost out of nothing,” Richter said. “So we have to do a good job to stay focused to limit the threats that they present and then find our ways that we can be successful and break them down.”
Evander had two assists against Miami, giving him a league-high 17 on the season.
Philadelphia won the previous meeting between the two teams, a 5-0 rout on Sept. 9 in Chester, Pa. Damiani scored a hat trick while Cincinnati’s Obinna Nwobodo was sent off in the 16th minute.
–Field Level Media
