FC Cincinnati vs. New York City Betting Preview & Picks

After a rare loss knocked them out of first place in the Eastern Conference, NYCFC looks to get back to their winning ways on Wednesday as they head to seventh-place FC Cincinnati.

The upstart hosts sit in the final playoff spot in the East with 23 points, off to their best start since joining the league. Kickoff at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, streaming on ESPN+ and airing on FCC TV.

These teams have met six times, and NYCFC has won all six, including an embarrassing 5-0 win last April. When the Pigeons came to Cincinnati last September, they returned home with a 2-1 win. NYCFC has scored at least two goals in all six games against FCC, and in four of the wins, they have at least four goals.

FC Cincinnati Looking for a Winning Streak

The Orange and Blue returned home on Friday and beat Orlando City SC 1-0 to set a new club record with seven wins in a season. FCC has gone two straight games without a loss for the third time this season, and they need one point on Wednesday to tie their club points record (24) from 2019. 

The offense has been much better for Cincinnati this season, with at least one goal in nine straight games heading into the NYCFC matchup. They have scored multiple goals in eight games and have hit three or more on three occasions. 

The problem has still been a leaky defense, though, as FCC has allowed two or more goals on six occasions. Twice they have lost 4-3, and they also fell 5-0 against Austin FC. The Orange and Blue have a -3 goal differential with 23 scored and 26 allowed. 

FCC has been much better on the road this season, with 14 points in nine games and just no points in seven home games. They do not have a tie at home, winning three and losing four. The win last Friday was the first at home since May 4, and they do not have consecutive home wins on the season.

Brandon Vazquez leads FCC with eight goals and three assists on the season, while Luciano Acosta has five goals and three assists. They are two of the four players with 14 starts this season, joining midfielder Junior Moreno and defender Nick Hagglund. Moreno also has two goals, as does Alvaro Barreal. 

Brenner finally found the back of the net on Friday, scoring in the 1-0 win over Orlando. The goal was his first in 12 games, his longest scoreless run since joining MLS.

FCC has used two goalies on the season, with Roman Celentano starting nine games and Alex Kann starting seven. Kann has two wins, one clean sheet, and 14 goals allowed, while Celentano has 12 goals allowed, 28 saves, and five wins. Celentano took over the starting job in April and should be in net on Wednesday night.

Defending Champs Need Back on Track

It is not easy in any league being the defending champions, as NYCFC are finding our first hand this season. Not only are they taking every team’s best shot, but they also had coach Ronny Deila walk away earlier this month to coach Standard Liege in Belgium. Nick Cushing is now the interim coach, and NYCFC is 0-1-1 in his two games in charge.

Last week the Pigeons saw their nine-game unbeaten streak come to an end with a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia Union. NYCFC has scored in six straight games, and after a run of six straight shutouts, they have now allowed three goals total in the last two games.

USMNT goalkeeper Sean Johnson has eight wins on the season with eight clean sheets. He has made 32 saves and allowed 13 goals, the second-lowest in MLS.

Taty Castellanos, the reigning Golden Boot winner in MLS, scored again last week and has eight tallies on the season. Thiago has scored four times for NYCFC, while Talles Magno and Alex Callens have three each. Santiago Rodriguez leads the way with five assists, while Magno has four and Maxi Moralez has three. 

Betting Analysis

FC Cincinnati (+235) moneyline

NYCFC (+105) moneyline

Draw (+240)

Total Goals: 2.5. Over (-135). Under (+110).

First Goal: FC Cincinnati (+125). NYCFC (-150). No Goal (+1100).

The way NYCFC have historically played against FCC, it is tough to pick the hosts, no matter how well they have been playing lately.

The Orange and Blue do have confidence, though, and an early goal or keeping NYCFC off the board for the first half would go a long way in securing a positive result in this one.

The visitors average 16 shots per game and allow just 6.5, so if they play their usual style, expect some fireworks in this one.

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