FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC July 9 MLS Betting Preview

FC Cincinnati returns home this weekend after a 2-2 draw in New England, their fourth straight positive result. Now in fifth place with 25 points, FCC hosts Eastern Conference leaders New York Red Bulls to start a two-game home stand. Saturday’s kickoff at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, streaming on ESPN+ and airing on FCC TV.

These teams have met seven times since Cincinnati joined the league, and RBNY has four wins and one draw. Last season the Red Bulls won 1-0 in Ohio, and the teams drew 0-0 in New Jersey. The last FCC win in the series came in September 2020, as they won 1-0 on the road. 

Brenner on Fire for FC Cincinnati

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 have 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 continues to rack up goals with 15 strikes in the last seven games. They haven’t been shutout since April 16 and have scored in seven straight home games dating back to the opener on March 5.

Brenner has been the key to the goal explosion. After not scoring in his first ten appearances of the season, the Brazilian has scored in three straight games. That run includes a hat-trick against NYCFC in the most recent home game, and he also netted the game-tying goal at New England last weekend.

Luciano Acosta is the only player for the Orange and Blue to play in all 18 games this season, with 16 starts. He has six goals and a team-leading six assists. Striker Brandon Vazquez has played in 17 games with 16 starts while contributing eight goals and four assists.

The defense has still been a problem with a -3 goal differential, and their 32 goals allowed are third-worst in the Eastern Conference. Nick Hagglund has started 16 games in the back line, with Alvas Powell getting 12 starts and both Geoff Cameron and Alvas Powell have 11.

Roman Celetano took over goalkeeping duties in April and has started 11 straight games. His presence has helped FCC, allowing 18 goals in 11 games after allowing 14 in the first seven contests. Celetano has 34 saves and three clean sheets with five wins and three draws in 11 outings.

Red Bulls Surge into First

The Red Bulls have never lost in Cincinnati, with a 2-0 win in 2019 and a 1-0 win last year. They lead the league with six road wins after beating Sporting KC 1-0 on Sunday. They have won more than six games on the road just three times in franchise history, with a record of eight in 2000 and 2018.

The Red Bulls drew three straight games in early May and haven’t had a tie since May 18. They have four wins and three losses in that stretch, but the 12 points have been enough to move them ahead of Montreal and Philadelphia into first place in the East.

RBNY stumbled against the LA Galaxy on the road and fell behind against Atlanta United at the end of June before rallying for a 2-1 win. Lewis Morgan tied the game with a penalty kick, and Serge Ngoma netted the winner late in the game.

Defender Aaron Long returned to action against Atlanta United after being out with COVID. Against SKC, he scored his third goal of the season and 11th career MLS goal in the win. All of his MLS goals have come off either corner kicks or free kicks.

Morgan leads the team with eight goals on the season, and Luquinhas has five. Patryk Kimala has four goals and three assists, while Omir Fernandez has two goals and three assists. The Red Bulls have 29 goals on the season from nine different goal scorers, and they are +9 in goal differential.

Brazilian Carlos Coronel is tough to beat in goal, with 18 goals allowed in 18 starts. He has 55 saves and five clean sheets on the season. Ten of those goals have come in the ten road games, and RBNY has only allowed more than one goal five times all season.

Betting Analysis

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FC Cincinnati +160

RBNY +150

Draw +235

Total Goals: 2.5. Over -125. Under +100

First Goal: FC Cincinnati -105. RBNY -115. No Goals +1100

The way these teams have played recently, this game is bound to see goals. FCC plays a wide-open style which leads to opportunities but also leaves them exposed at the back.

Brenner has been on fire, and RBNY will need to contain him for 90 minutes, but FCC will have to be ready for attacks from both flanks to keep their spot in the standings.