- Team form: FC Cincinnati have posted 3 wins and 1 loss in their recent home games.
- Away form: New York City FC have managed 1 win and 1 defeat in their recent away games.
- Head-to-head: The head-to-head record for the last 5 matches in all competitions is 4-0-1 in favor of New York City FC.
Two for the price of one at TQL Stadium
FC Cincinnati and New York City FC each have 26 points from 18 games in MLS 2026, with FCC in 12th place and NYCFC in 11th, so this mid-table six-pointer should see both sides give it their all at TQL Stadium on Wednesday. The odds on the game are close, with 2.12 on the hosts, 2.9 on the visitors and the draw at 3.95, which looks like great value.
The last 4-4 draw between these two teams came in the reverse fixture at New York City FC three months ago in MLS 2026 and the head-to-head data suggests that, again, there will be no clear winner. FC Cincinnati have failed to beat New York City FC in either of their two previous home games against them, which should keep the visitors confident coming into this contest. However, FC Cincinnati are in the ascendancy at home where they have won 3 and lost 1 of their recent matches played since that crazy 4-4 thriller in New York City, so the hosts certainly have a chance here.
A tactical matchup to watch
Systems and approach
Pat Noonan has steered FC Cincinnati with his pragmatic and flexible 3-4-1-2 or 3-5-2 formation. FCC will always have a solid back three and will look to spring players forward on the counterattack where they can be deadly in transition and on second balls. In contrast, Pascal Jansen, who took over at New York City FC in January 2025, has implemented a more fluid and free-flowing system based on possession, central overloads and counter-pressing when the ball is lost.
Key players
Evander Ferreira leads the scoring for FC Cincinnati with 11 goals in 17 MLS 2026 matches, while Nicolas Fernandez tops the charts for New York City FC with 13 in 18. The fact that Fernandez has been on form lately, hitting 3 of the 9 goals that NYCFC have scored in their last 5 games, suggests that New York City FC may have a slight edge here, and it's hard to justify an away win.
A close one at TQL
Both of these teams have put in mixed performances in MLS 2026.
FC Cincinnati are coming off a 2-0 home win over Pumas UNAM Mexico and a 1-2 defeat at home to CF Atlas Guadalajara in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup 2026/2027. New York City FC are in after a 2-0 home victory over Santos Laguna Mexico and a 2-1 away defeat to Cruz Azul in the same competition, so neither team will be full of confidence here.
- The form guides are slightly better for the away side with 3-1-1 from the past 5, compared to 3-0-2 for the home side, but we're on the fence about this one and will lean towards the home edge.
- With New York City FC conceding 1.12 goals per away game in MLS 2026, however, and FC Cincinnati averaging 3.11 goals per home game, we feel that the game will be more open than the odds suggest and we will take 3 points on over 2.5 goals at 1.44 and Both Teams To Score Yes at 1.4.
