New York City FC vs. FC Cincinnati | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 11
New York City FC vs. FC Cincinnati
Red Bull Arena – Harrison
September 12 – 7:00 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: YES, Star64

Unbeaten in their last four, New York City FC square off against FC Cincinnati Saturday night at Red Bull Arena.

NYCFC (4W-5L-1D) got a glimpse of what to expect Saturday night from FC Cincinnati (2W-5L-3D) when they played D.C. United to a 0-0 draw Sunday night at Audi Field. The Cityzens outshot D.C. 19-0. FC Cincy are coming off a 3-0 Hell is Real defeat at Columbus. 

NYCFC have won both of the previous meetings with FC Cincinnati, including a 5-2 victory at Yankee Stadium last June with Heber scoring a brace, a hat trick if you include an own goal, and Maxi Moralez added a goal and three assists.

New York City FC

NYCFC extended their unbeaten streak to four games, but were disappointed to leave Audi Field without all three points, settling for a 0-0 draw as they lamented the chances they missed.

"It was a tough formation and team to play against when they are so deep," first-year coach Ronny Deila said. "It's important that you get the first goal, then it's very hard for them to go from defense to offense and then for us there's going to be more space and I think you're going to see more than 1-0. But we didn't take our chances in the first half. We had two, three very big chances and we should have a goal from that."

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Ronald Matarrita (D) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Gedion Zelalem (M) - knee injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: James Sands (M)
• International duty: None

FC Cincinnati

It's now five matches without a win for FC Cincinnati, which suffered a 3-0 defeat to Columbus Crew SC Sunday at MAPFRE Stadium. Interestingly enough the only scorelines Jaap Stam's side have had since their return from the MLS is Back Tournament is 3-0 in defeat and 0-0. Their goalless streak is nearly 500 minutes heading into their match against NYCFC.

FC Cincinnati have mutually parted ways with forward Adrien Regattin, the club announced Friday.

“Our greatest priority is to focus on the wellbeing of all of our players and staff,” FCC general manager Gerard Nijkamp said in a team statement. “Adrien spoke to us about the possibility of stepping away from the club because of a family situation and we concluded that this would be the best possible solution for everybody. We are appreciative for all Adrien did for FC Cincinnati and we wish him all the best in his future.”

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Jimmy McLaughlin (M) - ankle injury
  • OUT: Saad Abdul-Salaam (D) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Maikel van der Werff (D) - undisclosed injury
• Suspended: Frankie Amaya (M)
• Suspended after next caution: Mathieu Deplagne (D)
• International duty: None

Series Matchup at NYCFC

• New York City FC won the only home meeting between the teams, defeating FC Cincinnati 5-2 on June 6, 2019 at Yankee Stadium.

Officials

• Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
• Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Jose da Silva
• 4th Official: Thomas Snyder
• VAR: Alan Kelly