The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a thumping 4-0 win over Toronto FC on October 9, while Cincinnati got the better of New York Red Bulls 2-1, six days later.
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Philadelphia Union will host FC Cincinnati in the Major League Soccer Cup playoff at Subaru Park on Thursday night. The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a thumping 4-0 win over Toronto FC on October 9, while Cincinnati got the better of New York Red Bulls 2-1, six days later. Philadelphia finished at the summit of the Eastern Conference standings, having collected 67 points from 34 games, while the visitors managed to secure a fifth place finish, with 14 points less than the leaders.Â
Let’s go! It’s an #MLSCupPlayoffs matchday. 👏 pic.twitter.com/COTbAaZage
— x – FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) October 20, 2022
After losing the Eastern Conference final 2-1 to New York City FC last term, Philadelphia Union would be aiming to cross the final hurdle this time around. Jim Curtin’s side recorded a whopping 19 wins and 10 draws in their regular season. They were the only team in 2022 who did not suffer a home defeat. Last time out, the U put four goals past Toronto without reply courtesy of Daniel Gazdag’s hat-trick and one goal from Mikael Uhre. It was Philadelphia’s eighth victory in their last nine games across all competitions. Â
Cincinnati, on the other hand, came from behind to get the better of NY Red Bulls, in their last outing. Lewis Morgan broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half, before Luciano Acosta leveled the score, from the penalty spot, sixteen minutes from time. And then, Brandon Vazquez’s 86th-minute strike helped the Orange and Blue secure the win. Cincinnati are a strong attacking unit that have scored in 14 consecutive MLS affairs, while their defence has been a bit leaky, having conceded in five consecutive MLS games.
Philadelphia Union probable starting lineup: blake, Wagner, Glesnes, Elliott, Harriel, McGlynn, Martinez, Flach, Gazdag, Carranza
FC Cincinnati probable starting lineup: Celentano, Miazga, Cameron, Hagglund, Murphy, Kubo, Moreno, Nwobodo, Acosta, Brenner, Vazquez
| Opponents | Score |
| Toronto FC | 4-0 (W) |
| Charlotte | 4-0 (L) |
| Atlanta United | 0-0 (D) |
| Orlando City | 5-1 (W) |
| NY Red Bulls | 0-2 (W) |
FC Cincinnati
| Opponents | Score |
| NY Red Bulls | 1-2 (W) |
| DC United | 2-5 (W) |
| Chicago Fire | 2-3 (L) |
| Seattle Sounders | 1-1 (D) |
| Real Salt Lake | 1-2 (W) |
| Last 5 match results |
| FC Cincinnati 3-1 Philadelphia union |
| Philadelphia union 1-1 FC Cincinnati |
| Philadelphia union 2-0 FC Cincinnati |
| FC Cincinnati 1-2 Philadelphia union |
| Philadelphia union 3-0 FC Cincinnati |
The MLS match between Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati will take place at Subaru Park on Friday at 5:30 am IST.
| Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati | Key details |
| Date | October 20 (USA) |
| Venue | Subaru Park |
| Kickoff time in USA | 8:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 5:30 am (Friday) |
For the football fans in the USA, the live coverage of the match will be available on Fox Sports network.
