Cincinnati 2-1 Philadelphia (Oct 19, 2024) Match Analysis

Jakob Glesnes conceded an own goal early in the second half and FC Cincinnati defeated the host Philadelphia Union 2-1 on Saturday in Chester, Pennsylvania, ending the 2024 MLS regular season.

Yamil Asad also scored as Cincinnati (18-11-5, 59 points) secured third place in the Eastern Conference in the MLS Cup playoffs, ending its three-game losing streak. It also secured them a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cincinnati will face sixth-seeded New York City FC in the first round.

The Union (9-15-10, 37 points) will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Philadelphia, needing a win and more results to reach the postseason, finished the season on a three-game winning streak and remained winless in its last four games (0-3-1).

Cincinnati, looking to overcome its late-season slump, took the lead in the 46th minute. Glesnes tried to pass the ball back to goalkeeper Andre Blake near his own goal, but Blake didn't expect the pass to roll harmlessly into the net, giving Cincinnati a 2-1 lead.

This came after Cincinnati tied the game in first-half stoppage time. Yamil Asad made it 1-1 shortly before half-time with a successful shot in the penalty area after a scramble inside the goal area. It was his third goal of the season.

Asad's goal canceled out an opener by Quinn Sullivan, who took a pass from Jack McGlynn and shot past Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano's far post for a 1-0 lead in the second minute. It was Sullivan's fifth goal of the season.

The Union's top scorer, Daniel Gazdag, had to retire in the 15th minute due to injury in favor of Danley Jean Jacques.

–Field level media