Playoff Watch: How Does FC Cincinnati’s Path to the Postseason Shape Up?

September 19, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release

On Saturday night, FC Cincinnati made what was possibly the most crucial step towards securing the club’s first berth in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. As Brenner turned his hips and fired FC Cincinnati into the lead in the 76th minute, FC Cincinnati secured its club-record 11th win of the season and sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

The path to Decision Day on Oct. 9 is not easy for any of the clubs who remain in the fight for a playoff spot. With four spots up for grabs and just three games left, FCCincinnati.com’s Playoff Watch takes a look at how this weekend’s results affected the playoff race.

Here’s how it looks right now:

Teams in the hunt (standings as of Sept. 19)

Position
Team
Points
Games Played
Record (W-L-D)
Remaining games

4th
New York City FC
49
32
14-11-7
vs ORL, at ATL

5th
Orlando City SC
45
31
13-12-6
at NYCFC, at MIA, vs CLB

6th
FC Cincinnati
45
31
11-8-12
at SEA, vs CHI, at DC

7th
Inter Miami CF
42
31
12-13-6
at TOR, vs ORL, vs MTL

8th
Columbus Crew
42
31
9-7-15
vs RBNY, at CLT, at ORL

9th
Atlanta United FC
40
32
10-12-10
at NE, vs NYCFC

10th
Charlotte FC
38
31
12-17-2
vs PHI, vs CLB, at RBNY

11th
New England Revolution
38
32
9-12-11
vs ATL, at CHI

Top seven teams in standings qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

Real Salt Lake 1-2 FC Cincinnati

No Eastern Conference team had won in RSL in the last 16 tries, since June 2017, until Saturday night in Sandy, Utah. Cincinnati kicked off a pair of crucial road contests against Western Conference foes with a 2-1 victory over Salt Lake. Brenner scored his 13th and 14th goals of the season while Roman Celentano matched his career high with seven saves. One of those saves was perhaps the most critical, as he stopped Pablo Ruiz’ penalty in first-half stoppage time.

What it means: The most important thing here is three points for FCC, keeping the chasing teams at arm’s length.

Columbus Crew 1-1 Portland Timbers

Another game, another late goal conceded by the Crew. After Caleb Porter’s side seemed set to take a massive three points and stay just one point back of Cincinnati and Orlando, a 90’+5 equalizer from Portland’s Santiago Moreno saw Columbus drop below the playoff line, tied on points with seventh-place Inter Miami CF.

What it means: Columbus need some help now if they want to make the playoffs. While tied on points with Miami, they have three less wins and will need to find a way to jump the Herons to…