FC Cincinnati lock down 3 seed in Eastern Conference with win over Philly Union

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

Yamil Asad also scored as Cincinnati (18-11-5, 59 points) nabbed the Eastern Conference’s third seed in the MLS Cup playoffs, ended their three-match losing streak. It also clinched 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, who needed a win plus other results to get into the postseason, finished the season on a three-match losing streak and winless in their last four (0-3-1).

Cincinnati, looking to break its late-season slump, took the lead in the 46th minute. Glesnes looked to pass it back to goalkeeper Andre Blake near his own goal, but Blake wasn’t anticipating the pass as it harmlessly rolled into the net to make it a 2-1 Cincinnati lead.

That came after Cincinnati tied the match in first-half stoppage time. Yamil Asad made it a 1-1 match just before halftime, a well-taken strike inside the box after a scramble inside the scoring area. It was his third goal of the season.

Asad’s goal canceled an opener from Quinn Sullivan, who took a pass from Jack McGlynn and scored at 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 leading scorer, Daniel Gazdag, was forced to exit in favor of Danley Jean Jacques in the 15th minute due to injury.

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.