Cincinnati vs New York Red Bulls

TQL Stadium plays host to a high-stakes Major League Soccer showdown between Cincinnati and New York Red Bulls.

Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls Cincinnati have gone unbeaten in four consecutive MLS fixtures (W1, D3) since a goal-friendly 4-3 defeat away to CF Montreal in late May. But with eighth-placed Charlotte trailing by two points, Pat Noonan’s side will have to bounce back from back-to-back league draws if they were to retain their playoff spot. Playing at home won’t necessarily improve Cincinnati’s chances, given they’ve picked up the Eastern Conference joint-low ten home points this season. Furthermore, the ‘Orange and Blue’ have alternated between not winning (D1, L2) and winning (2) across their last five home league outings, highlighting their discomfort at TQL Stadium.

On the other hand, New York Red Bulls have put together back-to-back single-goal margin wins since a 2-0 downing at Los Angeles to go top of the Eastern Conference. A hard-fought 1-0 victory at Sporting KC on their most recent MLS travel ended New York’s abysmal run of three consecutive away league losses. Inspired by that narrow triumph, the ‘Red Bulls’ will be looking to post their third win in four MLS visits to Cincinnati (W2, L1). Keeping a clean sheet will be paramount, as all three previous top-flight H2Hs here have seen the winner register a shutout.