FC Cincinnati faces one more match before launching into the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. After spending the last two months struggling on the pitch. FCC will try to get their mojo back this weekend.

Since they were knocked out of the Leagues Cup tournament in August. FC Cincinnati have muddled through regular season play. Losing to Inter Miami 2-0 on August 24th. Then beating Montreal 4-1 on August 31st. FC Cincinnati had a scoreless draw against the Columbus Crew on September 14th.

FC Cincinnati’s most recent win was on September 18th. When the orange and blue beat Minnesota 2-1. From there, FCC endured a 2-2 draw against Nashville SC on the 21st. FC Cincinnati will try to end a three game losing streak this Saturday. In their regular season finale at the Philadelphia Union. Kickoff is set for 6 PM Eastern on Apple TV-MLS Season Pass. Cincinnati radio coverage is available on WSAI-AM (1360) in English. Spanish radio coverage is available on La Mega 101.5 FM.

FCC lost 2-1 at home against LAFC on September 28th. Lost 3-2 at New York City FC on October 2nd. Most recently, FC Cincinnati lost 3-1 hosting Orlando City on October 5th. These results have thrashed FC Cincinnati’s hopes for winning back-to-back MLS Supporters Shields. Though FC Cincinnati formally qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs during this stretch of time.

FC Cincinnati are locked in as the No.3 seed in the Eastern Conference. FCC goes into Saturday with 56 match points. Four points ahead of fourth place Orlando City. FCC would face Charlotte if the playoffs began today. They could potentially face New York City FC or the New York Red Bulls in the best-of-three Eastern quarterfinals.

Inter Miami is the conference’s No.1 seed and this year’s Supporters Shield winners. The Lionel Messi led team goes into Saturday’s “Decision Day” with 71 points. The Columbus Crew are locked into the Eastern Conference’s No.2 seed. Along with having two weeks between games and their three-game losing streak. FC Cincinnati is rallying around one of their own. FCC player Marco Angulo is recovering after being caught up on a car accident in Ecuador earlier this month. 

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Union will try to keep their playoff hopes alive on Saturday. The Union have appeared in the MLS Cup Playoffs every year since 2017. Philadelphia needs to beat FC Cincinnati to have any chance to qualify for the playoffs this year. The Union go into Saturday with 37 points. Three points behind ninth place CF Montreal. Philadelphia are also hoping that Montreal or DC United to lose on Saturday.

DC United also have 40 points going into Saturday. There are five scenarios for Philadelphia to clinch a playoff berth.  All of the scenarios depend on Philadelphia winning. Three of the five depend on Montreal losing to New York City FC. Along with that, three of those five scenarios depend on DC United losing to Charlotte. 

Since Philadelphia concluded their Leagues Cup run in August. The Union have spent the last two months taking one step forward and one back. They resumed MLS regular season play with a 1-0 loss to the Columbus Crew. Followed that up with a 2-0 win against the Red Bulls. In September, Philadelphia lost 3-1 to Inter Miami.

This was followed by a 5-1 loss to New York City FC, a 4-0 win against DC United. Then concluded September with a 1-1 result against Atlanta United. That back and forth pattern is carrying on into October. Philadelphia endured a 2-1 loss to Orlando City on October 2nd. Followed by a 3-2 win against the Columbus Crew on the 5th.

While the stakes of Saturday’s game are different for both teams. Cincinnati and Philadelphia will go into the game with something to prove. FC Cincinnati will strive to conclude their regular season with a confidence boost. As they prepare for a third consecutive playoff run. While Philadelphia strives to qualify for a playoff berth.

Philadelphia’s situation heading into Saturday is quite surprising. Since they are one of the most consistently successful MLS clubs in recent years. With a model that FC Cincinnati built off of. Through wooing head coach Pat Noonan and general manager Chris Albright away from Philadelphia in 2021. That shared history makes Philadelphia vs Cincinnati one of MLS’ most compelling matchups. The stakes heading into this Saturday’s matchup adds to the intrigue.