FC Cincinnati secures 3rd seed in Eastern Conference after defeating Philadelphia Union

Yamil Asad was able to score a crucial goal as Cincinnati secured the third seed in the MLS Cup playoffs with a record of 18-11-5 and 59 points. This victory ended their three-match losing streak and also guaranteed them a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cincinnati's next challenge will be facing off against New York City FC, who are the sixth seed, in the first round of the playoffs.

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.

--Field Level Media