FC Cincinnati vs New York City FC: Aug. 19 Match Details

Why This Match Matters

The match is particularly important in the Eastern Conference playoff race, with FC Cincinnati entering the match in sixth place with 26 points according to the latest FOX Sports data, while New York City FC are also on 26 points, with their exact position varying by source. The teams' close points totals make this an important matchup in the race for playoff positioning, with the result potentially affecting both teams' positions in the Eastern Conference standings.

The match carries additional significance because it is the teams' second meeting of the 2026 season. Their first meeting ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Yankee Stadium on April 22, 2026, with eight goals scored. The teams also met in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, when New York City FC advanced on penalties after the second leg ended 0-0 after extra time, despite Cincinnati winning the first leg 1-0.

Match Timing & Location

Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Kickoff: 7:30 PM EDT.

Central Time: 6:30 PM (CT).

Pacific Time: 4:30 PM (PT).

Venue: TQL Stadium.

City: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States.

Stadium capacity: 26,000.

Competition: Major League Soccer (MLS).

Coverage: Apple TV.

Head-to-Head Record

FC Cincinnati and New York City FC have met once in the 2026 season before the August 19 match, with the game ending in a 4-4 draw on April 22, 2026, at Yankee Stadium. The teams therefore enter their second meeting of the season with one previous game and one draw between them.

Historical Matchups

The available data gives New York City FC the edge in the all-time series against FC Cincinnati, with NYCFC recording 10 wins compared with 6 for Cincinnati. Sources differ on the number of draws, listing either 3 or 4. Sources also vary on the total goals scored in the series, with Cincinnati credited with between 26 and 30 goals and NYCFC between 37 and 42 goals.

Some of the most notable previous meetings between the teams include:

November 9, 2024: FC Cincinnati 0-0 New York City FC, in the second leg of the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, with NYCFC advancing 6-5 on penalties.

October 28, 2024: FC Cincinnati 1-0 New York City FC, in the first leg of the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

October 2, 2024: New York City FC 3-2 FC Cincinnati, in the regular season.

August 23, 2025: FC Cincinnati 0-1 New York City FC, in the regular season at TQL Stadium.

May 4, 2025: New York City FC 1-0 FC Cincinnati, in the regular season at Citi Field.

March 23, 2024: FC Cincinnati 1-0 New York City FC, in the regular season at TQL Stadium.

August 26, 2023: FC Cincinnati 3-0 New York City FC, in the regular season at TQL Stadium.

May 31, 2023: New York City FC 1-3 FC Cincinnati, in the regular season at Yankee Stadium.

May 10, 2023: FC Cincinnati 1-0 New York City FC, in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.

2021: New York City FC defeated FC Cincinnati 5-0, the largest winning margin in the history of the series.

2019: New York City FC defeated Cincinnati 5-2 and 4-1 during Cincinnati's inaugural MLS season.

Standings Entering the Match

FC Cincinnati: Sixth in the Eastern Conference according to FOX Sports, with 26 points and a record of 7 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, along with a +1 goal difference.

New York City FC: Between fifth and seventh in the Eastern Conference depending on the source, with 26 points and a record of 7 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, along with a +7 goal difference.

Standings context: The teams are very close in points, making the matchup important for playoff positioning and the Eastern Conference standings.

Note: Some standings sources show different exact positions for the two teams because of differences in when the sources were updated and whether results from August 15 through 17 are included.