Get to know who the Red Bulls will be playing in their upcoming matchup with The Other Side:
How They’re Doing
After a historic season for their club, FC Cincinnati are the 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners.
The trophy that the Red Bulls have won three times themselves now becomes Cincinnati’s first MLS trophy in club history.
Cincinnati have done it in style, winning 19 matches and scoring 53 goals along the way. They have also made their home, TQL Stadium, a fortress with a 13-1-1 record. Their only regular season loss at home came in a 1-0 defeat to Orlando on September 2nd.
Luciano Acosta and Brandon Vazquez have been difference-makers in the attack, while Matt Miazga and Person Mosquera have shored up a back line that was shaky in 2022.
FC Cincinnati have followed up their breakout season in 2022 with a trophy, and are now considered one of the favorites to win MLS Cup.
Head-to-Head History
New York and Cincinnati are tied with Cincinnati in its history with a record of 5-5-3.
The two sides met during the U.S. Open Cup in May, in which a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena forced the match into penalty kicks, ultimately giving Cincinnati the win 5-3. Cincinnati then returned to Red Bull arena for a regular season matchup where Omir Fernandez’s goal was cancelled out by two late Cincinnati goals that snatched three points for the visitors.
Cincinnati brought the Red Bulls’ season to an end last year, defeating them in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a 2-1 victory from behind.
Player to Watch- Midfielder Luciano Acosta
The Red Bulls will have to contain one of the most prolific offensive players in the league on Wednesday.
Luciano Acosta has followed up a breakout season in 2022 with an MVP-caliber season in 2023. He has been a catalyst for the Cincinnati attack, which has proven to be one of the best in the league, with 15 goals and ten assists so far this season.
The Rosario, Argentina native was named to the 2023 MLS All-Star squad and will likely be the MLS MVP once the votes are tallied.
A consistent, prolific scorer, Acosta will definitely be one to watch on Wednesday.
