In the end, FC Cincinnati's 2024 season was reduced to a lottery, and FCC lost. FC Cincinnati was eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs Saturday by New York City FC in an Eastern Conference first-round match at TQL Stadium.

A scoreless deadlock in regulation gave way to a penalty kick shootout, and the sequence served as a worthy showcase for two U.S. men’s national team hopefuls in goal: Matt Freese of NYCFC and Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano.

The MLS Cup Playoffs continue this evening with a trio of decisive third matches from the Eastern Conference, including Atlanta United’s trip to Miami in search of a major upset.Here is what has