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FC Cincinnati is playoff-bound, but the road just got tougher

Casey Weldon

FC Cincinnati's Kévin Denkey reacts after a missed shot during the first half of a match against the Nashville SC at TQL Stadium on Nov. 7, 2026 in Cincinnati. Photo: Tanner Pearson/Getty Images

FC Cincinnati stumbled down the stretch, but still managed to clinch its fifth straight MLS Cup Playoffs berth.

Yes, but: The team will have to take the long way if it wants to bring home postseason hardware.

Driving the news: No. 9 FCC faces No. 8 Orlando City SC in Florida on Nov. 19.

The 7:30pm wild card match will stream on Apple TV.

State of play: Cincinnati could've avoided the wild card round with a win at home Saturday, but fell 2-0 to Nashville SC in the regular season finale.

By the numbers: The Orange and Blue went unbeaten against Orlando this season, winning 6-2 in May and drawing 1-1 in August. FCC seems mostly healthy headed into the win-or-go-home matchup.

What's next: Beat Orlando, and Cincinnati gets another crack at top-seeded Nashville in a best-of-three series.

FCC would host Game 2, with tickets already on sale.

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FC Cincinnati is playoff-bound, but the road just got tougher

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