Cincinnati stays red-hot with 3-1 victory over NYCFC

NEW YORK — Luciano Acosta scored a first-half goal, Brandon Vazquez scored on a late penalty kick and FC Cincinnati extended the best start in club history with a 3-1 victory over New York City FC on Wednesday night.

Cincinnati (11-1-3) posted a 1-0 win in U.S. Open Cup play on May 10 for its first victory over NYCFC after losing the first six meetings. Cincinnati became the fifth team in league history to amass 33 points through its first 14 matches — all four of the others went on to win the Supporter’s Shield.

Acosta gave Cincinnati the lead in the 38th minute, using assists from Dominique Badji and Álvaro Barreal to score his sixth goal this season.

Barreal stretched the lead to 2-0 with his second goal of the campaign, scoring unassisted in the 59th minute.

Braian Cufré got NYCFC (4-7-4) on the scoreboard in the 64th minute, using an assist from Alfredo Morales to score his first goal.

Vazquez picked up his fourth goal of the season on a PK in the 70th minute to complete the scoring.

Roman Celantano saved five shots for Cincinnati.

Matt Freese debuted for NYCFC and had two saves in his first start since 2021 while playing for the Philadelphia Union. Freese allowed 15 goals in 13 appearances — 12 starts — in four seasons with the Union.

Cincinnati’s first nine wins this season were by one goal, but the last two have been won by multiple goals.

NYCFC has lost two straight at home after the Philadelphia Union ended the club’s 10-match unbeaten run with a 3-1 win in the previous match.

Cincinnati returns home to host the Chicago Fire on Saturday. NYCFC is idle.