NYCFC’s season is on the rocks after losing the first game of the MLS playoffs

Yamil Assad scored his first career playoff goal to lead FC Cincinnati to a 1-0 victory over New York City FC in the MLS Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series opener on Monday.

One of the MLS regular season helpers, Luciano Acosta, scored Assad’s goal in the 51st minute, the Argentine’s first goal in three postseason matches. He played for Atlanta United in the 2017 playoffs and DC United in the 2018 playoffs.

Roman Celentano made two saves to keep FC Cincinnati clean in third place in the Eastern Conference, which will try to end its best-of-seven series on Saturday in New York.

The Citizens earned a 3-2 home win over Cincy when the teams met earlier this month after losing 1-0 to FC Cincinnati in March. This time, New York FC will have to win at home without Tyvon Gray, who was sent off in second-half stoppage time for raising his hand to Acosta.

Matt Freese made five saves for sixth-seeded New York City, which was more or less playing with the hosts before the break but was mostly on the defensive afterward.

Cincinnati increased their attacking prowess early in the second half, with Luca Orellano seeing his shot deflected off the near post in the 49th minute before Assad put the hosts ahead in the 51st.

Orellano helped create the chance with a pass that freed Yuya Kubo for the first shot from the baseline on the right side of the penalty area.

Kubo sent a shot wide of the far post from a tight angle. Acosta caught up with him and with his first touch sent a cross to Assad, who headed it across the line from 4 yards just in front of goal.

Shortly after, FC Cincinnati teenager Hadebe missed an exceptional chance to double the lead with an ill-timed volley over the crossbar.

City’s best chance to equalize came in the 63rd minute when Celentano’s strong hands saved Andres Perea’s shot on the stroke of half-time.

Cincinnati looked like the team most likely to score a second goal. Hadebe’s 73rd-minute header forced Freese into his best save of the evening and Nicholas Gioacchini fired wide after taking another chance created by Acosta in second-half stoppage time.