FC Cincinnati dropped a 3-1 result to Orlando City SC Saturday night at TQL Stadium.

With one game remaining before the start of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Orange and Blue are locked into third place in the Eastern Conference at 17-11-5 (56 points). Orlando are in fourth place at 15-11-7 (52 points).

Orlando struck first at the 10-minute mark as Ramiro Enrique found the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Luciano Acosta brought the game level in the final moments of the first half with an extraordinary effort from just outside the Orlando box. Cincinnati’s captain tallied his 14th goal of the season and his second in as many matches after his midweek goal at New York City FC. Teenage Hadebe earned his first assist for the Orange and Blue in the process in his first home start.

Iván Angulo would restore Orlando’s lead in the 66th minute followed by Enrique’s second goal of the evening six minutes later.

FC Cincinnati close the 2024 MLS Regular Season on Saturday, October 19 at Philadelphia Union. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET for the Decision Day match.

The Orange and Blue will host Game 1 of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 Series on a date to-be-determined following Decision Day.

GAME NOTES
– Luciano Acosta recorded his fourth-straight game with a goal contribution, the second-longest streak of the season for FC Cincinnati behind Acosta’s club record nine-game streak from April 6 – May 25.
– There have been seven streaks in club history of four-plus games with a goal contribution … Acosta accounts for six of them.
– Saturday marked Lucho Acosta’s 250th career MLS Regular Season appearance.
– Teenage Hadebe recorded his first assist for FC Cincinnati.

FC Cincinnati ultimately outshot Orlando 17-6 and earned 54 percent possession. But they could not overcome the two second half goals. With the loss, FC Cincinnati finish their home regular season record 7-7-2.

The Orange and Blue must now wait two weeks before their next match as the FIFA International Window opens with MLS Decision Day to follow on Saturday October 19. FC Cincinnati will travel to Philadelphia Union for the final match of the regular season at Subaru Park before kicking off the MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best of 3 series at TQL Stadium.