Cincinnati 2-1 New York City: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings
MLS · Wednesday 19 August 2026 · TQL Stadium · referee F. Bazakos · full time
Full time: Cincinnati 2-1 New York City
Cincinnati won 2-1 at home to New York City in MLS on Wednesday 19 August 2026. The goals: Kenji Mboma Dem 11', Luighi 21', Evander 90+1'.
How Cincinnati won it
The opening goal came in the 11th minute: Kenji Mboma Dem for Cincinnati, set up by Kévin Denkey. New York City levelled at 1-1 in the 21st minute through Luighi, set up by Agustín Ojeda. Evander made it 2-1 to Cincinnati in the 90th minute (+1), set up by Gerardo Valenzuela.
It was 1-1 at half-time, and the second half changed the result.
The referee, F. Bazakos, showed 6 yellow cards: 3 to Cincinnati and 3 to New York City.
Cincinnati: P. Noonan, 3-5-2 · New York City: P. Jansen, 4-2-3-1.
Moneyball's prediction against the result
Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.
Why it went this way
On the day the expected goals were 1.52 for Cincinnati and 1.19 for New York City.
Cincinnati had 6 shots on target, New York City 8.
Cincinnati's goalkeeper made 7 saves.
Cincinnati had 56% of the ball and turned it into the win.
Where the two sides stood before this match
Cincinnati came into it with 31 MLS matches played, scoring 2.1 and conceding 2.3 a match, with 1.81 expected goals for and 1.61 against, and had won 35% of their matches.
New York City came into it with 31 MLS matches played, scoring 1.4 and conceding 1.4 a match, with 1.51 expected goals for and 1.43 against, and had won 26% of their matches.
Cincinnati vs New York City: the match in numbers
| Cincinnati | Match statistics | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| 56% | Ball possession | 44% |
| 1.52 | Expected goals (xG) | 1.19 |
| 14 | Total shots | 16 |
| 6 | Shots on target | 8 |
| 3 | Big chances | 3 |
| 545 | Total passes | 419 |
| 88% | Pass accuracy | 84% |
| 2 | Corners | 5 |
| 10 | Fouls | 9 |
| 1 | Offsides | 0 |
| 16 | Tackles | 12 |
| 7 | Saves | 4 |
| 3 | Yellow cards | 3 |
Team statistics from Sportmonks.
Player ratings and man of the match
Man of the match: Evander (Cincinnati), rated 8.3 by Sportmonks, with 1 goal.
Cincinnati
- Evander 8.3 1 goal
- Kenji Mboma Dem 8.1 1 goal
- Roman Celentano 8.1
- Gerardo Valenzuela 7.6 1 assist
- Pavel Bucha 7.2
New York City
- Nicolás Fernández Mercau 7.5
- Agustín Ojeda 7.2 1 assist
- Talles Magno 7.2
- Luighi 7.0 1 goal
- Jonathan Shore 6.8
The lowest-rated starter was Bénie Traoré at 6.4. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.
What comes next
- Cincinnati: Inter Miami vs Cincinnati Wednesday 28 October 2026 · MLS
- New York City: New York City vs Atlanta United Wednesday 28 October 2026 · MLS
Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.
Questions about Cincinnati vs New York City
What was the score in Cincinnati vs New York City?
Cincinnati 2-1 New York City (half-time 1-1), MLS, Wednesday 19 August 2026.
Who scored in Cincinnati vs New York City?
Kenji Mboma Dem 11', Luighi 21', Evander 90+1'.
Did Moneyball predict Cincinnati vs New York City correctly?
Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.
Who was man of the match in Cincinnati vs New York City?
Evander, rated 8.3 by Sportmonks.
Who refereed Cincinnati vs New York City?
F. Bazakos.
Every match, before and after
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