FC Cincinnati defender Yerson Mosquera scored a stoppage-time winner to send his club through to the MLS Eastern Conference Finals.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In the 94th minute of the match, the Colombian defender found himself in the perfect place at the perfect time, tapping home down the middle of the net after a bit of pinball around the box. It came off a driven Cincy attack, with Philadelphia sitting back and absorbing the press from the Orange and Blue. It wasn’t USMNT striker Brandon Vazquez or even MVP favorite Lucho Acosta – it was Mosquera, who scored only his third goal of the season.
MOSQUERA’S MOMENT
Yerson Mosquera puts Cincinnati in front at the death!#AllForCincy // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/JrG7L7pB8m
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 26, 2023
THE BIGGER PICTURE
FCC are on to the Eastern Conference finals for the first-time ever in their cub history, with the Orange and Blue continuing their historic campaign. After winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield, the No. 1 overall seed advanced via a 1-0 victory over the union through their defender, who scored his first of the postseason. Pat Noonan’s squad are now just one win away from a berth in 2023 MLS Cup.
WHAT NEXT FOR FC CINCINNATI?
Lucho Acosta and co. will now have a date with the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference finals on December 2. The match will see the winner advance to MLS Cup and the loser header home, in a single-match format wit both extra-time and penalties alive. The Crew, who won MLS Cup in 2021, will look to spoil the party as the Hell is Real derby takes center-stage in the Eastern Conference finals.
