Cincinnati looks to keep its historic run going as it hosts New York City FC on Saturday night at TQL Stadium. Over three seasons starting in 2023, the club has piled up 54 wins, tied for the most in a three-year span in MLS history with LAFC (2022-24) and Atlanta United (2017-19). If Cincinnati can win on Matchday 30, they would become the first MLS team to reach 55 victories across three seasons. The 7:30 p.m. ET matchup will be broadcast on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Under head coach Pat Noonan and general manager Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati has flipped from an uneven expansion era to a perennial title contender. Their 2–1 win over Portland on Matchday 29 pushed the Orange and Blue into a tie atop the Supporters’ Shield standings with San Diego FC at 52 points, as they chase a second Shield in three years.
Next up for Cincinnati is a key home test against a NYCFC side that also sits among the league’s best this season, a clash that should offer a clear read on where Cincinnati stands as the title race unfolds.
Meanwhile, another MLS storyline is shaping up in Orlando City SC, where Martín Ojeda is pursuing one of the league’s most storied goal-contribution runs. Ojeda picked up an assist against Sporting Kansas City last Saturday, tying Sebastian Giovinco’s 12-game goal-contribution streak from 2018 for the second-longest in MLS history, and he sits just three behind Josef Martínez’s record set in 2019.
The Argentine midfielder already has 14 goals and 14 assists in 2025 and could become the eighth player in MLS history to post a 15-goal, 15-assist season. Four of the seven players who have reached the 15-15 mark went on to win MLS MVP that same year, underscoring Ojeda’s strong MVP case as he continues this electrifying streak. His next test comes in a top Eastern Conference showdown at Nashville SC on Saturday night, 8:30 p.m. ET, with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
What to watch
– Cincinnati’s bid for a historical 55-win three-year window hinges on consistency at home against a NYCFC squad that has been highly competitive this season.
– Ojeda’s 15-15 pursuit could redefine his MVP case and add another layer of drama to Orlando’s season as they chase silverware and bragging rights in the East.
Editor’s note
– Both stories highlight MLS’s depth and competitiveness this season, with title races shaping up on multiple fronts. A potential milestone night in Cincinnati and a historic individual run in Orlando illustrate the league’s blend of team-first pursuits and personal milestones.
Overall outlook
– The coming weekend looks like a pivotal one for both clubs: Cincinnati aiming to stamp its place in MLS history, and Ojeda chasing a figurehead season that could elevate him among the league’s all-time greats. The optimism surrounding both clubs is well warranted, given the quality and consistency they’ve shown across the year.