FC Cincinnati Falls to Nashville, Faces Orlando
Cincinnati finished ninth in the Eastern Conference after a 2-0 defeat on the final day of the regular season.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Soccer
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FC Cincinnati lost 2-0 to Nashville SC on Decision Day, with Sam Surridge scoring both goals. The result dropped Cincinnati from seventh to ninth in the Eastern Conference and sends the club to a wild-card game against Orlando City on November 19.
Why it matters
The loss ends Cincinnati's regular season at 46 points with a 12-12-10 record and forces a playoff path that begins on the road in Florida. Cincinnati's postseason depends on winning the wild-card match before facing Nashville in a best-of-three first-round series.
Sam Surridge ended the regular season with 21 goals, scoring both of Nashville's goals in the 2-0 win over Cincinnati. Orlando City beat New England 1-0 and Columbus beat Chicago 4-3 on the same final day, shaping the wild-card field.
The players
FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati is a Major League Soccer club based in Cincinnati, Ohio, playing its home matches at TQL Stadium.
Nashville SC
Nashville SC is a Major League Soccer club based in Nashville, Tennessee, that won its regular-season finale against Cincinnati.
Sam Surridge
Sam Surridge is an English striker who scored both goals for Nashville SC in the 2-0 win over Cincinnati and finished the regular season with 21 goals.
Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC is a Major League Soccer club based in Orlando, Florida, and is Cincinnati's opponent in the wild-card game.
The details
Nashville SC beat FC Cincinnati 2-0 on Decision Day, with Surridge scoring both goals. Cincinnati's playoff position was decided by results across the conference, including Orlando City's 1-0 win over New England and Columbus's 4-3 comeback win over Chicago.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: Regular season ends on Decision Day with Cincinnati's loss to Nashville.
November 19, 2026: Cincinnati plays Orlando City in a wild-card game in Florida.
November 20-24, 2026: Nashville hosts Game 1 of the first-round series.
November 27 or 28, 2026: Cincinnati hosts Game 2 at TQL Stadium if it advances.
December 1 or 2, 2026: Nashville hosts Game 3 if necessary.
Season Trajectory
Cincinnati's ninth-place finish places it in the Eastern Conference wild-card round under Major League Soccer's playoff format. The club must win a road match in Florida before facing Nashville in a best-of-three first-round series.
A Cincinnati win on November 19 keeps the club alive for a best-of-three series against Nashville, with Game 2 at TQL Stadium on November 27 or 28. A loss ends the season, so fantasy and season-ticket planning hinge on the wild-card result.
The takeaway
Cincinnati's season now turns on a single road match, and the club's playoff hopes depend on a wild-card win in Florida. Fans should watch for the league's kickoff announcement to plan for either a home second-round game or the end of the season.
What happens next
Kickoff dates and times for the wild-card game and first-round series are expected from the league within two days.
Further reading
Follow the latest in Soccer coverage for more on the playoff race.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cincinnati.
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