FC Cincinnati Out Of Playoff Picture | Worst Loss Yet? Jose Martinez Signing? + Intl. Break Updates

FC Cincinnati are out of a playoff position after a brutal 3-1 loss to CF Montréal, and Sam and Ryan break down what could be the worst loss of the 2026 season. Montréal entered the match with 13 players unavailable, while FCC were missing six. Montréal had even asked MLS to postpone the match because of its international absences, but the league declined. Despite all of that, FC Cincinnati still found a way to lose.

FCC had won four straight against Montréal and had a massive opportunity to pick up points in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Instead, Daniel Ríos gave Montréal the lead in the first half after Teenage Hadebe's attempted clearance fell to him. FCC nearly equalized when Ayoub Jabbari's shot caused chaos in the box and the ball fell to Evander with an essentially open goal, but the captain sent his attempt over the crossbar.

After sustained pressure in the second half, FCC finally found the equalizer. Evander played Dado Valenzuela into space, and Dado's low cross found Tom Barlow at the back post for a 1-1 finish. Just minutes later, Kenji Mboma Dem nearly put FCC ahead when his header hit the post.

Then everything unraveled.

A back pass to Roman Celentano turned into a disaster. Celentano's second touch went wrong, Prince Owusu attacked the loose ball and Celentano brought him down for a penalty. Owusu converted to make it 2-1, then scored again just three minutes later after Nick Hagglund couldn't clear a ball over the top. Montréal went from nearly losing the lead to winning 3-1.

The loss drops FC Cincinnati to 10th in the Eastern Conference with 33 points, tied with the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC. FCC is now outside the playoff places, although the club still has a game in hand.

Sam and Ryan discuss why Montréal was there for the taking, how FCC once again got in its own way, and whether this was the worst loss of the season. We also dive into the continued defensive problems. FC Cincinnati have conceded 64 goals through 26 matches, dead last in MLS at 2.4 goals conceded per match. FCC is on pace to allow 83 goals this season after conceding 49 in 2025.

Where does a team with this much attacking talent go from here when its defense has statistically been the worst in MLS?

We also discuss Evander's recent struggles. The August Player of the Month has gone four matches without a goal contribution after missing the Charlotte match through yellow-card accumulation. With Evander also serving as captain, what does FCC need from its biggest attacking player during the final stretch of the season?

Pat Noonan's post-match comments are another major topic. Noonan said FCC were "not good enough to overlook anybody" and pointed to a lack of energy, urgency, confidence and belief. He said the team "didn't look like a team that understood the moment" and questioned how the group will "dig ourselves out of it." Noonan also said it isn't a talent issue and that the team needs to find ways to "bring life and shake things up."

We revisit Noonan's pre-match comments about whether this stretch should be considered must-win territory. With FCC now outside the playoff picture, what does the club need to do during the final matches of the regular season?

Plus, the latest FC Cincinnati news surrounding Venezuelan midfielder José Martínez. Tom Bogert reported that Martínez is currently training with FCC while finishing his recovery from a torn ACL. He is not currently signed, but could potentially become an option in the future. The 32-year-old most recently played for Corinthians after starring for the Philadelphia Union. FCC already has Obinna Nwobodo and Samuel Gidi at the No. 6 position, so what could Martínez bring to this team if healthy?

We also have a full FC Cincinnati international break update.

Miles Robinson is with the USMNT after being included in the 18 for the 4-1 win over Peru but not featuring. Kevin Denkey is with Togo for AFCON qualifying after starting in a 1-0 win over Burundi. Pavel Bucha is with Czechia after its 2-1 loss to Croatia. Ender Echenique has been called up by Venezuela. Samuel Gidi is with Slovakia U21 for Euro qualifying, Andrei Chirila is with the U.S. U19s in Spain, and Connor Dale is with the U.S. U17s preparing for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup.

We also get into Cards of the Week, Jersey Swap of the Week, Trivia Question of the Week and more FC Cincinnati news.