NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It wasn't the ending they hoped for, but Corben Bone made sure FC Cincinnati would go into the playoffs on a record-breaking note Saturday.
Bone marked his 100th game with FC Cincinnati by scoring two second-half goals and Nazmi Albadawi also scored in a 3-3 tie with Nashville SC that broke the United Soccer League record for the longest unbeaten streak.
As luck would have it, FC Cincinnati (23-3-8), the regular-season USL champion, will host Nashville (12-9-13), the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed, in the playoff opener on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. at Nippert Stadium. Buy tickets a fccincinnati.com/2018-playoffs or by calling 513-977-KICK (5425).
FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC have fought to three draws this season. The others were 0-0 on July 7 and 1-1 on Aug. 4.
Tough result to digest tonight. Proud of the lads for showing the character to fight for the entire 90. Plenty of things to take away heading into next week. We’ll learn from this and be ready to go come Saturday.
— Forrest Lasso (@folasso) October 14, 2018
Bone, one of the original Orange and Blue players, broke a 2-2 tie in the 81st minute Saturday with his second goal and 11th of the season. But FC Cincinnati wasn't able to hold the lead when Akinyode answered for Nashville in the 90th minute.
Bone's first goal tied the game 1-1 in the 52nd minute. Albadawi's goal in the 63rd minute gave FC Cincinnati a 2-1 lead.
FC Cincinnati has gone 23 games (17-0-6) since its last loss - a 2-0 decision to Louisville City FC on May 26. Until Saturday, FC Cincinnati had shared the league record of 22 unbeaten games with the 2012 Richmond Kickers.
FC Cincinnati lost in the first playoff game the past two years, so they're looking for redemption - and another trophy.
Justin Hoyte on Twitter https://t.co/v4gdHYwNLT
— Justin Hoyte (@justinhoyte84) October 14, 2018
