FC Cincinnati edge Nashville SC, earn playoff berth

Evander scored deep into second-half stoppage time as FC Cincinnati pulled out a 2-1 victory against visiting Nashville SC on Saturday night, clinching a playoff berth and ending a two-match losing streak.

Ender Echenique, who was a second-half substitute, assisted on Evander's winning goal. Evander has 17 goals, though this was his first in three matches.

Brenner celebrated his recent return to the team by scoring the match's first goal, set up for a charge into the box by Evander's pass. Brenner hadn't played with Cincinnati since 2023.

His goal began a busy stretch of scoring and seemed to spark Cincinnati (17-9-4, 55 points), which didn't score in its previous two matches, in the 73rd minute. Evan Louro made four saves.

Nashville (15-10-5, 50 points) pulled even in the 84th minute on Sam Surridge's goal. Still, Nashville lost for the fifth time in its last six matches despite Joe Willis' four saves.

In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Evander drilled a right-footed shot from the center of the box to the top right corner.

Brenner scored 18 goals for Cincinnati in 2022 as he developed into a fan favorite.

Cincinnati defeated Nashville on March 29, also by a 2-1 score.