CINCINNATI — FC Cincinnati returns to TQL Stadium Wednesday night with a chance to improve its playoff position and put Sunday's frustrating loss to Columbus behind it.

The Orange and Blue host D.C. United at 7 p.m. ET in a match originally scheduled for September 5 before heavy rain left the field unsafe for play.

Cincinnati enters the match ninth in the Eastern Conference with 36 points, holding the final playoff position with five games remaining. The club also has a game in hand on the rest of the league, giving Wednesday's matchup additional importance.

After controlling much of Sunday's match against the Crew but losing 2-0, Cincinnati needs to turn another strong performance into three points.

Cincinnati Needs to Finish Its Chances

FC Cincinnati outshot Columbus 24-4 on Sunday and controlled more than 66% of possession, but couldn't find a way past goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.

The inability to score was maddening because Cincinnati has produced plenty of offense this season, setting a club record with 83 goals across all competitions.  Yet, when they needed to put the ball in the net against their biggest rival, nothing was to be found.

Kévin Denkey has been one of the team's most productive attackers. He has scored 17 MLS goals this season and 21 across all competitions, including six in his last five appearances.

Those totals put Denkey within one goal of tying two club records: 18 goals in a single MLS regular season and 22 goals across all competitions. Another strong performance from Denkey could make the difference against D.C., but Cincinnati also needs better finishing from the rest of its attack.

Head coach Pat Noonan has emphasized the need to turn opportunities into results rather than make wholesale tactical changes. The chances have been there. The goals, at least against Columbus, haven't followed.

D.C. United Still Has Something to Play For

D.C. United comes to Cincinnati with a 7-10-12 record and 33 points after losing 4-1 to Orlando City on Saturday. United remains within reach of the playoff positions, and the club has shown an ability to pick up points even when it hasn't been winning consistently.

D.C. has drawn 12 matches this season, the most in MLS, and has earned points in nine of its 14 road games. Forward Tai Baribo remains the team's primary offensive threat. He has scored 16 league goals this season, including D.C.'s only goal against Orlando, which came on a penalty kick.

That could present a problem for Cincinnati, which needs a win rather than another frustrating result.

The Orange and Blue have also struggled historically against D.C., winning just four of the clubs' previous 14 regular-season meetings. Cincinnati has beaten United only once at home, making Wednesday an opportunity to improve a disappointing record.

Two Matches, Four Days

Wednesday begins an unusual stretch in which Cincinnati and D.C. United will face each other twice in four days. The teams meet again Saturday in Washington. Those six available points could have a major impact on the Eastern Conference playoff race.

For Cincinnati, the immediate goal is simple: create the same opportunities it did against Columbus, but do a better job converting them. The Orange and Blue have shown they can score plenty of goals this season. With the playoffs approaching, Wednesday would be a good time to show it again.

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