FC Cincinnati is entering their most important stretch of the season.

Sitting atop the Eastern Conference (16-7-4, 52 points), Cincinnati is also tied for the lead in the Supporters' Shield race with San Diego heading into Saturday's home match with New York City FC.

This is the team's first of three consecutive home matches against Eastern Conference teams currently in playoff position.

Cincinnati is coming off a hard-fought 3-2 win at Portland Saturday night, with All-Star midfielder Evander scoring his 16th goal in MLS regular-season play. It was also his first game in Portland since the club traded him to Cincinnati this past offseason.

"It's good pressure," Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said. "There are so many strong teams that are pushing for a Supporters' Shield. The margins

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