Another surprise in Group E as FC Cincinnati eliminate Red Bulls

FC Cincinnati clinched a place in the round of 16 of the MLS is Back Tournament with a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.

Powered by Yuya Kubo's opportunistic finish at the stroke of halftime and Florian Valot's own goal, Cincinnati stole second place in Group E from the Red Bulls and eliminated them from contention.

The Red Bulls can't advance as one of the best third-place finishers due to their inferior record. They managed just three points and a minus-three goal differential in the group stage.

Kubo scored the game-winning goal in the 43rd minute when he pounced on a poor clearance attempt and fired a shot into the bottom corner. RBNY midfielder Valot then headed in Cincinnati's corner kick to give Jaap Stam's side an unassailable lead.

The Red Bulls attempted 19 shots in total but only four of them hit the target.

Cincinnati will face either the Portland Timbers or Los Angeles FC on July 28.