Philadelphia striker Bruno Damiani’s header in the 49th minute broke a scoreless tie as the Union beat host FC Cincinnati 1-0 on Saturday and clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Philadelphia (17-6-6, 57 points) now has a five-point lead over Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference and a four-point lead in the Supporters’ Shield race. It also has a regular-season sweep over Cincinnati.

After a scoreless first half, the Union got on the board when Damiani headed a cross from Milan Iloski into the bottom right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

It was Damiani’s fifth goal in MLS regular-season competition, which is second-most on the club to Tai Baribo’s 16.

FC Cincinnati had a great opportunity to tie the match in the 60th minute when All-Star midfielder Evander drew a red card on Union center back Olwethu Makhanya. Evander’s ensuing free kick missed, and Cincinnati couldn’t convert on two rebounded headers.

Cincinnati had other chances in the second half to net the equalizer, but it could not find the net.

With the defeat, Cincinnati (16-9-4, 52 points) has now lost three straight home matches in MLS competition. Worse, it has been shut out in those home contests, and its last two losses have given its Eastern Conference opponents, New York City FC and Philadelphia, regular-season sweeps over it.

Overall, FC Cincinnati has been shut out in four of their last five regular-season matches and have a 1-3-1 record in that stretch. Losses to Charlotte, New York City FC and Philadelphia have put them further behind the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick stood strong in goal with five saves, while Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano, recently called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team, made three saves.

FC Cincinnati is off till Sept. 13 when they host Nashville SC. Philadelphia is at Vancouver on Sept. 13 before its U.S. Open Cup semifinal match at Nashville.

–Field Level Media