Paddy Barrett and Richie Ryan help FC Cincinnati to a first-ever USL semi-final

Former Dundalk defender Paddy Barrett started and ex-Sligo Rovers midfielder Richie Ryan was a used substitute as Cincinnati advance to the USL Eastern Conference semi-final for the first time.

Waterford native Barrett captained the home side while Kilkenny's Ryan was introduced in the tenth minute of extra time as he continues his recovery from a stress fracture obtained in June.

They will face the winners of Charleston Battery and New York Red Bull reserves for a place in the final, where they could face Bethlehem Steel, captained by ex-PFAI Player of the Year James Chambers.

The Blue and Orange were made to sweat for their victory as they prevailed 6-5 in sudden death penalties following a 1-1 draw with Nashville after extra time.

Corben Bone had shot the Ohio side in front in the first period of extra time before a deflected effort from Bradley Bourgeois tied things up six minutes from time.

Both sides scored their five regulation penalties and it went down to sudden death and Justin Davis was first to blink for Nashville, skying his penalty, allowing Kenney Davis to seal the win.

Barrett joined the USL club from Dundalk following the conclusion of the 2017 Premier Division season while Ryan joined in February from Miami FC.