Will the Columbus Crew be in hell on Saturday night? Maybe if that’s your opinion of Cincinnati!
Jokes aside, Hell is Real is back on Saturday night when the Columbus Crew, the defending league champions and Leagues Cup champions, travel south to face FC Cincinnati in the league’s most fiery derby.
Numbers to Know
3 – The Columbus Crew have won three trophies since the Black & Gold kicked off a match down in Cincinnati. Last November, the Crew beat FCC, 3-2, in extra time of the Eastern Conference Final. Yes, that was a splendid location for a trophy ceremony. Of course, the MLS Cup came a week later at Lower.com Field, followed by recently hoisting the Leagues Cup. Let the good times roll. Columbus sits third in the current Eastern Conference standings, but the visitors can leapfrog Cincinnati on Saturday night with a win (FCC has a two-point lead but has played one more match).
9 – Back from international duty with Colombia, Cucho Hernández is having an MLS MVP-caliber season. Through 20 league appearances, Cucho has 13 goals and 10 assists. All told in MLS regular-season action, the striker has 38 goals and 24 assists since arriving in the Ohio capital in 2022. He scored the game-winning goal in the Leagues Cup Final and he’s registered a goal or an assist in his last seven Crew appearances across all competitions. Considering Cincinnati has a makeshift backline on Saturday night, hell should be real for the FCC faithful.
2 – As mentioned above, Cincinnati sits second in the Eastern Conference. Last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners have had another strong regular-season campaign in 2024, albeit their time in Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup was cut short. The Orange & Blue enter this match with a wobbly backline. Center backs Matt Miazga and Nick Hagglund are out with injuries, and Miles Robinson and Ian Murphy are suspended due to yellow-card accumulation. Cucho, Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez and company should be licking their lips.
10 – Lucho Acosta isn’t at 100% entering this match, but he was the league MVP last year and continues to dazzle when he features. In 25 appearances this season, he has 11 goals and 18 assists. In 2023, he had 17 goals and 14 assists. In 2022, it was 10 goals and 19 assists. The point is as Lucho goes, so goes Cincinnati. However, he hasn’t played a full 90 minutes since July 13 – two months ago.
When They Last Met
Columbus lost, 2-1, when the rivals last clashed on May 11 at Lower.com Field. Max Arfsten scored for the Crew, but only after Acosta and Kelsy put Cincinnati in front. However, it was a different story in the last meeting at TQL Stadium. Last November, the Black & Gold won the Eastern Conference Final on enemy soul, 3-2, thanks to a stirring comeback. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, an own goal and Diego Rossi equalizer sent the match to extra time. From there, Christian Ramirez scored the game winner in the 115th minute to send the Crew through to MLS Cup.
Match Overview
Who: Columbus Crew at FC Cincinnati
When: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: TQL Stadium
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app
How to Listen: La Grande 102.5 FM | Alt 105.7 FM | iHeart Radio app
