For a rivalry that has been superheated in recent times, even the lukewarm matches have significance.
FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew reignited the “Hell Is Real” derby at TQL Stadium on Saturday night with more than just bragging rights on the line. The winner would likely be the only challenger left for a streaking Inter Miami to overcome for the #1 seed in the East.
Instead, the battle for Ohio ran to a stalemate, as both teams were unable to crack the defense in a 0-0 draw.
FC Cincinnati (16-4-8, 52 pts.) came into this latest derby with an extra week to recuperate. Their last match—a 4-1 win over CF Montreal—brought energy back into the squad, emboldened by a Luca Orellano brace. That match was the first MLS regular season win without captain Luciano Acosta, who was still recovering from a toe injury.
Much to fans’ delight, the two weeks off brought Lucho back to a healthy form. Acosta returned to the lineup with some added firepower on the bench. Defender Teenage Hadebe joined the squad for his first game after his transfer, while left back Yamil Asad returned from a knee injury.
While Cincinnati trotted out Miles Robinson, Ian Murphy and Matt Miazga back in May, all three were missing from the Starting XI. Both Robinson and Murphy served yellow-card suspensions for the day, replaced by DeAndre Yedlin and Alvas Powell on the back line.
Columbus (14-8-5, 50 pts.) hit a bump in the path against Seattle last weekend, strained by both the international break and the MLS rulebook. A late first-half red card to goalkeeper Abraham Romero forced the Crew to play with ten men and with midfielder Sean Zawadski in goal. The second half became a dustball of a match for Columbus, who lost 4-0 at home.
Fortunately for Columbus, their four missing starters returned from the break. Cucho Hernandez, Steven Moreira, Patrick Schulte and Mo Farsi rejoined the starting lineup, bringing the Crew back to full capacity.
While the result was muted, the game still had that of a supercharged rivalry. The traditional sword was drawn by fan-favorite Manu Ledesma, and the Bailey unfurled a coordinated tifo with a demon-winged lion chasing after the Columbus Crew cat, claiming that they’ll “never leave Cin-City.”
For much of the first half, both teams were content to engage only when the opportunity called for it. Columbus dictated more of the dangerous chances with an xG of 0.81 to Cincinnati’s 0.08, while Cincinnati owned a majority of the possession (54-46).
Columbus had the bigger opportunity in the 18th minute. Cucho played an opposite-footed pass into the box for Christian Ramirez. The U.S. striker saw his one-on-one opportunity splayed away from a wide stretch by Roman Celentano.
FC Cincinnati’s only shot on goal in the first half came from Orellano aiming a screened shot at Schulte in the 34th minute. The Columbus goalkeeper squeezed the shot and kept the match scoreless by the break.
While the Crew clawed back more of the possession in the second half and outshot FC Cincinnati 11-7, the Orange & Blue almost broke through in the 52nd minute. A steal by Lucho on the edge of the box led to a hesitant shot by Kevin Kelsy, only for defender Rudy Camacho to clear the ball off the line.
With the match winding down, Celentano kept Cincinnati alive with the last of his three saves. The goalkeeper posted a fabulous reaction save on a tap-in by Jacen Russell-Rowe in the 85th minute to preserve the clean sheet.
The draw allowed both teams to clinch the MLS Cup playoffs, Cincinnati doing so for the third straight season. While Columbus still has a game in hand, Cincinnati enjoys a two-point lead against the Crew for second place in the East. Miami’s win over Philadelphia extends their lead to ten points over the Orange & Blue.
“Very pleased with it,” Pat Noonan said after the match. “It’s hard to (make the playoffs), and we strive for consistency, and consistency for our group and our expectations is to be a playoff team and then be a top seed and be playing games at home in the playoffs. We’ve accomplished the first goal with becoming a playoff team, and now it’s a matter of how we close out the season to win games and stay in the position we’re in.
Despite clinching the playoffs, the consensus was that it was still two points lost.
“I’m a bit mad,” Acosta admitted through his interpreter after the match. “It wasn’t the result we wanted, but we qualified for the playoffs again. That was a goal we had for this year, so I’m happy for that. The focus shifts quickly to Wednesday.”
Celentano was content to qualify for the playoffs on his 24th birthday but understood the team’s goals.
“It’s nice to shoot as high as we can go (for the playoffs). We’re not celebrating, it’s just a reflection of the state of the club. We’re expected to make the playoffs and challenge for the top spots.”
Cincinnati and Columbus have little time this week to rest and recollect their bearings. The Orange & Blue take a pit stop in St. Paul against Minnesota United FC on Wednesday, while the Crew retreat to Canada for a match against Toronto FC.
Match #28 – FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Attendance: 25,513
Result: FC Cincinnati 0, Columbus Crew 0
BOX SCORE
FC Cincinnati Starting XI (3-4-1-2):
Roman Celentano (GK); DeAndre Yedlin, Chidozie Awaziem, Alvas Powell; Luca Orellano (Yamil Asad 84′), Obinna Nwobodo, Pavel Bucha, Yuya Kubo (London Aghedo 90+4′); Luciano Acosta (c) (Gerardo Valenzuela 90+4′); Kevin Kelsy (Sergio Santos 71′), Nicholas Gioacchini (Corey Baird 90+5′).
Bench: Evan Louro, Kipp Keller, Teenage Hadebe, Malik Pinto.
Columbus Crew Starting XI (3-4-2-1):
Patrick Schulte (GK); Steven Moreira, Rudy Camacho, Sean Zawadski; Mohamed Farsi (Andres Herrera 87′), Alexandru Matan (Malte Amundsen 82′, Darlington Nagbe (c), Max Arfsten (DeJuan Jones 82′); Christian Ramirez (Jacen Russell-Rowe 83′), Diego Rossi; Cucho Hernandez.
Bench: Nicholas Hagen, Derrick Jones, Dylan Chambost, Aziel Jackson, Yaw Yeboah.
Scoring Summary:
None
Discipline:
YC – Cucho Hernandez 68’ (CLB, dissent)
YC – Chidozie Awaziem 78′ (CIN, foul)
YC – Obinna Nwobodo 88′ (CIN, foul)
Next up:
at Minnesota United FC, 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 18th, Allianz Field (St. Paul, MN)
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