Separated by only 107 miles, FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew enjoy a spirited rivalry. The “Hell is Real” derby gains its moniker from a sign that sits along I-71 between Cincinnati and Columbus. Ever since the first rendition of the “Hell is Real” derby during the 2017 U.S. Open Cup, the rivalry between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew has proven itself to be one of the most exhilarating and intense derbies not only in America, but in the soccer world as a whole. From that first match on, there have been many top class fixtures between these teams, including the 2023 Eastern Conference Final
The first of this year’s clashes finds the Orange and Blue sitting atop the Eastern Conference table, with The Crew sitting third, well within striking distance. As is typically the case in these matchups, this game will come down to which side blinks first. In last season’s away fixture, the match remained scoreless through 74 minutes, with the draw being broken by a Kevin Kelsy goal. These two sides are intimately familiar with each other, and their coaches are both legends for their achievements with their respective clubs.
Despite the storied nature of this rivalry, this year’s renditions will be a bit different. Both sides have undergone major changes since their last meeting. For The Crew, they no longer tout Cucho Hernandez, who now finds himself in La Liga. They’ve also added a new and familiar face to their squad in the form of Daniel Gazdag, who they acquired from Philadelphia Union via a trade on April 11th. Shortly after signing him, they signed the Hungarian to a contract extension that will keep him in Columbus through 2027, with a club option for ’28.
By the end of the evening tomorrow, the top of the Eastern Conference table may look a lot different than it currently does. With the #1 and #3 teams taking each other on, and the #2 side Philadelphia taking on a struggling Atlanta United side, chaos could ensue. Of course, chaos seems to thrive in rivalries, and with this being one of the best rivalries in the world, what shall we expect except chaos?
MATCH INFO:
WHERE: Astor Park, Columbus, OH
WHEN: Saturday, May 17 at 7:15pm ET
WATCH: FOX Deportes/MLS Season Pass/ FOX Sports US.
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