There is something about a derby that makes all stats, and the forms of the teams playing in said derby, feel irrelevant.
FC Cincinnati (6-5-5, 5th in East) has one of the most potent offenses in all of MLS. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew (4-4-8, 11th in East) are a struggling side looking to gain form and get into a playoff position.
Come Saturday night, everything that has happened so far this season might not matter in the slightest. The last time in Columbus, a 4-0 defeat to the Crew in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, put Cincinnati on the ropes.
However, the Orange & Blue laughed last in the final matchup, defeating Columbus 2-1 to knock them out of the playoffs. While Columbus struck first, a late brace from the legendary Brenner eliminated the Crew in the end.
The Crew
It has been a tough season for Columbus. After making the playoffs as a seven seed last season, the Crew were hoping to build on that to get an even higher seed this season. Columbus brought in manager Henrik Rydström to replace Wilfried Nancy, one of the best managers in the club’s history. Rydström would only last 14 matches before being let go two matches before the World Cup break.
The squad has taken its licks as well from turnover. The team sold Jacen Russell-Rowe to Toulouse (Ligue 1) early in the season and recently transferred Diego Rossi to CF Monterrey (Liga MX) and defender Evgen Cheberko to LAFC. Midfielder Lassi Lappalainen also left for HJK on a free transfer as well, leaving the bench thin.
To make matters worse, their top goal threat, forward Wessam Abou Ali, injured his ACL and meniscus after seven matches. The Palestine striker has been injury-prone, also receiving a hairline fracture in this right ankle in 2025. While he has scored eight goals in 12 appearances for the Crew, his lack of availability has left little to no one to lead the line on the attack.
That is not to say reinforcements have not been sought. Andre Gomes was brought in from Lille to add some creativity in the midfield. During the World Cup break, Brooks Lennon was added to the squad to sure up the edge of the back line, while former Manchester United center back Eric Bailly has been summoned to help a struggling CB room. Forward Laotaro Giaccone (Argentinos Juniors) and midfielder Brais Méndez (Real Sociedad) have been brought to stabilize the attack.
With all of the chopping and changing of the roster, any team would likely be struggling to string together results as well. The Crew hosted New York City FC in their first match back after the World Cup Wednesday, falling 2-1 at home.
However, the Crew does have a big advantage when playing FCC at home. In the seven matches played in Columbus, the Crew have won five, drawn one, and lost one. The Crew have also outscored FCC 17-5 in those seven matches. If everything else is going against the Crew, they at least have a dominant record against their rival at home.
The Orange & Blue
With their current offensive charge, FC Cincinnati has to be one of the most entertaining teams in the league to watch this season. Currently sitting at 40 goals, FCC’s output is second only to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. However, the other side of that coin is not as shiny, as the defense has struggled to keep opponents out of the goal. Despite the high goal output, the team has also allowed in 40 goals, tied for second-worst in MLS.
Despite the rough defense, FCC should be feeling good heading into this match. FCC were able to hold on for a huge 4-3 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, the top team in the Western Conference and a definite title contender. Both Evander and Kevin Denkey scored their tenth goals of the season, while Evander added an assist as well. Since coming back from an injury to start the season, the Brazilian playmaker been unconscious, notching his sixth-straight match with a goal contribution.
Derbies have proven to be strange. Could this be a match where a struggling back line like FCC’s stands up with sheer will power to keep their rivals from scoring multiple goals or any goals at all? It feels unlikely, but at some point, FCC need to find something that keeps goals from going into their net if they seek title contention. What better time to do that then. against you biggest rival at their ground?
Players to watch
For FC Cincinnati, the obvious choice is Evander. A goal contribution against the Crew would tie the second-longest consecutive-match streak in the club’s history. More impressively, the Brazilian has held the captain’s armband for eight-straight matches, and the Orange & Blue have lost only once in that span (4-3-1). If FCC are to win this weekend, it’s a good bet that Evander will have a big role in it.
The Crew’s player to watch is utilityman Max Arfsten. While there aren’t a lot of high-quality players to choose from on this current roster, Arfsten can cause all kinds of problems with his pace and his passing ability. Of note: Brias Méndez could have his visa sorted by this weekend and might slot right into the Starting XI to provide a real jolt in the arm of this middling attack.
MATCH INFO:
WHERE: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, OH
WHEN: Saturday, July 25th, 7:15 PM
WATCH: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, FS1
LISTEN: ESPN 1530 iHeart Radio w/ Tommy Gelehrter and Kevin McCloskey
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