In the past few seasons, “Hell Is Real” has been can’t-miss soccer between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew. The 22nd edition will be coming to town tomorrow for the Sunday Night Soccer primetime slot. This time could be slightly different, as the “Battle for Hell” has never been more disrespectful. Instead of taking place on an elevated stage, it is in the muck and mire of the lower table.
The most recent derby at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in July brought out the most vitriol yet. Both teams had to be separated by security in the tunnel after the whistle had blown. Everyone will be watching to see what happens in their first meeting since.
THE CREW
The Columbus Crew had steadily regressed since legendary head coach Wilfried Nancy left for Europe. They hired one of Europe’s most innovative tacticians, Henrik Rydstrom. However, he was dismissed in May after a 5-4-7 record and a spot in 13th in the East. Since then, interim manager Laurent Courtois has been trying to reimplement the “Nancy Way”.
Much of the woes can be chalked up to player exits, as the Crew sold off their entire starting attack and key midfield contributors such as Max Arfsten. The new frontline appears flashier than what they had before, but as one might guess, it has not made them competitive in just half a season.
Gonzalo Tapia arrived as a striker from Sao Paulo in early August, while both new wingers Santiago Rodriguez—a DP, also from the Brasileirao—and Anass Zaroury arrived early last month. Neither Tapia nor Zaroury have more than three goal contributions combined. Rodriguez, however, has contributed right away with two goals and two assists in his first seven appearances.
Injuries have also played a significant role. DP striker Wessam Abou-Ali suffered an early torn ACL and meniscus right as he got hot. Their starter in the backline, Rudy Camacho, has still been sidelined with an injury for weeks now.
Still, one positive amidst all of this has been the explosive form of their other newcomer DP striker, Brais Mendez. It isn’t often that summer window DPs hit the ground running as fast as he has. Since his arrival to the league from Real Santander in La Liga, he has netted eight goals and two assists in roughly 1200 minutes.
As of late, their form has been mixed. In their previous five matches, the Crew have managed wins over Montreal, Charlotte, and Miami, but fell to Orlando and the Red Bulls. Their last result was the 3-1 win over Charlotte, with goals scored by newcomers Mendez, Zaroury, and breakout player Taha Habroune.
The Crew now have a record of 9-5-15. After the win on Wednesday, they sit in 13th place, a hopeful four points away from the playoff line.
The table may say that Columbus is in the dungeon of the East. However, their squad is much more dangerous than that. They have all the recipes for success in potential game-changers and a coach implementing a style they are familiar with. Any match against them, especially a derby, has the chance to be a trap.
THE ORANGE & BLUE
FC Cincinnati has not been able to stop the defensive leakiness. That trend led to a six-match winless streak and a spot at the very edge of playoff contention.
They have since tried to crawl out of their uncertain place. A 3-1 win without Evander at Atlanta did a lot to remedy things, as Kevin Denkey showed up with a brace and Tom Barlow added one. However, their most recent result three days ago put them right where they were before. They suffered a 3-2 defeat midweek to the New England Revolution, after yet another backline letdown and a big performance from opposition GK Matt Turner. The striker duo of Denkey and Barlow did score again, though.
It has become clear that this defense is not going to just self-correct, especially after the added blow of Miles Robinson’s leg injury. New signing Julian Malatini had moments where he looked like a presence in the center of the backline, but both of his partners would not be starting in a perfectly healthy team.
It will take more focus when their back is to the goal, and more of a contribution from the team off the ball, to even hope to keep a clean sheet come Sunday.
The key to victory, per usual for the Orange and Blue, is its high-flying offense. Denkey has returned to his early season form, and his recent striker partner Barlow has locked down his spot with the two goals he scored so far this week. The competition in that other spot up top, Kenji Mboma-Dem, always has some spark in him. Even Ender Echenique has used his new role off the bench to be a 20-30 minute force to be reckoned with. And you still have Evander, an MVP candidate, and a new classy, European wing-back duo, behind them.
With only six more matches to go, the season has reached desperation mode. There is little margin for error in every area of the pitch, and any result could impact a playoff berth. These circumstances are unique for a rivalry that, in recent years, was between two top sides in the entire league. Now they find themselves simply fighting for a playoff spot. The winner here can not only get closer, but also dig their archrival deeper into a grave.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Cincinnati’s player to watch is Evander. All eyes will be on him for this one, after a dismal performance in the last derby, and a streak of 5 straight appearances with no goal or assist. There is no stage better and more pressurizing than this one to keep the MVP argument going.
Columbus’ player to watch is Eric Bailly. Joining the team in July, the ex-Man United center back will need to anchor their defense in an environment he has not yet experienced here, and in the face of an FC Cincinnati attack that is firing on almost all cylinders again.
PREDICTED LINEUP:
MATCH INFO:
WHERE: TQL Stadium
WHEN: 5:00 PM
WATCH: Sunday Night Soccer on Apple TV+
LISTEN: ESPN 1530 iHeart Radio w/ Tommy Gelehrter and Kevin McCloskey
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