The latest version of the “Hell Is Real” Derby appeared to possess the heat from a thousand engines. The fireworks at the end of the last matchup promised a nitroglycerine boost this time around.
In the end, Columbus took the checkered flag with them into the sunset, while Cincinnati are left figuring out how to repair the flat.
Despite owning much of the offense in the match, FC Cincinnati (9-9-11, 36 pts.) caved from the handful of shots taken by the Crew. Goals from Gonzalo Tapia and Taha Habroune provided enough firepower for the Crew (10-5-15, 35 pts.) to take a 2-0 win home to Columbus.
“I could talk about a lot of things,” Pat Noonan addressed afterward. “Stats, good behaviors. In the end, we lost an important game, and that’s what matters. That’s what we have to accept and move on.”
FC Cincinnati entered the match with the remaining schedule approaching “must-win” territory. The 3-2 loss to New England on Wednesday and the results from other teams on Saturday left the Orange & Blue in 8th place. However, a win against their in-state rivals could alleviate some of that lost momentum.
Columbus were riding high off of a 3-1 victory against Charlotte FC on Wednesday. Despite the heavy change in the roster over the transfer window, the offense was clicking on all cylinders, winning three of the past four.
Cincinnati provided arguably the strongest lineup with the current talent, including all three deadline pickups in David Doudera, Julian Malatini, and Tyrell Malacia. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano also returned to the lineup after two healthy scratches.
Columbus opted to rotate their lineup before their Wednesday U.S. Open Cup final against St. Louis. Wednesday’s starters Josef Martinez and Mo Farsi both remained on the bench the entirety of the game, while new midfielder Anass Zaroury was off the lineup sheet completely.
The prematch festivities were as fiery as you could ask of a “Hell Is Real” rematch. The 2-1 away loss in July was still fresh in fans’ collective minds. The tifo unveiled by The Bailey was one of the largest produced by an MLS fanbase. The design was inspired by the legends of Cincinnati’s spookier past, connected to “Satan’s Hollow”, one of the “most disturbing urban legends in Ohio’s history“.
First half
The first 45 minutes were marred by injury concerns to the newest arrivals. Malatini’s night ended early after 18 minutes, as the center back suffered an injury on a foul while defending the box.
Nick Hagglund replaced Malatini, and in the process, tied Yuya Kubo for most appearances for FC Cincinnati.
A crunching play on one end of the pitch would result in the Crew’s first goal. Malacia received a heavy check outside of the Columbus box, but because of his treatment taking place off the pitch, Cincinnati would continue play down a man.
While Malacia waited to return, Gonzalo Tapia scored his first goal for Columbus in the 22nd minute. The midfielder was left uncovered at the far post, heading in a corner kick from Brais Mendez to start the scoring.
Evander lamented the situation after the match. “Those are the details we need to be aware of in these kind of games, when we’re one man down and we need to be aware on the post on that corner.
“We need to be ready for those moments because this is a soccer game. They’re going to happen at some point, and we need to be ready to digest those small details when it’s necessary.”
The best opportunity for Cincinnati came minutes later. However, Patrick Schulte denied a breakaway by Tom Barlow in the 28th minute to keep the clean sheet.
Chippiness continued to cook at tempers near the end of the half. Andre Gomes’ yellow-card foul to Evander brought arguments between Hagglund and the Crew’s Taha Habroune. The resulting set piece fell to Hagglund, but he was unable to end the half with a goal.
Despite owning a bit more possession over Columbus, Cincinnati entered the half with more of the yellow cards and a rattled output.
Second half
Columbus entered the second half with the hopes of riding a defensive shell. Mendez was lifted at halftime, perhaps keeping him fresh for the midweek match against St. Louis.
The climb back into the game became progressively harder nine minutes later. Tapia got behind the defense in the 54th minute, centering a pass back into the box. Habroune slotted a gentle shot past the outstretched Celentano. His fifth of the season gave Columbus the 2-0 lead they would not relinquish.
Columbus continued to coil back into their low block, denying Cincinnati any further opportunities. Their best effort may have been in the 89th minute, as Kevin Denkey was unable to deflect a sharp cross into the net.
Overall, FC Cincinnati held a 23-3 advantage in shots and a 68-32 possession domination. However, the final score is the only one that counts in the standings.
Columbus returns to the capital city with their third consecutive regular-season derby win. The Crew have taken 11 wins out of the 23 matchups, while Cincinnati has won only six.
“Who we approach it with our starting group, how we make in-game adjustments, that’ll be dictated on what the games look like,” Noonan acknowledged. “But if you look at how the games are being played right now structurally, chance creation, we still concede in almost every big moment that we concede or give up. But I wouldn’t say a lot drastically needs to change, other than winning the boxes. That’s something that we haven’t done.”
“You need to have a short memory,” Hagglund admitted after the match. “You move onto the next thing. I think there are some things you could look at in the first half that were good and positive. We need to focus on those things and give everything we’ve got for D.C.”
The loss pushes Cincinnati to ninth place, but the Orange & Blue still have a vital game in hand. Meanwhile, Columbus lurks a point behind the playoff line.
Cincinnati now face D.C. United twice in the span of seven days. The Crew have half a week to prep for St. Louis City SC in the U.S. Open Cup final. Afterwards, the Crew host Toronto FC on Saturday.
Major League Soccer, Match #29
FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Attendance: 25,513
Result: FC Cincinnati 0, Columbus Crew 2.
BOX SCORE
FC Cincinnati Starting XI (3-4-1-2):
Roman Celentano (GK); Samuel Gidi, Julian Malatini (Nick Hagglund 18′, Dado Valenzuela 79′), Teenage Hadebe; David Doudera (Ender Echenique 59′), Pavel Bucha (Ayoub Jabbari 79′), Obinna Nwobodo, Tyrell Malacia; Evander (C); Tom Barlow (Kenji Mboma Dem 59′), Kevin Dénkey.
Bench: Evan Louro, Kyle Smith, Brian Anunga, Bryan Ramirez.
Columbus Crew Starting XI (4-4-2):
Patrick Schulte (GK); Andres Herrera, Steven Moreira (Eric Bailly 66′), Sean Zawadski (C), Malte Amundsen; Brooks Lennon, Andre Gomes, Taha Habroune (Dylan Chambost 66′), Santiago Rodriguez (Jamal Thiare 66′); Brais Mendez (Sekou Bangoura 46′), Gonzalo Tapia (Lautaro Giaccone 79′).
Bench: Nicholas Hagen, Amar Sedic, Mo Farsi, Josef Martinez.
Scoring summary:
CLB – Gonzalo Tapia 22’ (Mendez)
CLB – Taha Habroune 54’ (Tapia)
Discipline:
YC – Samuel Gidi 28’ (CIN, foul)
YC – Teenage Hadebe 31′ (CIN, foul)
YC – Andre Gomes 45+7′ (CLB, foul)
YC – Dylan Chambost 45+7′ (CLB, foul)
Next Match:
Major League Soccer: vs. D.C. United, 7:30 pm, Wednesday, October 21st; Apple+.
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