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FC Cincinnati outclassed in Columbus, fall 4-0 to Crew: How it happened

FC Cincinnati outclassed in Columbus, fall 4-0 to Crew: How it happened
ALL RIGHT. AN EXCITING DERBY THERE. THANKS SO MUCH JARON. NOW ALL THE ACTION BEGINS IN AN HOUR. TCL WILL BE PACKED AS THE ORANGE AND BLUE CHASE THAT ELUSIVE TITLE. WLWT NEWS FIVE’S MEGAN MITCHELL HAS WHY THE STAKES ARE FOR THIS GAME ARE SO HIGH. IT IS THE BATTLE OF OHIO PLAYOFF EDITION. HELL IS REAL. FC CINCINNATI TAKING ON THE COLUMBUS CREW RIGHT HERE AT TQL STADIUM. THERE’S A LAYERED HISTORY BETWEEN THESE TWO TEAMS, SO LET’S BREAK IT DOWN THIS YEAR IN THE REGULAR SEASON, FC CINCINNATI AND THE COLUMBUS CREW TIED THEIR FIRST GAME. FC CINCINNATI LOST TO THE COLUMBUS CREW IN THAT SECOND GAME. AND NOW THIS IS NIGHT. ONE OF THE BEST OF THREE. AND IN THIS GAME, THERE’S NO OVERTIME. MEANING IF THERE’S A TIED SCORE BY THE END OF THE NIGHT, THEN BOTH TEAMS WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO PKS PENALTY KICKS. THAT MEANS EVERY SHOT MATTERS. EVERY SAVE COUNTS. CINCINNATI KNOWS THE HISTORY, AND THEY’RE HOPING FOR A LITTLE FRIENDLY REVENGE. IT’S AN ORANGE OUT TONIGHT AT TQL STADIUM. SO THE FOLKS HERE ARE, OF COURSE, HOPING TO DROWN OUT ANY OF THE GOLD COMING DOWN. 71. HELL IS REAL. TONIGHT AT 645, WE’RE GOING TO SEE WHO RISES AND WHO FALLS. REPORTING AT TCU STADIUM, MEGAN MITCHELL, WLWT NEWS FIVE. I JUST G
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Updated: 8:43 PM EST Nov 2, 2025
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FC Cincinnati outclassed in Columbus, fall 4-0 to Crew: How it happened
WLWT logo
Updated: 8:43 PM EST Nov 2, 2025
Editorial Standards
FC Cincinnati needs one more win to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. But first, they have to create a little bit of history for themselves.The Orange and Blue took Game 1 six days ago at TQL Stadium, thanks to Kevin Denkey's first MLS playoff goal in the 78th minute on Monday. If Cincinnati is to end this series in two games Sunday night, they'll have to do something they've never done in their history: Defeat the Columbus Crew in a second-straight game.Follow along with all the action Sunday night with our live blog below below. For up-to-the-minute insights and analysis, follow me on social media.Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. FINAL: Columbus 4 - Cincinnati 0Maybe I'm naive, but never in my wildest thought did I think this match would go this way.It's just the second-ever game in the series to be decided by four goals and Cincinnati's streak of having never beaten Columbus in succession continues.Here is our full gamer. If you stuck this one out in full, you're a trooper. We'll speak with you on Saturday. 69' - 4-0, ColumbusThat's right, I'm jumping ahead two goals.What else is there to say at this point? The thing is, Columbus isn't even consistently pressing the way they did in the first half. They're picking their spots and FCC's defense just isn't there to stop anything tonight.63' - 2-0, ColumbusMiles Robinson has been subbed off, Luca Orellano has come on.It's a future-facing move for Pat Noonan, who wants to save his star centreback with him sitting on a yellow card. Can't risk him not being available for Game 3.As he heads off, he gives the captains armband to Celentano.58' - 2-0, ColumbusThe pace has slowed down considerably, with both sides seemingly content to take this series to Game 3 Saturday at TQL Stadium.Columbus still feels like they're dominating possession, but they're spending more time near midfield than they are in an attacking position.FCC, however, has yet to register a shot, much less actually threaten any sort of offensive build.45' - 2-0, ColumbusThe second half has commenced.FCC open the half with a pair of substitutions: Gilberto Flores is on for Powell and Lukas Engel is back on the pitch in place of Denkey.HALFTIME - 2-0, ColumbusThat was about a dominant 45 minutes as you could have asked for if you're the Crew.It's been all the Black and Gold from, essentially, the jump. The FC does not have a credited shot on goal and Columbus still has 60% of credited possession (which seems like an undercount).41' - 2-0, ColumbusWe have a whole half left but, I can't lie, you could probably just end this one now.Off the free kick following the second yellow card shown to Kubo, Dylan Chambost gets one over the FC Cincinnati wall, and into the back corner.2-0, there's a party for the Black and Gold, and FCC is struggling to find some answers.38' - 1-0, ColumbusIn a portion of the game where Cincinnati needed to take control, it feels like things are starting to slip away.Yuya Kubo is off after too aggressive of a tackle on Andres Herrera from behind. Kubo was attempting to stop a scoring attempt and slid to take Herrera down, doing so in the penalty area.He's out for this game and for a potential Game 3 on Saturday, and The FC are down to 10 men.33' - 1-0, ColumbusWe have the first goal of the match, and you'll never guess who is the beneficiary.A half hour of consistent offensive pressure has paid off for the home side, with Max Arfsten banking the ball home.The build up started with a flick into the attacking third. Diego Rossi gave chase with Alvas Powell, and Rossi won the duel. He found Arfsten who drew Celentano off his line, but was able to work his way around to knock home the first goal of the match.30' - 0-0 A couple of different sequences to catch you up on.First: Roman Celentano has played fantastic. Columbus won three-straight corner kicks, and The FC's keeper was aggressive in challenging yellow jerseys.Celentano's efforts were rewarded with a full clearance.About three minutes later, a second FC Cincinnati defender -- captain Miles Robinson -- was shown a yellow card.He and Rossi were chasing down an areal ball and Robinson's elbow ventured a bit too high and clipped Rossi in the face.17' - 0-0 Our first corner of the game goes to FCC after some wizardry from Yuya Kubo for the Orange and Blue's first decent look of the night.Columbus has dominated possession so far. Officially, it's a 63.9% possession advantage for the Crew, but it feels like it's been a lot more than that.7' - 0-0Our first booking comes inside 10 minutes, with Yuya Kubo getting shown a yellow card after challenging Diego Rossi from behind.Columbus No. 10 goes to the ground, the referee shows the card.On the ensuing free kick, Columbus put a good ball on net, but Roman Celentano knocks it away.Much like Cincinnati did on Monday, Columbus has controlled possession and pace in the opening 10 minutes tonight.2' - 0-0We already have a chance for the home side, with Taha Harbroune dribbling around the left side of Cincinnati's defense before sending a ball on net.He was trying to connect with Hugo Picard, whose knee (or otherwise lower leg area) made contact with Roman Celentano's head.Celentano was looked at for a bit, but was seen on camera to be telling Picard that there are no hard feelings. We play on.Kickoff - 0'We are underway from Columbus! LineupsWe discussed in our preview this week about what lineup Pat Noonan will opt for: If he'll try to work Lukas Engel and Luca Orellano back into the fold or go with a Starting XI that, for the most part, worked in Game 1. At least to start, it'll be the latter, as Noonan will rely on the speed Echenique brings to the table and the versatility of Yuya Kubo to compliment the Orange and Blue's attack.The lone difference is Alvas Powell starting on the right, as opposed to Nick Hagglund. Powell was credited with an assist on Denkey's game winner on Monday.Here's how the homestanding side will line up.

FC Cincinnati needs one more win to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. But first, they have to create a little bit of history for themselves.

The Orange and Blue took Game 1 six days ago at TQL Stadium, thanks to Kevin Denkey's first MLS playoff goal in the 78th minute on Monday. If Cincinnati is to end this series in two games Sunday night, they'll have to do something they've never done in their history: Defeat the Columbus Crew in a second-straight game.

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Follow along with all the action Sunday night with our live blog below below. For up-to-the-minute insights and analysis, follow me on social media.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.


FINAL: Columbus 4 - Cincinnati 0

Maybe I'm naive, but never in my wildest thought did I think this match would go this way.

It's just the second-ever game in the series to be decided by four goals and Cincinnati's streak of having never beaten Columbus in succession continues.

Here is our full gamer. If you stuck this one out in full, you're a trooper. We'll speak with you on Saturday.

69' - 4-0, Columbus

That's right, I'm jumping ahead two goals.

What else is there to say at this point? The thing is, Columbus isn't even consistently pressing the way they did in the first half. They're picking their spots and FCC's defense just isn't there to stop anything tonight.

63' - 2-0, Columbus

Miles Robinson has been subbed off, Luca Orellano has come on.

It's a future-facing move for Pat Noonan, who wants to save his star centreback with him sitting on a yellow card. Can't risk him not being available for Game 3.

As he heads off, he gives the captains armband to Celentano.

58' - 2-0, Columbus

The pace has slowed down considerably, with both sides seemingly content to take this series to Game 3 Saturday at TQL Stadium.

Columbus still feels like they're dominating possession, but they're spending more time near midfield than they are in an attacking position.

FCC, however, has yet to register a shot, much less actually threaten any sort of offensive build.

45' - 2-0, Columbus

The second half has commenced.

FCC open the half with a pair of substitutions: Gilberto Flores is on for Powell and Lukas Engel is back on the pitch in place of Denkey.

HALFTIME - 2-0, Columbus

That was about a dominant 45 minutes as you could have asked for if you're the Crew.

It's been all the Black and Gold from, essentially, the jump. The FC does not have a credited shot on goal and Columbus still has 60% of credited possession (which seems like an undercount).

41' - 2-0, Columbus

We have a whole half left but, I can't lie, you could probably just end this one now.

Off the free kick following the second yellow card shown to Kubo, Dylan Chambost gets one over the FC Cincinnati wall, and into the back corner.

2-0, there's a party for the Black and Gold, and FCC is struggling to find some answers.

38' - 1-0, Columbus

In a portion of the game where Cincinnati needed to take control, it feels like things are starting to slip away.

Yuya Kubo is off after too aggressive of a tackle on Andres Herrera from behind. Kubo was attempting to stop a scoring attempt and slid to take Herrera down, doing so in the penalty area.

He's out for this game and for a potential Game 3 on Saturday, and The FC are down to 10 men.

33' - 1-0, Columbus

We have the first goal of the match, and you'll never guess who is the beneficiary.

A half hour of consistent offensive pressure has paid off for the home side, with Max Arfsten banking the ball home.

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The build up started with a flick into the attacking third. Diego Rossi gave chase with Alvas Powell, and Rossi won the duel. He found Arfsten who drew Celentano off his line, but was able to work his way around to knock home the first goal of the match.

30' - 0-0

A couple of different sequences to catch you up on.

First: Roman Celentano has played fantastic. Columbus won three-straight corner kicks, and The FC's keeper was aggressive in challenging yellow jerseys.

Celentano's efforts were rewarded with a full clearance.

About three minutes later, a second FC Cincinnati defender -- captain Miles Robinson -- was shown a yellow card.

He and Rossi were chasing down an areal ball and Robinson's elbow ventured a bit too high and clipped Rossi in the face.

17' - 0-0

Our first corner of the game goes to FCC after some wizardry from Yuya Kubo for the Orange and Blue's first decent look of the night.

Columbus has dominated possession so far. Officially, it's a 63.9% possession advantage for the Crew, but it feels like it's been a lot more than that.

7' - 0-0

Our first booking comes inside 10 minutes, with Yuya Kubo getting shown a yellow card after challenging Diego Rossi from behind.

Columbus No. 10 goes to the ground, the referee shows the card.

On the ensuing free kick, Columbus put a good ball on net, but Roman Celentano knocks it away.

Much like Cincinnati did on Monday, Columbus has controlled possession and pace in the opening 10 minutes tonight.

2' - 0-0

We already have a chance for the home side, with Taha Harbroune dribbling around the left side of Cincinnati's defense before sending a ball on net.

He was trying to connect with Hugo Picard, whose knee (or otherwise lower leg area) made contact with Roman Celentano's head.

Celentano was looked at for a bit, but was seen on camera to be telling Picard that there are no hard feelings. We play on.

Kickoff - 0'

We are underway from Columbus!

Lineups

We discussed in our preview this week about what lineup Pat Noonan will opt for: If he'll try to work Lukas Engel and Luca Orellano back into the fold or go with a Starting XI that, for the most part, worked in Game 1.

At least to start, it'll be the latter, as Noonan will rely on the speed Echenique brings to the table and the versatility of Yuya Kubo to compliment the Orange and Blue's attack.

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The lone difference is Alvas Powell starting on the right, as opposed to Nick Hagglund. Powell was credited with an assist on Denkey's game winner on Monday.

Here's how the homestanding side will line up.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

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