Written By Devin Weisbarth
The Black and Gold will look to continue the momentum they got with the mid-week win over the LA Galaxy. Though Columbus is 1-2-2 in their last five games, Columbus has only lost twice to FC Cincinnati, and have not lost at TQL Stadium.
Matchday 13 Results
Columbus Crew 2-0 LA Galaxy
FC Cincinnati 3-0 CF Montreal
Head-to-Head
This will be the 11th MLS edition of Hell is Real, with Columbus currently leading the series (5-2-4). Last year, the Crew went 1-0-1, including a 90+6’ minute equalizer from Steven Moreira at TQL Stadium on August 27. They also won the first meeting 2-0 in July. FC Cincinnati last beat the Crew in 2020 2-1 at Nippert Stadium.
Injury Report
Milôs Degenek is still out and won’t return for about another month. Luis Diaz and Kevin Molino are both inching toward returns, and thus are doubtful. Eloy Room also returned to training, with his status questionable. Will Sands remains out after having knee surgery. Also, Gustavo Vallecilla picked up an injury against LA, and is questionable for Saturday.
Projected Lineup
This is the Crew’s fourth game in 11 days, but with it being a rivalry match, and the US Open Cup mid-week, I would expect as full-strength as they can get on Saturday. They will be short on centerbacks, with Gustavo Vallecilla, Josh Williams, and Milôs Degenek all possibly out.
What to expect from Columbus
Columbus will look to build off the win they got on Wednesday over the LA Galaxy. Goals from Lucas Zelerayan and Malte Amundsen propelled the Black and Gold over LA. Patrick Schulte continued to improve with the ball at his feet and getting comfortable with the back line.
Speaking of the back line, they may be a little shaky, especially since it will be makeshift. The Crew have many injuries on the backline, so Nancy will either play guys out of position (like Moreira), or he will switch to a back four, and start an inexperienced center back with Phillip Quinton.
Columbus will also look to continue their unbeaten streak against Cincinnati to five games on Saturday.
FC Cincinnati Scouting Report
Written by Kenta Hagiwara
FC Cincinnati come into Saturday’s Hell is Real derby at the top of the Supporter’s Shield standings and remain the only team in MLS to have won every match at home this season. They are the sixth team in MLS history to win their first 7 at home, the second in the last 20 years.
Of course, compared to last season, their goals aren’t coming just from the three attacking players of Brenner, Luciano Acosta, and Brandon Vazquez. Instead, Alvaro Barreal leads the team in assists with 4, while Sergio Santos tops the goalscorer list for the Orange and Blue with 4.
FC Cincinnati have consistently come out in their 3-4-1-2 formation that they ran the second half of the season last year. 2022 MLS SuperDraft pick and Generation Adidas goalkeeper Roman Celentano has solidified himself as one of the top shot-stoppers in all of MLS, good enough for him to get the call up to the USMNT in both the January and April windows of 2023. Cincinnati native Nick Hagglund starts on the right of the three centerback line alongside USMNT CB Matt Miazga. On the left, Colombian defender Yerson Mosquera starts, currently on loan from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers. The left wingback for FC Cincinnati is the Argentine Alvaro Barreal – and the right wingback has been shared by MLS veterans Alvas Powell and Raymon Gaddis… but also by former Atletico Madrid fullback Santiago Arias.
The two central midfielders starting in Pat Noonan’s system are Venezuelan international Junior Moreno and Obinna Nwobodo. And then, of course, is Cincinnati’s #10 – Luciano Acosta. In front of him, any combination of Sergio Santos, Brandon Vazquez, and Dom Badji could be expected to play.
FC Cincinnati’s creativity comes from both Luciano Acosta and Alvaro Barreal, so FCC frequently like to build play through the left side of the pitch. In many cases, you’ll then see Moreno shift into a 8 role and Nwobodo into a 6, and Lucho wander into space as the 10.
FCC also have been incredibly good at preventing goals this season. Roman Celentano is tied for second in MLS with 6 clean sheets in 12 matches after his record-breaking clean sheet on Wednesday that crowned him as the new all-time clean sheet leader for the Orange and Blue.
FC Cincinnati will most likely be without the services of Brenner this match, as he is still dealing with an injury from FCC’s match against DC United. Sergio Santos’ availability is still also up in the air after he picked up a knock during the week and was unavailable for the midweek match between FC Cincinnati and CF Montreal. Forward Arquimides Ordonez is currently on international duty with the U20 Guatemalan Team and will therefore be unavailable Saturday.
With the amount of forwards’ availabilities in question ahead of Saturday’s match, FC Cincinnati may rely on the Japanese international Yuya Kubo to play in a more advanced role off the bench with the depth in midfield (Malik Pinto, Marco Angulo, Stiven Jimenez) not as much of an issue.
Keys to the match
Youth will grow up fast
For many of these guys, including head coach Wilfried Nancy, this will be their first Hell is Real Derby. They will need to step up in a big way, especially at the back. With the center back group being thin, youth is more than likely going to be thrust into action sooner than they thought. Schulte is going to have to have a good night, and lead from the back.
Play the game, not the occasion
Like stated before, a lot of guys are playing in this derby for the first time. But, with the likes of Lucas and Cucho, the team should be calmed and ready to go. Also having Darlington Nagbe as the captain will help immensely.
Score first
The Black and Gold will have to get on the board first and play with a lead. You do not want to have to play from behind against Cincinnati, so this will be key. Look for Cucho to play a little bit of a false nine and drop into midfield to get on the ball more. Also expect, if Nancy goes three at the back, a more attacking wingback, like Yaw Yeboah.
Game Information
WHO: FC Cincinnati (8-1-3, 27 Points) vs. Columbus Crew (5-4-3, 18 Points)
WHERE: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 7:30 PM ET
HOW TO WATCH: MLS Season Pass – Apple TV