MLS Matchday 14 Information:
- Who: FC Cincinnati (8-1-3, 27 points) vs Columbus Crew (5-4-3, 18 points)
- When: Saturday, May 20, 2023 – 7:30 PM EST
- Where: TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH, US
- How To Watch: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
Well… Hell is Real. Another edition of the Ohio Derby commences on Saturday, as TQL Stadium and FC Cincinnati host the in-state rivals: Columbus Crew.
2022 Matchups:
- July 17, 2022: Columbus Crew 2 (16′ Hernandez, 86′ Zelarayan (Pen)) – FC Cincinnati 0
- August 27, 2022: FC Cincinnati 2 (36′ Vazquez, 77′ Miazga) – Columbus Crew 2 (74′ Etienne, 90’+6′ Moreira)
The two editions of the Hell is Real derby brought very different results, but both left Cincinnati fans with a sour taste in their mouth. In July, Columbus hosted Cincinnati. Cincinnati was without their captain Luciano Acosta due to a three-game suspension for head butting (former) New York Red Bulls defender Aaron Long and consequently touching a ref.
That led Pat Noonan to move away from his 3-4-1-2 formation to a 4-2-3-1, playing Brenner at the 10 and playing Kubo at LW, a position he flourished in at the international level with Japan. Cincinnati conceded early but failed to get much going offensively. A handball inside the box by Obinna Nwobodo in the 84th minute gave Lucas Zelarayán a chance to double the lead from the spot, which he did – beating goalkeeper Roman Celentano to secure the win for Columbus.
The home fixture of the derby for Cincinnati got off to a better start for the Orange and Blue, as Brandon Vazquez scored in the 36th minute for Cincinnati, as the home team went into the dressing room up 1-0. Derrick Etienne Jr. scored on what many Cincinnati fans will still argue as an offside goal.
The goal stood, but Cincinnati responded with a goal by Matt Miazga to put them back up 2-1. Then in the last minute of stoppage time, Degenek plays a ball into the box that Geoff Cameron heads away, but Steven Moreira takes a first time volley and buries it into the bottom left corner to end the game at 2-2.
So, FC Cincinnati hasn’t had their way against Columbus in a while. Cincinnati hasn’t won this fixture since October 14th, 2020 when Yuya Kubo and Nick Hagglund scored in a 2-1 win. That was before Columbus moved to their recent crest. Before TQL Stadium. Before Brenner, before Acosta, before Miazga, before Pat Noonan. With Brenner’s transfer to Udinese, this will be his last “Hell is Real” derby.
Columbus Crew Scouting Report
Written by: Devin Weisbarth
The Crew is in a bit of a slump, having only won one of their last five league games (1W, 2D, 2L). But they will be traveling to Cincinnati with some confidence after pretty much dominating the LA Galaxy for 90 minutes. Though, they still need to be more clinical, as wasted chances could have haunted them again against the Galaxy. Use the Orlando game, for example.
Columbus had numerous good opportunities to put the game to bed but just did not have that “killer instinct” in front of the goal. The addition of Lucas in the lineup against LA Galaxy brought a lot of balance back to the team, and he only played 45 minutes, so he should be 100% for Saturday.
The Crew got some of their main guys some rest, like Mo Farsi, Lucas Zelerayan, and Cucho Hernandez. But they are very short on center backs now, especially after the injury to former FC Cincinnati defender Gustavo Vallecilla against LA. With Vallecilla, Milos Degenek, and Josh Williams all injured, that leaves just Phillip Quinton and Steven Moreira who have played a majority of the season at center-back left.
Columbus loves to overload the opponent’s left side, using Farsi as a wingback and Alex Matan to combine up the pitch. They also like to drop Cucho deeper into midfield pockets to pick up the ball and distribute, it before finding space to run through.
Key Player: Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)
The captain for FC Cincinnati NEEDS to show up on Saturday. Since Acosta’s arrival to Cincinnati from Liga MX side Atlas in March of 2021, FC Cincinnati has not won a Hell is Real derby matchup. Acosta has not beaten Columbus yet.
Columbus hasn’t conceded more than 2 goals since their season opener at Philadelphia. FC Cincinnati has not scored 3+ goals against Columbus. EVER. If FC Cincinnati is looking to put multiple balls in the back of the net, Acosta’s creativity will need to be clinical.
Photo Credit: Reuters
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