CINCINNATI — The Columbus Crew continued their impressive run of form Sunday evening, defeating FC Cincinnati 2-0 at TQL Stadium in a Hell is Real derby that saw Columbus deliver another strong performance on both ends of the pitch.
Goals from Gonzalo Tapia and hometown hero Taha Habroune provided the scoring, but the Crew's disciplined defensive performance was just as big. Columbus repeatedly disrupted Cincinnati's attempts to build attacks, leaving the Orange and Blue struggling to establish any consistent offensive rhythm.
The frustration became increasingly visible as the game wore on, particularly from Cincinnati midfielder Evander, who appeared frustrated by his team's inability to break through the Columbus defense.
Crew Strike First
Columbus took the lead in the 22nd minute when Tapia headed home a corner kick delivered by Brais Méndez. The goal came while Cincinnati defender Tyrell Malacia was temporarily off the pitch, leaving the Orange and Blue shorthanded.
The Crew carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime, although Cincinnati had opportunities to equalize. Tom Barlow forced Patrick Schulte into saves in the 28th and 43rd minutes, while Nick Hagglund missed a chance from inside the penalty area late in first-half stoppage time.
Cincinnati also lost defender Julián Malatini early in the match, with Hagglund replacing him in the 18th minute.
Habroune Doubles the Lead
Columbus extended its advantage in the 54th minute when Habroune finished a pass from Tapia, sending a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner of the net. Santiago Rodríguez also received credit for an assist on the play.
The second goal gave Columbus some breathing room and forced Cincinnati to become more aggressive offensively, but the Crew remained organized defensively.
Cincinnati continued searching for an opening, but Columbus consistently closed down passing lanes and disrupted attacks before they could develop into dangerous opportunities.
Schulte was also sharp when called upon. The Crew goalkeeper made several late saves, including stops against Ayoub Jabbari and Gerardo Valenzuela, as Cincinnati desperately searched for a goal.
Columbus Controls the Match
While the two goals will receive much of the attention, Columbus' defensive performance was arguably the biggest story of the evening.
The Crew made it difficult for Cincinnati to connect passes and build attacks through the middle of the pitch. Evander and his teammates struggled to find space, often settling for difficult shots or losing possession before creating a clear scoring opportunity.
Cincinnati generated several chances in the closing minutes, including a shot from Jabbari that sailed over the crossbar in stoppage time. However, the Crew maintained their defensive discipline and finished the match with a clean sheet.
For Cincinnati, the defeat adds to a frustrating stretch in which defensive mistakes and inconsistent offensive play have repeatedly proven costly. The Orange and Blue created opportunities but couldn't find a way past Schulte or a Columbus defense that played with confidence throughout the evening.
What's Next
The Crew return home Wednesday to face St. Louis CITY SC in the U.S. Open Cup final at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, with Columbus looking to capture another trophy in front of its home supporters.
FC Cincinnati will look to regroup Wednesday when D.C. United visits TQL Stadium for a 7 p.m. ET matchup. After another disappointing result against their Ohio rivals, the Orange and Blue need to find some consistency as the regular season approaches its conclusion.
