CINCINNATI — FC Cincinnati doesn't have much time to dwell on Sunday's loss in the Hell is Real derby to the Columbus Crew. The Orange and Blue return to TQL Stadium Wednesday night to face D.C. United, with valuable points at stake in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Cincinnati fell to Columbus, 2-0, despite controlling possession and outshooting the Crew 24-4. The home side created plenty of opportunities but couldn't find a way past goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who finished with eight saves.
The loss left Cincinnati at 9-11-9 with 36 points, sitting on the Eastern Conference playoff line with five regular-season matches remaining.
Wednesday offers an opportunity to put that frustrating performance behind them, but the importance of the game goes well beyond recovering from a rivalry loss.
Finishing the Chances
Creating scoring opportunities wasn't Cincinnati's problem against Columbus. Finishing them was.
The Orange and Blue held the ball for more than 66% of Sunday's match and repeatedly pushed into dangerous areas, but the Crew scored with two of their four shots and left with all three points.
Cincinnati has already scored a club-record 83 goals across all competitions this season. Sunday's shutout was the team's first since September 9, making the lack of goals unusual for a side that has generally been productive in attack.
Against D.C. United, Cincinnati will look to turn that attacking pressure into goals.
The visitors have experienced their own struggles. D.C. enters Wednesday's contest at 7-10-12 with 33 points after losing 4-1 to Orlando City on Saturday.
Forward Tai Baribo scored United's only goal in that defeat, converting a penalty kick for his team-leading 16th goal of the season.
Two Games That Could Shape the Playoff Race
Wednesday's match was originally scheduled for September 5 but was postponed because heavy rain created unsafe field conditions at TQL Stadium.
The rescheduled contest now creates an unusual situation. Cincinnati will face D.C. United twice in four days, hosting Wednesday's match before traveling to Washington for another meeting Saturday.
With the Orange and Blue fighting to hold onto a playoff position, taking points from both games could make a major difference in the closing weeks of the regular season.
The teams have met 14 times in MLS regular-season play, with D.C. United holding a 6-4-4 advantage.
Cincinnati has also struggled against D.C. at home, winning just once in the series at TQL Stadium.
For a team coming off a disappointing rivalry loss, reversing that trend would be a welcome result. But with the playoff race tightening, Cincinnati needs more than a better performance. It needs points. Preferrably 6 over the next two matches.
Wednesday's match kicks off at 7 p.m. ET at TQL Stadium and will be streamed on Apple TV.
