CINCINNATI — One of Major League Soccer's fiercest rivalries returns Sunday when FC Cincinnati hosts the Columbus Crew in the latest edition of the Hell Is Real Derby. It's a match that both fan bases have circled on their calendars, and with the regular season winding down, the stakes extend well beyond bragging rights.
But before either club gets to the derby, there's some unfinished business.
Both teams have matches Wednesday night, giving them a quick turnaround before Sunday's showdown. Cincinnati hosts the New England Revolution, while Columbus welcomes Charlotte FC.
With two league matches in five days, both clubs face an interesting balancing act. They need results now, but they also want to enter Sunday's derby with a healthy, rested lineup.
Cincinnati Has Momentum on Its Side
FC Cincinnati returns home following Saturday's 3-1 victory over Atlanta United, a result that provided a welcome boost heading into an important stretch of the schedule.
Tom Barlow scored the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute, and Kévin Denkey added another deep into stoppage time to put the match away.
The victory gives Cincinnati something positive to build upon as it prepares to host New England on Wednesday.
Of course, it would be easy for players and supporters to start looking ahead to Sunday. The Crew are a familiar rival, and a home victory in the Hell Is Real Derby would provide plenty of satisfaction.
However, overlooking New England would be a mistake.
The Revolution represent an opportunity to collect valuable points before the derby, and Cincinnati cannot afford to treat Wednesday as little more than a warmup. A good performance would also allow the Orange and Blue to carry additional confidence into Sunday's contest.
Columbus Has Its Own Problems to Solve
The Crew enter the week following a disappointing 3-2 loss at Orlando City on Saturday.
Columbus battled back after falling behind, with Taha Habroune and Brais Méndez providing the goals. However, an 89th-minute winner from Iván Angulo sent the Crew home empty-handed.
The result was particularly frustrating because Columbus had fought its way back into the match, only to concede late.
Wednesday's home match against Charlotte provides an opportunity to recover before heading down Interstate 71 for the derby.
The Crew will want a better defensive performance, particularly against a Cincinnati team capable of punishing mistakes in transition.
There is also an added scheduling complication for Columbus. Three days after visiting Cincinnati, the Crew will host St. Louis CITY SC in the U.S. Open Cup Final.
That means the Black & Gold have three significant matches in eight days, with an opportunity to compete for a trophy immediately following the Hell Is Real Derby.
Managing minutes and keeping key contributors healthy will be important, although neither the derby nor the cup final offers much room for complacency.
A Derby Built on Ohio Pride
There is never much difficulty generating excitement for a meeting between Cincinnati and Columbus.
The Hell Is Real Derby takes its name from the famous roadside sign along Interstate 71, the highway connecting the two cities. What began as a name adopted by supporters ahead of the clubs' first meeting in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup has grown into one of MLS's most recognizable rivalries.
The two clubs have built that rivalry through memorable matches, playoff meetings, and the understandable desire of both fan bases to claim ownership of Ohio soccer.
Last year's postseason only added to that history, with Cincinnati eliminating Columbus from the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Crew have plenty of motivation to return the favor, while Cincinnati would certainly enjoy another opportunity to frustrate its northern rival.
Sunday's derby also marks the second regular-season meeting between the clubs this year, following their July encounter in Columbus.
MLS has moved kickoff from its originally scheduled 7 p.m. start to 5 p.m. ET, with the match remaining part of the league's Sunday showcase on Apple TV.
One Match at a Time
It's tempting to spend the entire week talking about the Hell Is Real Derby, particularly with both Ohio clubs preparing for an important meeting.
But Wednesday's results will help shape the circumstances surrounding Sunday's match.
Cincinnati has an opportunity to build on its victory in Atlanta. Columbus needs to respond after surrendering a late winner in Orlando. Both teams will then have only a few days to prepare for one another.
The derby will take care of itself once Sunday arrives.
For now, both clubs would be wise to take care of the opponents directly in front of them.
