USMNT Returning to TQL Stadium
The United States Men’s National Team will return to Cincinnati on Nov. 17 for the second leg of its Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal.
Kickoff at TQL Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The match will air on TNT, truTV and Universo, with streaming available through Max and Peacock.
The United States will play the opening leg on the road Nov. 14 against an opponent to be determined following the Nations League group stage. The winner of the two-match, aggregate-score series will advance to the Nations League Finals, scheduled for March 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The match will begin the first official competition of the 2030 World Cup cycle for Mauricio Pochettino’s team. The Americans won the first three Nations League championships before Panama eliminated them in the 2025 semifinals.
TQL Stadium has become a familiar destination for the national team. The United States is unbeaten in four appearances at the venue, including its memorable 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Mexico in 2021.
Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. ET.
FC Cincinnati Loans Stiven Jimenez to Fluminense
FC Cincinnati has loaned 19-year-old midfielder Stiven Jimenez to Brazilian club Fluminense through December.
Jimenez made three appearances across all competitions for the Orange and Blue this season. He scored his first senior goal in February against O&M FC during the second leg of FC Cincinnati’s opening-round Concacaf Champions Cup series.
The midfielder signed with Cincinnati as a Homegrown Player in 2022, becoming the youngest first-team signing in club history at 15. He has spent most of his professional career with FC Cincinnati 2, making 46 appearances for the club’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate since 2023.
The move gives Jimenez an opportunity to continue his development with one of Brazil’s most recognizable clubs while allowing Cincinnati to retain control of his future. His contract includes an option for the 2027 season.
Columbus Council Expected to Approve New Ticket Tax
Attending Columbus Crew matches is expected to become slightly more expensive as the city prepares to implement an additional 2 percent tax on tickets for events at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
The surcharge is part of the financing agreement that helped bring an NWSL expansion franchise to Columbus. The city committed $25 million toward the project, and revenue from the new ticket tax will be used to reimburse that investment over time.
The fee will apply to tickets for Crew matches, the future NWSL club and other ticketed events at the stadium. It will be added to Columbus’ existing 5 percent admissions tax, which helps fund local arts organizations and maintenance and improvements at Nationwide Arena.
Once the city recovers its $25 million investment, revenue from the additional tax is expected to support health and human services, including housing and youth programs.
The expansion club, which will share ScottsMiracle-Gro Field with the Crew, is scheduled to begin play in 2028.
Crew 2 Clinches Another Playoff Berth
Columbus Crew 2 secured a place in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs following Sunday’s 1-1 draw against New England Revolution II.
The Capybaras have now qualified for the postseason four times, joining Philadelphia Union II as the only Eastern Conference teams to accomplish that feat. Crew 2 owns an 8-2 postseason record and remains the only organization to make multiple MLS NEXT Pro Cup appearances.
Columbus has also reached the Eastern Conference final in three consecutive seasons.
Crew 2 will conclude its regular season against Carolina Core FC on MLS NEXT Pro Decision Day. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET at Historic Crew Stadium, with Columbus attempting to secure a top-four finish and a home playoff match.
First-round matchups will be determined during the league’s Pick-Your-Opponent event Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 1 p.m. ET.
