Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati Clash in Fiery Hell Is Real Derby

Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati Clash in Fiery Hell Is Real Derby

The Hell Is Real Derby between Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati has evolved significantly since their first matchup in 2017, with both teams now competing at a high level in MLS. Columbus has transformed with a new stadium and multiple titles, while Cincinnati boasts a new 26,000-seat venue. This Saturday's clash will be the first since FC Cincinnati eliminated the Crew from the playoffs last season, setting a fierce competitive tone as they both…

Hell Is Real ‘stands by itself’ as the Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati renew their rivalry

Sean Zawadzki was 17 when the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati first met. It was mid-June 2017. FC Cincinnati was in its second USL season and drew the in-state Crew in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. Despite being the MLS team and therefore the perceived favorites, the Black & Gold left Cincinnati with a 1-0 loss, marking another early-round exit in the Open Cup. Zawadzki, a Crew Academy product, didn’t make the two-hour trip south with r…

Crew, Cincinnati renew Hell Is Real derby after '25 playoff clash

(Photo credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)FC Cincinnati know they can score. Keeping the ball out of their net will be the priority when the Hell Is Real derby is resumed at the Columbus Crew on Saturday.A 4-3 home win over Vancouver on Wednesday raised alarms for coach Pat Noonan but he expects the leaky Cincinnati (6-5-5, 23 points) defense will be fixed for the f

FC Cincinnati looks for an elusive away win in latest Hell Is Real Derby

There is something about a derby that makes all stats, and the forms of the teams playing in said derby, feel irrelevant. FC Cincinnati (6-5-5, 5th in East) has one of the most potent offenses in all of MLS. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew (4-4-8, 11th in East) are a struggling side looking to gain form and get into a playoff position. Come Saturday night, everything that has happened so far this season might not matter in the slightest. The last time …