FC Cincinnati has won only tow of the first 12 MLS editions of the Hell is Real Derby, with the Columbus Crew SC winning six times and the sides drawing four. The Columbus Crew SC have won only one of six trips to Cincinnati, a 3-1 win in their first visit in August 2019, with FC Cincinnati going unbeaten in all five meetings in the Queen City since (W2 D3).
This will be the first knockout match between the Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati since the latter joined MLS in 2019. The Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati will be the sixth set of in-state rivals to meet in the MLS Cup Playoffs and the first to do so in a Conference Final.
FC Cincinnati’s Conference Semifinal win over the Philadelphia Union was its 19th home victory in all competitions this year (D5 L2). A win over the Columbus Crew SC would equal the most home wins by an MLS club n a calendar year at 20, held by D. C. united in 1998 (including breakaway shootout wins) and Atlanta United FC in 2019.
The Columbus Crew SC have reached the Conference Final /MLS Semifinal for the ninth time, second-most in MLS history (Los Angeles Galaxy – 13). Wilfried Nancy will be the sixth different head coach for the Columbus Crew SC in a Conference Final as they become the first MLS team to have more than five different managers for the Conference Finals.
Yerson Mosquera’s goal at 93:20 in the Conference Semifinal win over the Philadelphia Union was the latest match-winning goal in FC Cincinnati’s MLS history (regular season or playoffs). It was the latest second-half winning goal in any MLS Cup Playoffs match since Gustavo Bou scored at 94:37 for the New England Revolution against CF Montreal Impact in the play-in round in 2020.
Cucho Hernandez has scored in each of his last three away MLS matches, including both Columbus Crew SC’s road games during this year’s MLS Cup Playoffs. Only one player has ever scored in three consecutive away matches in the MLS Cup Playoffs: Ignacio Piatti for the CF Montreal Impact in 2016.
