Venue: Lower.com Field — Columbus, Ohio

Scheduled Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT

Surface: Natural grass

Capacity: ~20,000

Atmosphere: One of MLS’s most intense derby environments — the Hell Is Real rivalry always produces high‑emotion, high‑tempo matches.

Weather Forecast — Columbus, OH

Temperature: 82°F at kickoff

Humidity: 63%

Wind: 7 mph SW

Rain Chance: 20%

Match Impact:

Warm, humid conditions slow tempo late

Slight wind favors diagonal balls and wide play

Lower.com Field’s tight sightlines amplify crowd pressure

Injury Report

FC Cincinnati

Luciano Acosta — MF: Active

Aaron Boupendza — FW: Active

Brandon Vazquez — FW: Active

Matt Miazga — DF: Active

Injuries:

Obinna Nwobodo — MF: Day‑to‑day (groin)

Santiago Arias — DF: Out (ankle)

Columbus Crew SC

Cucho Hernández — FW: Active

Diego Rossi — FW: Active

Darlington Nagbe — MF: Active

Aidan Morris — MF: Active

Injuries:

Christian Ramirez — FW: Out (hamstring)

Steven Moreira — DF: Day‑to‑day (knee)

Key Tactical Matchups

1. Luciano Acosta (CIN) vs. Darlington Nagbe (CLB)

Acosta is Cincinnati’s creative engine, thriving in tight spaces.

Nagbe’s ball retention and defensive positioning are crucial for Columbus.

If Acosta finds pockets between lines, Cincinnati’s attack becomes dangerous.

2. Cucho Hernández (CLB) vs. Matt Miazga (CIN)

Cucho’s movement and finishing make him Columbus’s most dangerous attacker.

Miazga must avoid being pulled out of position by Cucho’s drifting runs.

This duel determines Columbus’s ability to generate high‑value chances.

3. Diego Rossi (CLB) vs. Cincinnati’s fullbacks

Rossi excels in diagonal runs behind the back line.

Cincinnati’s fullbacks have struggled against pace this season.

Rossi’s ability to attack the left channel is a major threat.

4. Boupendza + Vazquez (CIN) vs. Columbus CB pairing

Cincinnati’s dual‑striker setup creates overloads in the box.

Columbus’s center‑backs have been inconsistent in aerial duels.

Cincinnati’s finishing efficiency could tilt the match.

Recent Team Form

FC Cincinnati (6‑5‑5)

Last 5 matches: 2‑2‑1

Goals For: 23

Goals Against: 22

Road Record: 2‑3‑3

Form Summary:

Acosta in strong creative form

Boupendza providing consistent scoring

Defense vulnerable to quick counters

Road performances remain uneven

Columbus Crew SC (4‑8‑4)

Last 5 matches: 1‑3‑1

Goals For: 20

Goals Against: 26

Home Record: 3‑4‑1

Form Summary:

Cucho and Rossi remain elite attackers

Midfield strong in possession but inconsistent defensively

Defense conceding too many high‑value chances

Team struggling to close out matches

Series History — Hell Is Real Derby

All‑time MLS meetings: Columbus leads 7‑5‑4

At Lower.com Field: Columbus leads 3‑1‑1

Scoring Trends:

Average goals per match: 3.1

Columbus averages 1.9 goals at home vs Cincinnati

Cincinnati tends to struggle in late‑game phases in Columbus

This rivalry consistently produces high‑intensity, high‑scoring matches.

Betting Trends

Columbus overs hit in 7 of last 10 matches

Cincinnati has scored in 9 straight matches

Columbus has conceded 2+ goals in 6 of last 8

Cincinnati matches hit BTTS in 8 of last 10

MATCH ODDS

FC Cincinnati                     + 285

Columbus Crew SC          – 120

Draw                                     + 325

Over 3.5 + 100                  Under 3.5 – 120

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, July 24, 2026

Venue: Red Bull Arena — Harrison, New Jersey

Scheduled Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT

Surface: Natural grass

Capacity: ~25,000

Atmosphere: One of MLS’s most intense and compact home environments; Red Bulls supporters generate relentless pressure.

Weather Forecast — Harrison, NJ

Temperature: 83°F at kickoff

Humidity: 65%

Wind: 6 mph SW

Rain Chance: 15%

Match Impact:

Warm, humid conditions slow tempo late

Slight wind favors diagonal balls and wide play

Red Bull Arena’s tight pitch enhances pressing intensity

Injury Report

Charlotte FC

Karol Świderski — FW: Active

Liel Abada — FW: Active

Ashley Westwood — MF: Active

Adilson Malanda — DF: Active

Injuries:

Ben Bender — MF: Out (knee)

Jere Uronen — DF: Day‑to‑day (ankle)

New York Red Bulls

Lewis Morgan — FW: Active

Emil Forsberg — MF: Active

Cameron Harper — FW: Active

John Tolkin — DF: Active

Injuries:

Dante Vanzeir — FW: Out (hamstring)

Sean Nealis — DF: Day‑to‑day (groin)

Key Tactical Matchups

1. Karol Świderski (CLT) vs. NYRB CB pairing

Świderski’s movement between lines is Charlotte’s most dangerous attacking weapon.

Red Bulls’ center‑backs struggle when pulled out of shape by creative forwards.

If Charlotte breaks the press, Świderski becomes a major threat.

2. Lewis Morgan (NYRB) vs. Adilson Malanda (CLT)

Morgan is in elite form, scoring and creating consistently.

Malanda is Charlotte’s best defender but can be exposed by pace and quick combinations.

Morgan’s ability to attack the right channel is a major danger.

3. Emil Forsberg (NYRB) vs. Ashley Westwood (CLT)

Forsberg dictates tempo and is NYRB’s most important creative piece.

Westwood’s experience and positioning are crucial to Charlotte’s midfield stability.

Whoever wins this duel determines match rhythm.

4. Pressing Battle: NYRB high press vs. Charlotte buildup

Red Bulls rely heavily on pressing triggers and forcing turnovers.

Charlotte’s midfield has struggled under pressure this season.

If Charlotte breaks the press, they can exploit space behind NYRB’s midfield.

Recent Team Form

Charlotte FC (6‑6‑4)

Last 5 matches: 2‑2‑1

Goals For: 21

Goals Against: 23

Road Record: 2‑4‑2

Form Summary:

Świderski and Abada forming a dangerous duo

Defense inconsistent against pace

Midfield creativity improving

Road performances remain uneven

New York Red Bulls (6‑6‑4)

Last 5 matches: 3‑1‑1

Goals For: 24

Goals Against: 22

Home Record: 4‑2‑1

Form Summary:

Morgan in top form

Forsberg controlling midfield

Pressing system generating chances

Defense occasionally vulnerable in transition

Series History

All‑time MLS meetings: Red Bulls lead 4‑2‑1

At Red Bull Arena: Red Bulls lead 3‑1‑0

Scoring Trends:

Average goals per match: 2.6

Red Bulls average 1.8 goals at home vs Charlotte

Charlotte tends to struggle against NYRB’s pressing system

Red Bulls have historically controlled this matchup, especially at home.

Betting Trends

Red Bulls have earned points in 6 of last 7 home matches

Charlotte has conceded 2+ goals in 5 of last 7 road matches

NYRB overs hit in 6 of last 9

Charlotte matches hit BTTS in 7 of last 10

MATCH ODDS

Charlotte FC                       + 200

New York Red Bulls         + 120

Draw                                     + 285

Over 3 – 132                       Under 3 + 112

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, July 24, 2026

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have secured up to $850,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from CF Montréal in a trade sending defender Brayan Ceballos to the Canadian club. The agreement delivers $500,000 in 2026 GAM, $250,000 in 2027 GAM, and an additional $100,000 in conditional GAM, while New England also retains a percentage of any future transfer involving Ceballos.

“Brayan has been a committed professional throughout his time in New England, and we appreciate everything he brought to the club,” said Chris Tierney, Revolution General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer. “This move provides us with a significant amount of allocation money, which strengthens our ability to continue improving the roster in the years ahead.”

Ceballos, 22, departs after two seasons in Foxborough, where he made 38 regular‑season appearances, including 37 starts, and scored three goals. Before joining MLS, the Colombian center back played for Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine, Fortaleza in Brazil, and Colombian sides Junior, Deportes Quindío, and Universitario Popayán.

The allocation funds acquired in the deal give New England added flexibility within MLS’s roster‑building rules, allowing the club to reduce salary‑budget charges, sign new players, or retain key contributors.

TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquire up to $850,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from CF Montréal in exchange for defender Brayan Ceballos on July 24, 2026. The Revolution receive $500,000 in 2026 GAM, $250,000 in 2027 GAM, and $100,000 in conditional GAM, and retain a percentage of Ceballos’ future sell‑on rights.