FC CincinnativsColumbus Crew
CIN 1/CLB 2
Things to say
Columbus Crew beat FC Cincinnati 2-1 at home in the Hell is Real derby.
01
opener
Crew took the derby 2-1 at home. Cincy pushed late but couldn't find the equalizer. Good three points for Columbus.
02
key player
Gazdag was the difference-maker, led the line with four shots and kept Cincy's back line honest all night.
03
hot take
Cincinnati's got the better record but they still can't win in Columbus. That's a mental block at this point.
04
deep cut
Zawadzki quietly put in 13 defensive interventions. That's the kind of dirty work that wins derbies and nobody talks about.
05
exit
Anyway, these two will see each other again before the season's out. Cincy will want that one back.
The recap
Columbus took the Hell is Real derby 2-1 at home, and it was a proper battle. Gazdag was the busiest man in the box, leading the shots and pulling the strings for the Crew going forward.
Cincinnati got one back through Evander's push but couldn't find the leveler, with Patrick Schulte making four saves to protect the lead. Both keepers were kept honest, but Columbus did just enough to bag all three points.