WATCH: Coach Pat Noonan previews FC Cincinnati’s Hell is Real matchup
WATCH: Coach Pat Noonan previews FC Cincinnati’s Hell is Real matchup
- Columbus leads the all-time series 7-4-6, but recent matches have been closely contested.
- The rivalry has seen several memorable moments, including FC Cincinnati’s first MLS win over Columbus and a stunning comeback victory for the Crew in the 2023 Eastern Conference Final.
FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan had strong words for the tight scheduling of the first edition of the Hell is Real derby in May, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Lower.com Field in Columbus.
One of the fiercest rivalries in the MLS was at the end of a three-match week for both FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew.
“It makes no sense,” Noonan said of the lack of build up for the rivalry. “Guys give everything, but you’d like to have it on a full week where maybe it’s even more intense.”
There’s no shortage of sizzle this time around between the two in-state rivals for a buzz-worthy matchup between two of the top teams in the MLS. Both teams last played over the Holiday weekend heading into the showdown at TQL Stadium on Saturday, July 12.
“I wouldn’t call it more juice, because I think our guys train hard every day with the right approach to each opponent, but everybody knows that his game means a little bit more to everybody involved,” Noonan said. “The fans typically help define what that feels like. I’ll speak to our environment at TQL, those games feel different, and it’s fun to be a part of.”
With the stakes as high as they are on Saturday, the atmosphere should be top notch for a marquee meeting between two Supporters’ Shield contenders who haven’t lost since May.
FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew: Hell is Real history
It’s a newer rivalry in the MLS, but one of the most ferocious, as well, with the success of both FC Cincinnati and Columbus over recent years.
Columbus holds a 7-4-6 all-time advantage in the rivalry, which began in 2017. However, it’s been a tight series that has seen three draws, and both sides win twice over the last seven meetings.
Saturday is the 18th edition of the rivalry and 16th during MLS regular season play.
A home victory for the Orange and Blue would mean taking four of six points from Columbus for the second consecutive year.
Top moments in Hell is Real history
2017: FC Cincinnati upsets Columbus in U.S. Open Cup
In the biggest win in FC Cincinnati’s early history, the Orange and Blue upset Columbus, 1-0, in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup in front of 30,160 fans at Nippert Stadium in June 2017.
In the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, Djiby Fall’s 65th-minute header and five saves from goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt was enough for FC Cincinnati to pull out the massive upset of its MLS opponent.
2020: FC Cincinnati’s first MLS win over Columbus
Back at Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati native (Lakota West High School, Xavier University) Nick Hagglund’s header in the 49th minute lifted FC Cincinnati to its first win over Columbus as an MLS club.
Hagglund even added an “Ickey Shuffle” to his celebration.
Columbus had taken two of the three previous Hell is Real matches of the 2020 season before the Orange and Blue defended its home turf. It was the final Hell is Real derby at Nippert Stadium, too, as the two rivals would battle to a 2-2 draw at TQL Stadium nine months later.
2023: Columbus Crew stun FC Cincinnati with conference final comeback
FC Cincinnati’s last loss in the rivalry stung the most. FC Cincinnati was one half away from advancing to the MLS Cup Final in Dec. 2023 after taking a 2-0 lead into the break.
However, Columbus mounted a stunning comeback with three unanswered goals to win the Eastern Conference. Diego Rossi tied it 2-2 late in regulation with FC Cincinnati just a few minutes from closing it out. In the 115th minute, Christian Ramirez capped the comeback with a header that ended FC Cincinnati’s dream season.
One week later, Columbus beat LAFC to win the MLS Cup.
2024: FC Cincinnati gets 1st road Hell is Real victory
Between 2020-2023, FC Cincinnati dropped four straight road matches against Columbus. In that stretch, they were shut out three times and outscored overall, 11-2.
In the first meeting since the conference final loss, FC Cincinnati snapped the Crew’s 27-match unbeaten run at home behind goals from Kevin Kelsy and Luciano Acosta over a two-minute stretch in the second half.