Columbus Crew Secures 3-0 Victory over FC Cincinnati as League Play Resumes
In a highly anticipated matchup, the Columbus Crew dominated FC Cincinnati with an impressive 3-0 victory as league play resumed after a five-week layoff for Leagues Cup play. Columbus started the game strong and set the tone early on, leaving their opponents struggling to keep up.
Aidan Morris kicked off the scoring for Columbus in the 15th minute, netting his fourth goal of the season. Yaw Yeboah provided a well-executed pass, giving Morris an opportunity to strike from 20 yards out. His accurate shot found the back of the net, granting the Crew an early lead.
Just eight minutes later, Cucho Hernández extended Columbus’ lead with a penalty kick goal, marking his sixth goal of the season. The penalty kick came as a result of a hand-ball violation by Álvaro Barreal. With Hernández’s clinical finish, the Crew solidified their dominance over their in-state rivals.
Obinna Nwobodo faced a setback for FC Cincinnati in first-half stoppage time as he received a yellow card, his eighth of the season. This forced him to sit out the upcoming match against New York City FC. The absence of Nwobodo, a key player for Cincinnati, could potentially impact their performance in the next game.
In the dying moments of the match, Jacen Russell-Rowe added insult to injury for FC Cincinnati by scoring in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The 20-year-old forward capitalized on an assist from Christian Ramírez and notched his third goal of the season and career. Ramírez’s contribution to the goal extended his impressive run, having been involved in a goal in five consecutive matches for the Crew, with three goals and four assists.
Patrick Schulte, the goalkeeper for Columbus, displayed his brilliance with three saves, earning a clean sheet for the team. On the other side, Roman Celentano made six saves for Cincinnati, although it wasn’t enough to prevent the defeat.
It was a disappointing result for FC Cincinnati, considering their position as the Supporters’ Shield leaders entering the game. With 51 points accumulated through the first 23 matches, Cincinnati has shown strength throughout the season. Nevertheless, they continue to struggle against their in-state rivals, holding a 2-6-4 all-time record against the Columbus Crew.
Columbus’ victory further solidifies their dominance over Cincinnati at home, with the Crew now boasting a four-game winning streak against their rivals. Additionally, the Crew remain unbeaten in their last 11 home matches across all competitions, holding a record of 7 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. Overall, they have an impressive tally of 15 wins, 1 loss, and 7 draws in their last 22 home games.
It is worth mentioning that FC Dallas remains the only team in league history to have lost just two of their first 24 matches. While Cincinnati has accumulated an impressive 51 points from 23 matches, it falls short of the record set by Los Angeles FC in 2019, who managed to amass a remarkable 52 points by the same stage.
Looking ahead, FC Cincinnati will head back home to host New York City FC on Saturday, seeking to bounce back from this defeat. Meanwhile, Columbus will have the advantage of hosting Toronto FC on the same day, aiming to maintain their winning momentum.
In conclusion, the Columbus Crew’s 3-0 victory over FC Cincinnati showcases their strength and dominance on the field. With Aidan Morris, Cucho Hernández, and Jacen Russell-Rowe finding the back of the net, the Crew proved to be a force to be reckoned with. FC Cincinnati, despite their previous successes, will need to regroup and overcome this setback as they face New York City FC in their upcoming match.
