This weekend marks the MLS’s celebration of its rivalries, with a majority of the league’s rivals facing off for the first time this season. A lot of these rivalries are pretty new to the league: NYFC vs. NY Red Bulls, LAFC vs. LA Galaxy, and more have teams that are young in their existence.
One of these derbies that is newer compared to some of the classic clashes is FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew, also known as “Hell is Real.”
Hell is Real has earned this name thanks to the famous billboards that you can spot on the highway between the two Ohio cities.
The name of this derby explains the no-love-lost between the two squads; other than the name, what makes this derby so special?
Origins of the Derby
FC Cincinnati was founded as a USL team (Second tier) in 2015, with their being a divide in the two teams being in different leagues, which gave no way for a real rivalry.
The first meeting between the two teams was in 2017 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the fourth round. Cincinnati pulled off the upset against the MLS club sparking in what could be a potential rivalry with both fans wanting more matchups between the teams.
A two-year hiatus occurred until 2019 when FC Cincinnati joined the MLS, sparking what would be an annual derby between the two teams. With Cincinnati now in the top-tier league. Both teams would now face each other at least twice a year.
The first year of the derby in the MLS went in favor of the Crew. The first matchup ended up in a draw, with both teams at a deadlock at two goals apiece.
The second and final game was a dominant victory by the Crew at a score of three to one. This year was a hint at what the future had in store for this derby.
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Biggest moment
Both teams have been almost even, with the Crew having a slight edge over FC Cincinnati. The derby came to a head in 2023, marking the first time both teams would face off against each other in the postseason.
The Conference Semi-final matchup was hosted at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati; the winner of this match would go on to the MLS Cup.
FC Cincinnati had the edge with a two-to-zero lead in the first half in what was a dominating display of soccer in what looked like would be a victorious day for the young club.
Three unanswered goals by the Crew in the second half, with two of those coming late in the second half. This victory for the Crew was a key note in what would end up being a Championship run that ended with the Crew holding up the MLS Cup at home.
The Crew has the edge in this series with an all-time record of seven wins, four losses, and six draws. Despite Cincinnati struggling to win against their rival, these games have been separated by one goal.
Most recent matchup
FC Cincinnati traveled down Interstate 71 and past the Hell is Real sign to Crew Stadium to face off against their hated rival on Saturday of May 17th.
Cincinnati earned an early lead in the first half of play, then proceeded to drop back into defensive shell to prevent the steady attack by Columbus. like Wilfred Nancy teams tend to do, the Crew slowly cut into the one goal lead.
Crew forward Diego Rossi scored the tying goal in the 54th minute off a penalty. Despite the efforts of Columbus, this was the last goal that would occur from either side, despite the amount of quality tries.
Cincinnati looked outmatched in this game against the Crew, despite that they continue to be dead even with the Crew, which sets up one last guaranteed Hell is Real matchup later in the season.
With Cincinnati tied for the one seed and Columbus separated from second place by two points could set up a potential semi-final matchup in the playoffs. If 2023 told us anything. It’s that when these two teams face off in the playoffs, it’s an instant classic.
Credit IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date 13.09.2024