Overview
- FC Cincinnati beat Columbus 1-0 in the series opener at TQL Stadium behind Kevin Denkey’s close-range finish in the 78th minute.
- Columbus controlled long stretches early through Darlington Nagbe and the wings but created little in the final third.
- Cincinnati leaned on organized defending and quick transitions, then saw out the lead as the Crew pushed late.
- The rematch kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET at Lower.com Field with streaming on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
- Cincinnati entered the playoffs in strong form after taking points in its final five matches to finish second in the East, while Columbus stumbled late in the regular season.