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6h ago

FC Cincinnati Draws Columbus Crew in First-Round 'Hell Is Real' Playoff Series

Cincinnati holds the No. 2 seed, hosting the opener under a best-of-three format that goes straight to penalties if level.

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Overview

  • The matchup is confirmed for the MLS Cup Playoffs first round, with Cincinnati facing seventh-seeded Columbus in a rivalry rematch.
  • Cincinnati hosts Game 1 at TQL Stadium and, if necessary, Game 3, while Columbus hosts Game 2.
  • MLS has not released specific dates or kickoff times for the series, which falls in the Oct. 24–Nov. 9 window.
  • Decision Day sealed the seeds as Cincinnati beat CF Montreal 3-0 to lock in No. 2 and Columbus topped the Red Bulls 3-1 to finish on 54 points in seventh.
  • Columbus took the 2025 regular-season edge (4-2 win at TQL, plus a 1-1 draw) and won the 2023 East final 3-2, though Cincinnati enters this postseason with four wins in five compared with one win in five for the Crew.