FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew SC, MLS 2026 MLS IS BACK GROUP STAGE
Overview
Match Preview
FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew SC — MLS at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
- FC Cincinnati 18 games · 26 pts (2026/26)
- Columbus Crew SC 18 games · 20 pts (2026/26)
Match Details
- Referee Ismail Elfath
- Referee Andrew Bigelow
- Referee David Gantar
- Referee Ramy Touchan
- Referee Cory Richardson
12 games this season
🟨 2.1/game
⚽ 6.2 goals/game
🟥 1 total
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville SC | 18 | 40 |
| 2 | Internacional CF Miami | 18 | 38 |
| 3 | New England Revolution | 18 | 30 |
| 4 | Chicago Fire FC | 17 | 29 |
| 5 | New York City FC | 18 | 26 |
| 6 | FC Cincinnati | 18 | 26 |
| 7 | Charlotte FC | 18 | 25 |
| 8 | New York Red Bulls | 18 | 25 |
| 9 | D.C. United SC | 18 | 23 |
| 10 | Columbus Crew SC | 18 | 20 |
| 11 | Orlando City SC | 18 | 20 |
| 12 | Toronto FC | 18 | 17 |
| 13 | Philadelphia Union | 18 | 16 |
| 14 | Montreal Impact FC | 18 | 16 |
| 15 | Atlanta United FC | 18 | 12 |
| 16 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 17 | 34 |
| 17 | Los Angeles FC | 19 | 34 |
| 18 | San Jose Earthquakes | 18 | 33 |
| 19 | Houston Dynamo | 18 | 32 |
| 20 | FC Dallas | 18 | 27 |
| 21 | Real Salt Lake | 17 | 27 |
| 22 | St. Louis City | 18 | 26 |
| 23 | Portland Timbers | 18 | 24 |
| 24 | Seattle Sounders FC | 17 | 24 |
| 25 | Minnesota United FC | 18 | 24 |
| 26 | Colorado Rapids SC | 18 | 22 |
| 27 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 19 | 22 |
| 28 | San Diego FC | 18 | 21 |
| 29 | Austin FC | 18 | 17 |
| 30 | Sporting Kansas City | 18 | 14 |
Head-to-Head
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jul | Columbus Crew SC | H | 0–4 | L |
| 08 Mar | Atlanta United FC | A | 1–2 | L |
| 01 Mar | New York Red Bulls | A | 2–3 | L |
| 06 Oct | D.C. United SC | A | 0–0 | D |
| 29 Sep | Orlando City SC | H | 1–1 | D |
| 21 Sep | Chicago Fire FC | H | 0–0 | D |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jul | FC Cincinnati | A | 4–0 | W |
| 08 Mar | Seattle Sounders FC | A | 1–1 | D |
| 01 Mar | New York City FC | H | 1–0 | W |
| 06 Oct | Toronto FC | A | 0–1 | L |
| 29 Sep | Philadelphia Union | H | 2–0 | W |
| 21 Sep | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | A | 1–1 | D |
Season Stats
| FC Cincinnati | Columbus Crew SC | |
|---|---|---|
| #6 | Position | #10 |
| 26 | Points | 20 |
| 18 | Played | 18 |
| 7 / 5 / 6 | W / D / L | 5 / 5 / 8 |
| 45 | Scored | 26 |
| 44 | Conceded | 28 |
| +1 | GD | -2 |
| 1.44 | PPG | 1.11 |
| 39% | Win % | 28% |
Key Stats
65%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (17 games)
H2H (17 games)
76%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
21%
Clean Sheets
FC Cincinnati this season
FC Cincinnati this season
21%
Clean Sheets
Columbus Crew SC this season
Columbus Crew SC this season
FC Cincinnati are 6th (26 pts). Columbus Crew SC are 10th (20 pts).
Goal Timing (This Season)
FC Cincinnati
0-15
3/2
16-30
4/7
31-45
9/5
46-60
4/7
61-75
2/1
76+
11/3
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Columbus Crew SC
0-15
2/6
16-30
2/2
31-45
6/2
46-60
3/2
61-75
1/4
76+
2/2
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Top Scorers (This Season)
FC Cincinnati
| Evander | 10 G | 4 A |
| Kevin Denkey | 10 G | 1 A |
| Tom Barlow | 5 G |
Columbus Crew SC
| Diego Rossi | 6 G | 1 A |
| Wessam Abou Ali | 5 G | 1 A |
Events
Match Events
- 0' In just a few seconds ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will turn into a battlefield for FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew SC.
- 5' Supporters expect more eagerness from Artur, as he is very good at scoring at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with 0 goals in the last 0 games.
- 10' The referee is likely to let players tackle, as he already missed some meaty challenges during opening seconds. He is still to establish what should not be done by the players and what is acceptable on the pitch. It’s going to be a tough game for Greg Garza suffering a number of foals already.
- 15' While there is no rush on the pitch, let’s have a look at some stats. Gyasi Zardes made 287 appearances and scored 95 goals. He is very likely to score a goal today.
- 17' Aboubacar Keita is ready to make an impact after coming on for Vito Wormgoor at the 17 minute mark.
- 22' Columbus Crew SC come into this ranked in Array. They desperately need points to push themselves up the standings.
- 27' What a strike from Lucas Zelarayan! The score is 0-1.
- 30' GOAL! Gyasi Zardes scores on 30.
- 35' Neither side is committing men forward. This has all the hallmarks of a tense, tactical contest.
- 40' It looks like no one’s ball. FC Cincinnati is used to counterattacking playing. None of the sides are ready to take the lead.
- 44' Frankie Amaya is having his name booked by the referee on 44.
- 46' Greg Garza makes way for Andrew Gutman at the 46 minute mark. A tactical switch from FC Cincinnati.
- 49' Gyasi Zardes adds to his 0 season tally! Columbus Crew SC lead 0-3 — and this changes everything.
- 53' FC Cincinnati make a change. Kekuta Manneh trudges off to be replaced by Brandon Vazquez on 53 minutes.
- 58' While players are taking a pause, let’s have a look at their stats. The teams met 1 times this season with Columbus Crew SC winning 100% of all matches.
- 60' Magnificent from Youness Mokhtar! That is 4 goals in 287 appearances — and it could not have come at a better time.
- 61' Columbus Crew SC ring the changes. Luis Diaz has done his job and it is now time for Christopher Cadden to step up.
- 62' A tactical swap from Columbus Crew SC — Christopher Cadden on, Luis Diaz off on 62 minutes.
- 63' The crowd applauds Haris Medunjanin as he leaves the pitch. Caleb Stanko steps in for FC Cincinnati.
- 68' Time for substitution for FC Cincinnati. Siem de Jong is replaced by Fatai Alashe.
- 73' The 24-year-old Aidan Morris has been sensational this season — 0 goals and 0 assists is a remarkable return.
- 76' A tactical swap from Columbus Crew SC — Aidan Morris on, Darlington Nagbe off on 76 minutes.
- 77' Another change for Columbus Crew SC made on 77 minute. Artur leaves to be changed by Sebastian Berhalter.
- 82' Controversy at the stadium! Fatai Alashe argues furiously but the Yellow card stands.
- 87' The referee calls foul for Jonathan Mensah. He receives a Yellow card.
- Hope, you loved the show. Another epic battle is over with the score 0-4.
Lineups
FC Cincinnati Lineups
Starting XI
- 7
- 22
-
11
Siem de Jong ↓ Fatai Alashe 68'
-
6
Haris Medunjanin ↓ Caleb Stanko 63'
- 2
-
4
Greg Garza ↓ Andrew Gutman 46'
-
9
Adrien Regattin ↓ Allan Cruz 63'
- 12
-
31
Kekuta Manneh ↓ Brandon Vazquez 53'
- 24
- 3
Bench
- 17
-
33
Caleb Stanko ↑ 63'
- 14
-
8
Allan Cruz ↑ 63'
-
19
Brandon Vazquez ↑ 53'
-
27
Fatai Alashe ↑ 68'
- 18
- 26
-
96
Andrew Gutman ↑ 46'
- 1
- 16
Coach
Jaap Stam
Columbus Crew SC Lineups
Starting XI
- 1
- 4
- 25
- 11
-
8
Artur ↓ Sebastian Berhalter 76'
- 16
-
6
Darlington Nagbe ↓ Aidan Morris 77'
-
5
Vito Wormgoor ↓ Aboubacar Keita 17'
-
12
Luis Diaz ↓ Christopher Cadden 61'
- 34
- 10
Bench
- 13
-
22
Derrick Etienne ↑ 61'
-
2
Christopher Cadden ↑ 61'
- 44
- 3
- 28
-
30
Aboubacar Keita ↑ 17'
-
18
Sebastian Berhalter ↑ 76'
-
21
Aidan Morris ↑ 77'
- 27
Coach
Caleb Porter
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Gyasi Zardes | 7 |
| Lucas Zelarayan | 5 |
| Luciano Acosta | 4 |
| Pedro Santos | 3 |
| Miguel Berry | 3 |
| Kevin Denkey | 2 |
| Isaac Atanga | 2 |
| Max Arfsten | 2 |
Head to Head
FC Cincinnati Form
Columbus Crew SC Form
2020-07-12
FC Cincinnati
0–4
Columbus Crew SC
W
2020-03-08
Seattle Sounders FC
1–1
Columbus Crew SC
D
2020-03-01
Columbus Crew SC
1–0
New York City FC
W
2019-10-06
Toronto FC
1–0
Columbus Crew SC
L
2019-09-29
Columbus Crew SC
2–0
Philadelphia Union
W
2019-09-21
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1–1
Columbus Crew SC
D
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
3 / 4
1.74
FC Cincinnati xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
2.3
Columbus Crew SC xG
I would bet for:
Over 2.5 goals 75% + Both teams to score 74%
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: Columbus Crew SC win
Both Teams to Score
✗ Wrong
Avg goals/match: 4.04
Actual: No — clean sheet
Over / Under Goals
✓ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 97% |
|
3% |
| ± 1.5 | 91% |
|
9% |
| ± 2.5 | 75% |
|
25% |
| ± 3.5 | 56% |
|
44% |
| ± 4.5 | 38% |
|
62% |
Double Chance
FC Cincinnati or Draw
52%
Draw or Columbus Crew SC
71%
FC Cincinnati or Columbus Crew SC
77%
Half-Time Result
✓ CorrectActual: Columbus Crew SC win at HT
Correct Score
✗ 0–4 not predicted0 – 4Actual
1 – 2
7.9%
1 – 1
7.8%
2 – 2
6.7%
2 – 1
6%
1 – 3
6%
2 – 3
5.1%
0 – 2
4.8%
3 – 2
3.9%
0 – 1
3.7%
0 – 3
3.6%
3 – 1
3.5%
1 – 4
3.4%
Asian Handicap — FC Cincinnati
| Handicap | FC Cincinnati covers | Push | Columbus Crew SC covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 6% | — | 94% |
| -2 | 6% | 9% | 85% |
| -1.5 | 15% | — | 85% |
| -1 | 15% | 14% | 71% |
| -0.5 | 29% | — | 71% |
| +0.5 | 50% | — | 50% |
| +1 | 50% | 19% | 31% |
| +1.5 | 69% | — | 31% |
| +2 | 69% | 15% | 16% |
| +2.5 | 84% | — | 16% |
Clean Sheet
FC Cincinnati keeps clean sheet
11%
✓
Columbus Crew SC keeps clean sheet
18%
✗
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.