The first MLS edition of the “Hell is Real” rivalry between the Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati did not disappoint. The dramatic match ended 2-2 after a comeback from Columbus split the points between the two Ohio sides.
Columbus went down early in the 16th minute as Darren Mattocks headed home a corner kick from Victor Ulloa. The visitors took advantage of some poor marking from Columbus as Mattocks was wide open in the six-yard box.
The second goal came seven minutes after as Roland Lamah found Emmanuel Ledesma wide open in the box just outside the six.
Cincinnati, riding on a high, prevented the Crew from getting back into the game until the 45th minute of the match when Zardes went down in the in the box after a foul from Kendall Watson. He sunk in the penalty with ease as he sent Przemysław Tytoń the wrong way.
“When you’re down 2-0 the next goal is key,” said Crew SC head coach Caleb Porter in the post-match press conference. “If they score, the game is usually done nine out of ten times. If the opponent scores to make it 2-1, that’s why they call it in football 2-0 is the most dangerous lead because now the psychology flips on its head. Now they go from thinking the game is done to scrambling a bit. That goal was key.”
The Crew equalized in the the 62nd minute off an absolute rocket from Pedro Santos which sailed upper 90 past Tytoń.
The Crew continued to press as shots from substitute David Acamm and Gyasi Zardes both hit the woodwork with Zardes’s miss from three yards out being the closest of them all.
“I thought second half was one-way traffic, it was all us,” said Porter. “We should have won. I think everyone knows that. Everybody in the stadium, even their fans, even their coach.”
While Cincinnati held more possession, they only had three shots the entire second half while Columbus mustered 10 shots and three on target producing fantastic saves from Tyton.
But despite the agony for many of the players at not being able to get the three points, Porter was still encouraged by the performance.
“My guys did everything they could to get the three points for our supporters. Everything. And I’m real proud of them.”
The atmosphere was absolutely crazy as 20,865 screaming fans followed every bit of action on the pitch including a few thousand of Cincinnati’s away fans. “For everyone that was at the game. To see the battle, to see the intensity, to see four goals… I know they will be coming back after this game,” said Porter who was pleased with the showing from Crew SC’s fans.
Columbus and FC Cincinnati will go at it again Sunday, August 25th, perhaps feeling there is unfinished business.
