In a match with ramifications atop the MLS Eastern Conference standings and, perhaps, the Supporters’ Shield race (still a long way to go, folks), the Crew and the FC Cincinnati played to a 1-1 draw in the latest edition of the Hell is Real derby-darby at the new Crew stadium on Saturday, May 17.
A sellout crowd of 20,363, some of whom will be priced out when the Crew open their new premium seating and club sections next year, paid witness.
In the end, as Crew fans chanted “Columbus” from the Nordecke, a vociferous band of FCC supporters countered with a throaty “Cleveland” (clap-clap-clap). They were throwing shade at the Ohio franchise which staged a recent “home” game against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi in a pro football stadium that is controlled by the Crew’s majority owners, the Haslam Sports Group. Oof.
It was a spirited affair, pitting a high-powered, high-payroll Cincinnati club against the most entertaining tactical team in the league. The stakes were apparent: Cincinnati (9-3-2) slipped into second place, while the Crew (7-1-6) remained third in the East but lost ground to Philadelphia (9-3-2), a 1-0 winner at Atlanta. The Union moved into first based on superior goal differential to Cincinnati.
Crew coach Wilfried Nancy marveled at the atmosphere the fans created, the competitive fire of his team and the drama that unfolded. He’s like any of us — he feels the game at a visceral level and is moved emotionally as it unfolds. And it was a truly fine game to watch, no matter your rooting interests.
Cincinnati got a fluky, first-half goal after Crew goalkeeper Patrick Shulte half-muffed an effort to punch the ball out of a crowded box. The Crew dominated thereafter and attacked with a demonic intensity in the second half. While they had their chances, the only time they could find the back of the net was on a penalty kick in the 54th minute.
“We could have scored more goals,” Nancy said, “but I’m confident that will come.”
The philosophical differences between the teams could be read in the starting lineups for each.
Cincinnati had Luca Orellano at right wing back, Evander at attacking midfield and Kevin Denkey as one of its strikers. Cincinnati spent around $30 million to put these attacking pieces in place over the winter. The moves offset the departure of former league MVP Luciano Acosta, who had become disgruntled in Porkopolis and was traded to Dallas.
Cincinnati GM Chris Albright and coach Pat Noonan are a highly regarded duo. In their first three years together, their club has posted a 50-25-27 record and won the Supporters’ Shield in 2023. They have deep-pocketed owners who are not afraid to spend, and they are aggressive in pursuing high-priced talent if they sense a fit. Denkey and Orellano have combined for 14 goals in Cincy’s 14 games this season. Money.
Nancy had Daniel Gazdag at left wing, Diego Rossi at center forward and — in a surprise installment — Ibrahim Aliyu at right wing. Gazdag was acquired in a cash deal with Philadelphia for $4 million last month and his still acclimating to Nancy’s system. Rossi was acquired in the summer of 2023 from a Turkish club for a fee of $6.58 million. Aliyu, once a celebrated U22 signing in Houston who was ultimately deemed extremely expendable, came to Columbus via trade on April 24. The Crew paid $450,000, with potential for $750,000 more if certain incentives are activated.
Columbus GM Issa Tall and Nancy carry on former president/GM Tim Bezbatchenko’s philosophy of mid-pack spending combined with excellence in scouting, recruitment and development. Haslam Sports Group deserves whatever mud comes its way when it comes to squeezing every last nickel out of Crew fans or extorting a $600 million bond issue out of the state for a new Browns dome in the Cleveland exurbs, but they are not averse to spending on talent and listening to their soccer people. Nancy is probably the best coach in the league.
Crew legend Cucho Hernandez, who finished a close second to Lionel Messi in MVP voting last year, was sold to Spain’s Real Betis on the eve of the 2025 season. Striker Christian Ramirez was traded to the LA Galaxy. The Crew have added some depth — and, Tall professes, they have their eyes on the summer transfer window for a possible DP signing — but for now, they’re content to counter Evander with Aliyu, a relative anonymity.
Nancy just coaches them up. He likes players who can play multiple positions and has a feel for those who have the fearlessness to play in his possess-and-attack system, which requires patience, intelligence and total buy-in. It’s a team that has to play with its hair on fire, Darlington Nagbe included, until shower time.
In Nancy’s first two seasons in Columbus, the Crew went 35-15-8, won an MLS Cup (2023) and a Leagues Cup (2024) and set a raft of franchise records. Trust him, he seems to be saying, if he wants to start someone you’ve never heard of in one of the hottest rivalry games in American professional soccer.
Again, it was an excellent game. Cincinnati deserves credit for its box defending. They managed to deal with an onslaught in the second half, and they managed to squeeze out a point, on the road, against their archrivals.
Crew fans must be relatively pleased with a draw against what is a loaded team, but they might also be frustrated. In three matches against the league’s iron — at LAFC, in Cleveland against Inter Miami and home against FCC — Columbus has scored zero goals in the run of play.
The Crew trust in Nancy. Implicitly. Still, it feels like the summer transfer window can’t come fast enough.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati battle to 1-1 draw in MLS rivalry game