Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati Preview: Hell Is Real Renews at a Crossroads

Hell Is Real Returns: Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati Preview

Ohio’s biggest rivalry renews this weekend as Columbus Crew host FC Cincinnati at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on Saturday, kicking off at 7:15pm ET. Both sides arrive in wildly different form, which only adds to the intrigue of a fixture that’s been dubbed Hell Is Real since Cincinnati’s arrival in MLS turned a one-club state into a genuine derby.Why So Much of the World Wanted Argentina to Fail

The Situation

It’s been a rocky 2026 for Columbus. Henrik Rydström was sacked after winning just three of his 14 games in charge, with former Crew 2 coach Laurent Courtois brought in to stabilize things. Courtois won his first two matches before the FIFA World Cup break, but the momentum didn’t carry over — Columbus have lost four of their last six league matches and sit deep in the Eastern Conference table with four wins, four draws and eight defeats from 16 games. Their defense has been the biggest issue, compounded by the summer sale of top scorer Diego Rossi to Liga MX and a torn ACL for striker Wessam Abou Ali that’s left the Crew without a proven finisher up top.

Cincinnati, by contrast, arrive in exactly the kind of form that makes this fixture dangerous for the hosts. Pat Noonan’s side have scored freely all season, racking up 18 goals across their last five matches, and head into the weekend on the back of consecutive wins including a thrilling 4-3 victory over Vancouver. The catch is that their defense has been nearly as leaky as their attack has been prolific — Cincinnati have conceded 40 league goals, the second-worst total in MLS behind only Orlando, setting up a match with goals at both ends written all over it.

Expected Lineups

Columbus have injury concerns to navigate, with Brooks Lennon, Andre Gomes and Wessam Abou Ali all sidelined. Courtois is expected to go with something close to a 4-4-2, with Patrick Schulte in goal behind a back line of Mohamed Farsi, Sean Zawadzki, Rudy Camacho and Malte Amundsen. Daniel Gazdag, who scored off the bench last time out, could earn a recall to the starting XI alongside Jamal Thiare up top, with Max Arfsten, Nariman Akhundzade and Taha Habroune providing width and midfield support. Summer signings Brais Méndez and Eric Bailly give Courtois fresh options if he wants to freshen things up further.

Cincinnati travel with a fully fit squad, which gives Noonan real selection depth. Miles Robinson endured a difficult outing last time out and could make way for Kyle Smith or Teenage Hadebe at the back. In attack, wholesale changes look unlikely: Pavel Bucha is in confident form after a brace in his last outing, while Evander and Kévin Denkey are both expected to keep their places. Bryan Ramírez impressed off the bench recently and could push for a starting role on the flank.

Head-to-Head

History gives Columbus a slight edge in this fixture. The Crew have won 10 of the previous 22 meetings between the two clubs, with six draws and six defeats. The rivalry carries extra weight given Columbus’s 2023 triumph over Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference final, a game the Crew came back from two goals down to win on their way to lifting the MLS Cup that season — a result Cincinnati fans have not forgotten heading into this latest chapter of Hell Is Real.

Stars to Watch

Evander remains Cincinnati’s creative heartbeat, and his ability to unlock a shaky Columbus back line will be central to how open this match becomes. Kévin Denkey offers the finishing touch alongside him, while Pavel Bucha’s recent scoring form adds a goal threat from a deeper role that Columbus will need to account for.

For the hosts, Daniel Gazdag is the obvious focal point if he’s recalled to the XI, given his knack for arriving in the right positions even during a difficult team-wide campaign. New signing Brais Méndez also warrants attention — the former Real Sociedad man has the quality to change Columbus’s attacking fortunes if Courtois trusts him with a bigger role, while Eric Bailly’s experience could offer some much-needed composure at the back against Cincinnati’s dangerous front line.

The Bottom Line

With Cincinnati’s attack in red-hot form and Columbus’s defense short of confidence, the ingredients are in place for an open, high-scoring renewal of Hell Is Real. Columbus have the history and the home advantage; Cincinnati have the momentum and the firepower. Whichever side tightens up defensively for even one half is likely to walk away with the points.

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