FC Cincinnati secured a 1-0 victory against the Columbus Crew in Game 1 of their best-of-three MLS playoff series, reigniting the "Hell is Real" derby rivalry [1]. Kévin Denkey's decisive goal in the 78th minute propelled Cincinnati to a crucial lead in the series [7]. The match, held at TQL Stadium, showcased a tense and tight postseason battle, ultimately decided by Denkey's close-range finish [3].
Key Moments
The first half saw both teams feeling each other out, with Cincinnati displaying more pace and possession early on [17]. Despite Cincinnati's initial pressure, neither side could break the deadlock, resulting in a 0-0 score at halftime [13, 20]. Columbus had their biggest chance in the 49th minute, but Cincinnati's defense held strong [13]. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano even sat on the ball for about 45 seconds in the penalty area early in the match [17]. The crucial moment arrived in the 78th minute when a pass found Denkey, who managed to put a boot on the ball and score [20]. Alvas Powell played a role in the victory [8].
The Road Ahead
FC Cincinnati will look to clinch the series sweep and advance to the conference semifinals in Game 2 [4, 16]. However, they must be wary of Columbus' urgency to find solutions and create more chances [6]. Game 2 is scheduled to take place in Columbus [19]. Reflecting on the match, Crew's Arfsten emphasized the need for boldness in taking chances and risks in front of the goal [6]. Cincinnati previously lost Game 2 against NYCFC 3-1, forcing a Game 3 that they eventually lost on penalty kicks [4].
TL;DR
* FC Cincinnati defeated Columbus Crew 1-0 in Game 1 of their MLS playoff series thanks to a late goal by Kévin Denkey [1, 7]. * The tense match, marked by few clear chances, saw both teams locked in a defensive battle until Denkey's breakthrough [17, 20]. * FC Cincinnati now leads the series 1-0 and will look to close it out in Game 2 in Columbus [16, 19]. * Columbus Crew needs to be more decisive in attack to avoid elimination [6].