Lower.com Field, home of the Columbus Crew, is set to host the second match of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs round of three series on November 2, 2025, at 7:30 PM ET. Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati have already faced each other in the first match of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
With a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead thanks to Kévin Denkey’s goal. If Columbus wins Game 2, the series will head back to Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium for a decisive Game 3 on Nov. 8.
The Orange & Blue, No. 7 seed surging with a stoppage-time Yuya Kubo penalty in Game 1 on October 27 (despite Acosta’s February exit to Dallas), face a must-win Black & Gold desperate to force a decider.
Columbus, defending MLS Cup champs and East No. 2 (57 points), peppered Celentano with 18 shots but blanked, now riding a 14-game home unbeaten streak at Lower.com Field. Wilfried Nancy confirms Diego Rossi (hamstring cleared) return, boosting defender sans long-term Rudy Camacho (knee).
Cincinnati, per Pat Noonan updates, welcomes Matt Miazga (leg cleared) but misses Lukas Engel, Brad Smith. This “Hell Is Real” derby—Ohio’s bitter feud—escalates, with Columbus favored to level and extend to Game 3.
Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati Match Date, Time, Predictions, and More
Game 2 amplifies the rivalry’s chaos: Columbus’s press (14 turnovers forced/game) vs. Cincinnati’s counters (1.4 goals away). Kickoff: Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 7:30 PM ET (4:30 PM PT) at Lower.com Field. USA/Canada, evening showdown; Aussies, Monday morning.
- Predictions: Columbus 2-1 win, forcing Game 3 home edge trumps Cincinnati’s road slips.
Team News and Analysis
Columbus’s impressive 12-4-1 record in the last playoffs showcased creativity in Game 1 but struggled with finishing.
Rossi (16 goals this season), the full squad is rested and ready. Darlington Nagbe, completing 85% of his passes, anchors the team in what may be his final season. Wilfried Nancy’s 3-4-3 system emphasizes possession (59%) and thrives on transitions, with set pieces contributing 28% of their goals.
Cincinnati’s upset—edging Orlando in Wild Card—thrives on Kubo’s poise (8 goals), but Acosta’s Dallas move (Feb ’25, $5M+) shifts to Evander (48 G/A two seasons, Portland arrival ’25). Miazga probable (leg); Engel/Smith/Jabbari out (mid-Nov). Noon’s 4-2-3-1 (12 turnovers forced) counters sharply but concedes 1.6 away.
Analysis: Columbus’s roar (14 unbeaten home) vs. Cincinnati’s grit; sets (Crew strength) target zonal gaps. Frantic derby, Rossi tilts half two—Black & Gold rebound.
Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati Head-to-Head Record
Columbus leads 9-4-6; won four of last six pre-Game 1. Average 3.22 goals, overs in 70% derbies.
All-time H2H
| Date | Competition | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 2025 | MLS Playoffs | FC Cincinnati 1-0 Columbus | 1-0 |
| Jul 13, 2025 | MLS Regular | Columbus 2-1 FC Cincinnati | 2-1 |
| Mar 16, 2025 | MLS Regular | FC Cincinnati 0-2 Columbus | 0-2 |
| Oct 7, 2024 | MLS Regular | Columbus 3-2 FC Cincinnati | 3-2 |
| Jun 29, 2024 | MLS Regular | FC Cincinnati 1-1 Columbus | 1-1 |
Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati Predicted XI Lineups
Columbus Crew (3-4-3): Schulte; Moreira, Zawadzki, Amundsen; Herrera, Nagbe, Chambost, Farsi; Rossi, Cucho Hernández, Russell-Rowe.
FC Cincinnati (4-2-3-1): Celentano; Hadebe, Miazga, Mosquera, Samuels; B. Acosta, Evander; Valenzuela, Orellano, Kubo; Denkey.
Nancy/Noon updates: Crew Rossi right, Cucho central; Cincinnati Evander AM post-Acosta, Miazga if fit. Subs: Molino (Crew), Murphy (Cincinnati).
Key Players
- Columbus Crew: Diego Rossi – Winger’s pace (12 goals, 2.4 dribbles/game) shreds rights; return ignites derby fire vs. Cincinnati’s backline.
- FC Cincinnati: Evander – Playmaker’s vision (10 assists, 48 G/A two seasons) replaces Acosta; key passes (1.7/game) fuel Kubo’s runs.
Match Prediction – Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati
Columbus’s home fury and Rossi’s spark eclipse Cincinnati’s pluck in a derby inferno, snatching victory to force Game 3 amid chaos. Orange rally, but Gold prevails. Predicted score: Columbus Crew 2-1 FC Cincinnati. Decider at TQL next weekend.
Where to Watch Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati MLS Cup Playoffs
Stream Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati with MLS playoffs feeds:
| Country | Tv Broadcating |
|---|---|
| USA | Apple TV MLS Season Pass; FuboTV. 7:30 PM ET. |
| Canada | DAZN or RDS. 7:30 PM ET |
| Australia | beIN Sports. 10:30 AM AEDT (Nov 3) |
| Europe | Apple TV MLS Season Pass; Sky Sports. beIN (France/Spain), DAZN (Germany/Italy) |