In a tightly contested Ohio Derby, FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew played to a scoreless draw at TQL Stadium on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 25,513 fans. While the game may have lacked goals, it was anything but short on drama as both teams battled for Eastern Conference supremacy in Major League Soccer (MLS).
With the draw, FC Cincinnati (16-8-4, 52 points) officially clinched a spot in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, marking their third consecutive playoff appearance. The result keeps the Orange and Blue in second place in the MLS Eastern Conference, holding off the Crew (14-5-8, 50 points), who remain close behind in third place.
The game marked a milestone for several players. Alvas Powell made his 100th appearance for FC Cincinnati, becoming just the sixth player in club history to reach the century mark. Roman Celentano added to his already impressive goalkeeping record, earning his 30th career clean sheet in all competitions, with this being his seventh in the 2024 regular season. The defensive stalemate also earned Cincinnati their 43rd clean sheet in MLS regular season play since joining the league in 2019.
Despite the lack of goals, the game was filled with action, with both teams creating opportunities. Columbus led the match with 12 shots compared to Cincinnati’s 8, but Celentano stood tall, recording three crucial saves. His counterpart, Patrick Schulte, was equally strong, denying two of Cincinnati’s shots on goal. The possession battle was almost even, with Cincinnati slightly edging Columbus 51% to 49%.
Saturday’s result marked Cincinnati’s first draw since March 30, a 0-0 tie against Charlotte FC. It was also the 14th scoreless draw for Cincinnati since they joined MLS in 2019, a testament to the team’s defensive resilience over the years.
The Orange and Blue now face a challenging week on the road, starting with a midweek clash against Minnesota United on Wednesday, Sept. 18, followed by a trip to Nashville SC on Saturday, Sept. 21. Fans can catch the action live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or listen locally on iHeart Media ESPN 1530 in English and La Mega 97.7 FM in Spanish.
FC Cincinnati will return home on Saturday, Sept. 28, to take on LAFC for Noche Latina, where limited tickets remain available. As playoff excitement builds, Cincinnati will be looking to close out the regular season strong, backed by their passionate fan base and a formidable defensive unit.
Game Notes:
- FC Cincinnati qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season.
- The draw marked FC Cincinnati’s 14th scoreless tie since joining MLS, the second against Columbus.
- Roman Celentano recorded his 30th clean sheet in all competitions and seventh of the season.
- TQL Stadium experienced its 12th sellout of the season.
- Alvas Powell made his 100th appearance for FC Cincinnati.
The match stats further highlight the balance between the teams, with Columbus slightly edging Cincinnati in shots, while both sides were evenly matched in possession. With playoff spots on the line, both teams showed their quality and defensive resilience in a high-stakes matchup.
Match Stats Summary:
- Shots: CIN 8 / CLB 12
- Shots on Goal: CIN 2 / CLB 3
- Saves: CIN 3 / CLB 2
- Corner Kicks: CIN 1 / CLB 4
- Fouls: CIN 13 / CLB 16
- Possession: CIN 51% / CLB 49%
As FC Cincinnati look ahead to the final stretch of the season, fans will be eagerly watching as their team continues its quest for postseason success.
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