Columbus Crew cruise to 4-0 win, force Game 3 vs FC Cincinnati

COLUMBUS, OH - The Columbus Crew delivered in Game 2 of the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs first round, defeating in-state rivals FC Cincinnati 4-0 on Sunday evening. Max Arfsten, Dylan Chambost, Andres Herrera, and Jacen Russell-Rowe were the heroes for the Black & Gold in this must-win match. Now, attention turns to a decisive Game 3 in Cincinnati at TQL Stadium this Saturday. 

Columbus started aggressively. With Cincinnati missing Nick Hagglund, head coach Pat Noonan opted for a more conservative backline compared to Game 1. This let the Crew control possession, dominating with 62% of possession. 

Arfsten opened the scoring in the 33rd minute after receiving a pass from Diego Rossi, beating Roman Celentano and finishing left-footed into the net. The Orange and Blue were left searching for answers. 

Matters worsened for Cincinnati as Yuya Kubo received a straight red for a foul on Herrera, who was through on goal. Kubo, already on a yellow for an earlier foul, will miss Game 3. 

On the resulting free kick, Chambost scored his first MLS playoff goal in the 41st minute, doubling the lead. 

"“It's been a long time. I told him that I have gray hair now (laughter). When he was in [Paris] Saint-Étienne, he was scoring all the time on free kicks so yeah… (laughter).”"

Wilfried Nancy, Columbus Crew Head Coach

The Crew led 2-0 at halftime, but has often struggled to close out games.

In the second half, Columbus dominated further, controlling 70% possession and preventing Cincinnati from recording a shot. 

Herrera, key to the Crew’s first-half success, scored in the 65th minute after a cross from Russell-Rowe, exploiting defender Lukas Engel's positioning for a 3-0 lead. Four minutes later, Russell-Rowe made it 4-0, finishing a cross from Arfsten.

It’s now up to the Black & Gold to finish the job on the road again, in hopes of advancing to the Conference semifinals. 

"“This is a good challenge for my staff and myself. The idea is to be honest with them. When this is good, this is good; when this is not good, we have to tell them. I think that they felt it, also. That's why they had this kind of flow. As you know, the next game is going to be a battle. Again, I like when it is this kind of situation because it's a good exercise for us to focus on the process, knowing that this is the only thing that we can adjust and control. We're going to have a good week – rest, regen, take care of themselves, feel good and to be able to be back and to have a good performance the next game.”"

Wilfried Nancy, Columbus Crew Head Coach

Kickoff from TQL Stadium is set for 6 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.