FC Cincinnati Beat: Orange and Blue exorcise “Hell is Real Derby” demons in thrilling 2-1, Game 3 win to advance

CINCINNATI — If FC Cincinnati fans felt like they had seen a similar movie when Columbus Crew forward Jacques Russel-Rowe scored a 63rd-minute goal to put the Crew up 1-0, their feelings would have been valid. After all, this is Cincinnati in the Playoffs. FC Cincinnati, despite not having been around as long as the Reds, Bengals, Bearcats, or Musketeers, have not been immune from playoff heartbreak this city is, unfortunately, synonymous with.

But Saturday night played out differently. When it felt like heartbreak was knocking on the door again, with Crew fans celebrating throughout TQL Stadium and Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy celebrating on the sidelines with a smiling expression as if that first goal would decide the match, FC Cincinnati responded.

Striker Brenner connected on goals in the 67th and 86th minutes to flip the 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. Cincinnati’s defense held on through the next three minutes and nine minutes in stoppage time to preserve the 2-1 win and win the First Round series 2-1.

“[It was] a fun ending to the night,” FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said. “It was nice to see the fans enjoy that moment with the players and staff members. It was certainly an important step in our goal to win a trophy. So, really pleased for how everybody is feeling at the moment, and we’ll enjoy it, and then put our heads down and go again.”

For as intense and focused a head coach as Pat Noonan is, even he sounded like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. That’s because this club exorcised demons that had been nearly two years in the making.

“My wife’s never on the field after the game and I saw her, so that was strange to see,” Noonan said. “I always enjoy the families on the field after the game and the player and staff members being with their loved ones. That is special. How many fans stuck around – that was different. Their energy, their support all night was electric.”

After winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2023, FC Cincinnati hosted the Crew in the Eastern Conference Finals and held a late 2-0 lead before falling 3-2 in extra time. It was their first experience of playoff heartbreak at the MLS level, especially with the loss coming against their biggest rivals.

“Two years ago was a long time ago. A lot has happened,” Noonan said. “Unless we’re playing in the final game and winning, it’s always going to feel like that. We have expectations to be in that game and win trophies. When that doesn’t happen, there will always be disappointment. While the feeling is very important for everybody within the club, the fans, this isn’t the end goal.

“It’s just unique how we’re able to get over this hurdle, and hopefully we can ride some momentum, have a good couple of weeks, and prepare for our next opponent in a good way and not think that we’ve accomplished our goal.”

Columbus has consistently held an upper hand over Cincinnati, employing an aggressive offensive attack that puts relentless pressure on the defense. Cincinnati drew with Columbus on the road in the regular season, before letting an early 2-0 lead slip away to a 4-2 loss at home in July.

It was only fitting that these two teams drew each other in the First Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs this season, presenting an opportunity for FC Cincinnati to avenge what happened in what should have been a championship season in 2023.

Even though Columbus routed Cincinnati 4-0 at Lower.com Field last Sunday and went ahead 1-0 Saturday night at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati made the plays and goals that mattered in its two home matches this series.

“It was important to get the momentum back that quickly and not have a period of time go on where you’re losing your confidence or your discipline or taking on more pressure,” Noonan said. “It’s immediately we get the goal back and immediately we get the momentum back and settle the nerves a little bit. That was very important in the aftermath of that goal. Credit to those guys for how they managed the immediate stretch after we conceded the goal.”

Even though the Columbus Demons have been conquered, there is still more to accomplish for FC Cincinnati. Now advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the third time in four seasons, Cincinnati will host either No. 3 seed Miami on either November 22nd or 23rd.

The date and time of that match will be announced once all First Round playoff matches have been completed.

Cincinnati beat Miami 3-0 at home on July 16th and tied 0-0 at Miami on July 26th.