FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew SC | 2019 MLS Match Preview

2019 MLS Regular Season – Week 25
FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew SC
Nippert Stadium - Cincinnati
August 25 – 6:00 PM ET

TV: FS1

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada

After neither team could claim victory in Round 1 at MAPFRE Stadium, Hell is Real makes it way to Nippert Stadium for the second MLS meeting between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew SC Sunday night.

FC Cincinnati (5-18-3) took an early lead, but conceded four unanswered goals in a 4-1 defeat to NYCFC Saturday at home, the club's sixth loss in the last seven matches. Allan Cruz opened the scoring in the 30th minute, but NYCFC's equalizer came just two minutes later on the first of two Taty Castellanos goals. Heber also netted a brace for the visitors.

Crew SC (7-15-6) had a six-match unbeaten streak snapped and extended a four-match winless run following a 1-0 defeat to NYCFC at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night. Castellanos scored the lone goal in the 36th minute and while the insertion of Pedro Santos in the second half provided a spark, Columbus were unable to get the equalizer.

This is the second all-time MLS meeting with the teams sharing the points in a 2-2 draw at MAPFRE Stadium Aug. 10. FC Cincinnati came out flying and opened up a two-goal lead through Darren Mattocks and Emmanuel Ledesma inside the opening half hour. Gyasi Zardes struck from the penalty spot, Pedro Santos leveled in the 62nd minute and Zardes had three golden chances for a late winner, but a decisive goal wasn't to be had.

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus

Sunday, August 25 at 6:00 PM ET
Nippert Stadium

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FC Cincinnati

Injury Report:
- OUT: Jimmy McLaughlin (M) - right ACL surgery
- QUESTIONABLE: Mathieu Deplagne (D) - neck, wrist injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Leo Bertone (M) - groin injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Fanendo Adi (F) - calf injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Frankie Amaya (M) - groin injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Spencer Richey (GK) - back injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Kendall Waston (D), Allan Cruz (M)
International duty: None

Columbus Crew SC

Injury Report:
- OUT: Federico Higuain (M) - right knee injury
- OUT: Milton Valenzuela (D) - right knee injury
- OUT: Hector Jimenez (D) - left knee injury
- OUT: Waylon Francis (D) - left thigh injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Aboubacar Keita (D) - left thigh injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Alex Crognale (D), Jonathan Mensah (D)
International duty: None

Series Matchup at FC Cincinnati

This is the first regular-season meeting between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew SC at Nippert Stadium. The teams played to a 2-2 draw at MAPFRE Stadium in the first all-time MLS meeting Aug. 10