This Saturday, brace yourselves for a thrilling spectacle as the top-seeded FC Cincinnati faces off against the third-seeded Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Final at the iconic TQL Stadium (6 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
This matchup is nothing short of an MLS eclipse, reminiscent of the excitement generated by the clash between Toronto FC and CF Montréal in 2016.
Match Summary:
Conference Finals: 2nd December, 2023
Kickoff Time: 6:00 pm ET
FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew
Venue: Cincinnati, Ohio
TV Broadcast: Apple TV
FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus 2023 MLS Eastern Conference Final
In the past decade, only one Conference Final has mirrored the intensity of a team battling their arch-rival, and that was the memorable Canadian Classique derby in 2016.
Fast forward to 2023, and the Hell is Real derby between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew is poised to deliver equal, if not greater, fireworks.
The history between these Ohio-based clubs is nothing short of dramatic. In the last six encounters, four have produced four or more goals, highlighting the offensive prowess of both teams.
A standout moment in this year’s power shift was the late May 2023 clash, where Cincinnati triumphed over Columbus with a narrow 3-2 victory—a prelude to their eventual lifting of the Supporters’ Shield.
FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus 2023 MLS Live Stream
Adding an extra layer of excitement to the matchup is the announcement made in June 2022. Apple Inc. and MLS inked a groundbreaking ten-year partnership, granting broadcast and streaming rights to all MLS and Leagues Cup games on the MLS Season Pass service within the Apple TV app.
This move reshaped the landscape of MLS broadcasting, with Fox Sports retaining linear MLS TV rights, ESPN bowing out of airing matches for the first time in league history, and Univision exclusively focusing on Leagues Cup games.
As the tension builds and fans eagerly anticipate the clash between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew, the stage is set for a historic showdown in the MLS Eastern Conference Final.
Make sure to tune in at 6 pm ET and catch the action unfold on the MLS Season Pass. This is a matchup that promises to go down in the annals of MLS history.
FC Cincinnati Current Roster
| Player | Pos. |
|---|---|
| Alec Kann | GK |
| Roman Celentano (GA) | GK |
| Paul Walters (HG) | GK |
| Evan Louro | GK |
| Alvas Powell | DF |
| Joey Akpunonu (GA) | DF |
| Nick Hagglund | DF |
| Santiago Arias (INTL) | DF |
| Yerson Mosquera (INTL) | DF |
| Matt Miazga | DF |
| Ray Gaddis | DF |
| Ian Murphy | DF |
| Isaiah Foster | DF |
| Stiven Jimenez (HG) | DF |
| Bret Halsey | DF |
| London Aghedo | DF |
| Obinna Nwobodo (INTL, DP) | MF |
| Marco Angulo (INTL) | MF |
| Luciano Acosta (DP) | MF |
| Malik Pinto | MF |
| Álvaro Barreal | MF |
| Ben Stitz | MF |
| Gerardo Valenzuela (HG) | MF |
| Júnior Moreno | MF |
| Yuya Kubo | FW |
| Aaron Boupendza (INTL, DP) | FW |
| Dominique Badji | FW |
| Sérgio Santos | FW |
| Brandon Vazquez | FW |
| Arquimides Ordóñez (HG) | FW |
As the sun sets on the eve of the MLS Eastern Conference Final, anticipation hangs in the air like a charged atmosphere at TQL Stadium.
The clash between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew is not just a battle for supremacy within the conference; it’s a continuation of a fierce rivalry that has seen both teams leave an indelible mark on the league.
With a backdrop of a decade-long history where such high-stakes confrontations have been rare, this showdown stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of soccer.
The Hell is Real derby promises an abundance of goals, drama, and the kind of edge-of-the-seat action that has defined their recent encounters.
Columbus Crew’s Current Roster
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Philip Quinton | DF |
| Josh Williams | DF |
| Rudy Camacho | DF |
| Darlington Nagbe | MF |
| Julian Gressel | DF |
| Aidan Morris | MF |
| Cucho Hernández | FW |
| Diego Rossi | FW |
| Gustavo Vallecilla | DF |
| Kevin Molino | FW |
| Yaw Yeboah | MF |
| Isaiah Parente | MF |
| Christian Ramirez | FW |
| Malte Amundsen | DF |
| Jacen Russell-Rowe | FW |
| Alexandru Mățan | FW |
| Yevhen Cheberko | DF |
| Mohamed Farsi | DF |
| Evan Bush | GK |
| Sean Zawadzki | MF |
| Maximilian Arfsten | FW |
| Patrick Schulte | GK |
| Will Sands | MF |
| Steven Moreira | DF |
| Brady Scott | GK |
| Jimmy Medranda | DF |
Furthermore, the partnership between Apple Inc. and MLS, reshaping the landscape of soccer broadcasting, adds an intriguing layer to the spectacle.
With the MLS Season Pass bringing the action to screens across the nation, fans are in for a treat as they witness history unfold.
As we gear up for a clash that transcends mere competition and delves into the realm of legacy, one can’t help but marvel at the unpredictability that the beautiful game offers.
The Eastern Conference Final is more than a game; it’s a narrative, and on Saturday night, the protagonists, FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew, will script the next thrilling chapter.
So, fasten your seatbelts, soccer enthusiasts, for this promises to be a ride into the heart of MLS history.
