Columbus Crew vs 25.07.26 23:152 – 1Full Time
FC Cincinnati — Major League Soccer: stats, lineups & analysis
Match report
Columbus Crew edge FC Cincinnati in seven-goal-chance thriller at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field
Columbus Crew came from behind to beat FC Cincinnati 2-1 in a Major League Soccer Regular Season - 17 fixture at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, with all three goals arriving before half-time. The result offered Laurent Courtois's side a rare win after a run that had brought only one victory in their previous five league outings.
AI-assisted match report written from official match data.
Kévin Denkey put Cincinnati ahead in the ninth minute, converting from an Evander assist to give Pat Noonan's visitors an early lead. Columbus responded before the break, with Jamal Thiaré levelling in the 41st minute after being teed up by Dylan Chambost, and Dániel Gazdag then converted a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time, in the 45+6th minute, to send the home side in front at the interval.
The second half brought no further goals, but Cincinnati's afternoon worsened in stoppage time when G. Valenzuela was sent off in the 90+4th minute, leaving the away side to close out the defeat a man short. Columbus finished with the greater share of possession and produced more shots and shots on target across the match, reflecting a first-half spell in which they turned the game around.
Roman Celentano posted the highest rating on the pitch at 8.7 despite finishing on the losing side, while Dylan Chambost's assist for Thiaré's equaliser underlined his influence on Columbus's turnaround.
Columbus held 53% of possession to Cincinnati's 47%, a modest edge that mirrored their control after falling behind.
Columbus Crew beat FC Cincinnati 2–1 (half-time 2–1).
Columbus Crew met FC Cincinnati in the Major League Soccer (Regular Season - 17). Kick-off was Saturday, 25 July 2026, 23:15 UTC at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Referee: Allen Chapman.
Team pages: Columbus Crew · FC Cincinnati · Major League Soccer
Key moments
- 9' Goal: Kévin Denkey (assist: Evander) — 0–1
- 41' Goal: Jamal Thiaré (assist: Dylan Chambost) — 1–1
- 45+6' Goal (penalty): Dániel Gazdag — 2–1
- 90+4' Red card: Gerardo Valenzuela
Starting line-ups
Columbus Crew (3-4-2-1)
FC Cincinnati (3-4-3)
- 18 Roman Celentano
- 12 Miles Robinson
- 21 Matthew Miazga
- 11 Samuel Gidi
- 66 Ender Echenique
- 5 Obinna Nwobodo
- 22 Gerardo Valenzuela
- 20 Pavel Bucha
- 10 Evander (c)
- 9 Kévin Denkey
- 17 Kenji Mboma Dem
Sirius · Why these numbers
Before kick-off Sirius gave Columbus Crew 58%, the draw 21%, FC Cincinnati 21%. It finished Columbus Crew 2–1 FC Cincinnati.
Level sides, home ground swings it — Nothing separates them on our strength rating, and Major League Soccer home advantage plus Columbus Crew's control of the ball give Columbus Crew a clear lead. The draw at 21% is nudged down by the same factors that shape the win chances.
Why Columbus Crew in front?
Home ground, mostly. Almost nothing between them on our strength rating — 1637 to 1626. Sides this close won 45.6% of 14,392 home games (draw 26.5%, visitors 27.9%). Major League Soccer home sides out-perform the global norm — and the difference mostly flows to away wins (25.8% vs 30.2%). Major League Soccer homes won 49.5% of 5,039 games vs 44.9% across all 98,308 — outside the noise band, so the tally moves accordingly. Columbus Crew hold 13 more possession points (60 to 47 in recent games) — and between equals, control has been worth something. Between evenly-matched sides, home teams with this control edge won 48.0% of 5,137 games, vs 44.0% when styles were level.
Why only 58%?
Because on our strength rating there is nothing in it. Level sides split the rest: the draw at 21% and FC Cincinnati at 21%.
Why is the draw only 21%?
Between sides this level the draw starts at 26.5%. These teams' recent games average 4.3 goals — a high-scoring environment. Games in that environment drew 22.8% of 16,708. The cool-off factor takes 2.3 points off the draw. The goals environment takes 2.2 points off the draw.
What did we measure but not count?
FC Cincinnati have gained 67 strength-rating points over their last 10 games. Momentum is measured but not yet proven: climbing sides won 41.4% of 11,987 such games vs 40.7% class-expected — inside the noise band, so it stays at 0 points until the receipt clears its evidence bar.
Sirius probabilities, frozen at kick-off. Analysis, not betting advice. How Sirius is doing this season · Full breakdown, evidence cards and squad news in the Match Insights tab
About this match
On this page: the Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati final score and result, goal highlights and video clips of every goal, who scored, starting lineups, match stats and the full match report from this Major League Soccer fixture.
- Who scored and when — a goal-by-goal timeline of the match.
- Match stats — possession, shots, expected goals (xG), corners and cards.
- Starting lineups and player ratings for both teams.
- Head-to-head record and recent form for both sides.
Watch the goals: goal highlights and video clips of every goal from Columbus Crew 2–1 FC Cincinnati. Explore more on the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati team pages or the Major League Soccer page.
Quick answers
›What was the final score of Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati?
Columbus Crew beat FC Cincinnati 2–1 (half-time 2–1).
›Who scored in Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati?
Kévin Denkey (9') for FC Cincinnati; Jamal Thiaré (41') for Columbus Crew; Dániel Gazdag (45+6') (penalty) for Columbus Crew.
›Where can I watch Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati highlights?
Goal highlights and video clips from Columbus Crew 2–1 FC Cincinnati are on this page — open the videos tab to watch every goal.
›What is the head-to-head record between Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati?
Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati have met 10 times — 4 wins for Columbus Crew, 4 wins for FC Cincinnati and 2 draws.