In an even match inside TQL Stadium in Cincinnati with a 25,513 sold-out crowd looking on, the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati drew to a 0-0 result on Saturday evening.

It was a competitive game in the midfield and no team could earn the decisive goal to deliver the victory. Even though the visitors had registered more shots during the game (9) than the hosts (7), the ball possession split evenly at nearly 50% for each side. With this result, the Crew remains third in the MLS standings with 50 points and a game in hand, just two points behind Cincinnati.

The game began as a game with both teams feeling out one another. Like a heavyweight boxing match, each side felt the other out with little action for the first 10 minutes. Each team shared possession of the ball and had minimal opportunities to challenge either team’s goal.

The first dangerous attack of the night came in the 13th minute when defender Mohamed Farsi sent a deep ball to Cucho Hernandez, who had open space to carry it to the box and find forward Diego Rossi. However, Rossi’s last-ditch slide didn’t reach ball and his shot was off target.

The Black & Gold knocked on goalkeeper Ramon Celentano’s door in the 18th minute when Hernandez, following an individual dribble close to Cincinnati’s box, found forward Christian Ramirez, but his shot was blocked by Celetano and the score remained level.

Cincinnati’s first serious chance occured in the 24th minute when midfielder Yuya Kubo’s crossed ball was delivered to midfielder Luciano Acosta, but his control was not accurate and goalkeeper Patrick Schulte caught the rebound.

A minute later, attacker Kevin Kelsy’s shot from outside the box went wide Schulte’s far post.

Ramirez connected on a long ball to Cucho but the Colombian’s touch failed him and Kubo won the possession of the ball for the hosts.

One of Cincinnati’s best weapons to damage the Crew was midfielder Luca Orellano’s one on one dribbling on the right side of the field, something that they took advantage in the 35th minute when Orellano beat defender Max Arfsten and cut inside for a left-foot shot that was caught by Schulte. It was a venomous strike, but it certainly got the attention of the Black & Gold.

Following a deep ball to Acosta, his shot passed over the left shoulder of Schulte before settling in the back of the netm but he mistimed his run and it was ruled offside.

The second half kicked off with a scary collusion as Cincinnati forward Nicholas Gioacchini and Columbus defender Rudy Camacho met head-on. Luckily both were okay as each combatant was bandaged up and continued in the match.

In the 61st minute, Cucho caught a crossed ball in the box but his chance went above the crossbar and the score remained tied.

Defender Sean Zawadski’s header in the 74th minute off a corner almost gave the Crew the lead, but the ball was grabbed by Celentano.

Just three minutes later, defender Alvas Powell dribbled between two Crew players and tried a long-distance shot, which went slightly outside the post.

Jacen Russell-Rowe emerged as a substitute late in the game and nearly made his mark. The Canadian international chested the ball coming from the right side of the field, but the ball was deflected by the goalkeeper and sent to the corner kick.

Time expired as neither team could find the difference maker and the score finished level at 0-0.

Playoffs

Despite the lack of a result on Saturday evening, the Columbus Crew clinched a spot in the playoffs where they look to defend their crown as league champion.

No revenge

Columbus couldn’t exact revenge for its 2-1 loss back on May 11th, but if these two teams continue on their trajectory, its likely we get another rubber match in the playoffs when the stakes are amplified even greater.

Up next

The Black & Gold head North of the Border to Canada to face Toronto FC on Wednesday, September 18th with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.