MLS
Few rivalries in Major League Soccer capture the passion, regional pride, and on-field drama like the Hell is Real derby — and Saturday night’s showdown promises to deliver more than just bragging rights. FC Cincinnati, winners of four straight matches and perched atop the Supporters’ Shield race, host the resurgent Columbus Crew in what will be the 18th official edition of this now-iconic cross-state battle. Kickoff at TQL Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, broadcast nationally on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
The Hell is Real derby traces its name to the infamous roadside sign along Interstate 71 connecting Cincinnati and Columbus. Since the inaugural match in 2017 — a U.S. Open Cup clash that saw then-USL-side Cincinnati knock off the Crew — the rivalry has only intensified as both clubs have matured into Eastern Conference powerhouses.
Cincinnati enters Saturday’s fixture at 13-5-3 (42 points), narrowly leading the Crew (10-3-8, 38 points) in the standings. For Pat Noonan’s men, the match is about extending a club-record winning streak and cementing control over a rival they’ve increasingly gotten the better of in recent meetings. An Orange and Blue victory would secure four of six points from Columbus for a second straight season — a notable feat given the Crew’s reputation as one of the most consistent sides in MLS.
Home advantage is a significant factor for FCC. Saturday’s derby is the second of three consecutive home matches, with TQL Stadium once again expected to be electric. The club is calling on supporters to “Orange Out” the venue — a visual reminder that Cincinnati’s soccer heartbeat pulses brightly in Ohio.
There’s plenty of cause for optimism in the Queen City. Star midfielder Evander has hit a remarkable run of form, with goals in three straight matches and a chance to match the club’s record for consecutive MLS scoring games. His proficiency from dead-ball situations and long-range strikes — he leads MLS in both free-kick goals and goals outside the box — gives Cincinnati a unique weapon that can break open tight contests.
Meanwhile, defensive anchor Miles Robinson returns from a stint with the U.S. Men’s National Team at the Concacaf Gold Cup, bolstering a back line that has been instrumental in recent results. And veteran center back Matt Miazga is on the cusp of his 100th MLS appearance — a milestone that highlights the blend of experience and momentum propelling FCC’s Shield ambitions.
On the other side of the I-71 divide, Columbus arrive with the fewest losses in MLS this season and plenty of grit under Wilfried Nancy’s leadership. Despite the high-profile departure of striker Cucho Hernández, the Crew have maintained their status as an elite possession-based side, leading MLS with nearly 60% average possession in 2025.
Key to their sustained threat is Diego Rossi, the Uruguayan talisman whose 10 goals pace the team. Rossi’s ability to conjure goals from seemingly nothing — as he did with his penalty equalizer in May’s 1-1 draw — means Cincinnati’s back line must be perfectly organized. Complementing Rossi are young forward Jacen Russell-Rowe, quietly putting together a career-best season, and veteran captain Darlington Nagbe, who remains one of the league’s most intelligent midfield engines even in his 15th season.
However, the Crew’s depth will be tested. The goalkeeper situation remains unsettled: usual starter Patrick Schulte has been sidelined since the first Hell is Real match this year, and veteran Evan Bush, 39, may once again get the nod. Defensively, the absence of 2024 MLS All-Star Rudy Camacho continues to limit options, though Max Arfsten’s return from international duty offers needed flexibility on the flanks.
What makes Hell is Real special isn’t just the table implications — though both clubs are jostling for playoff seeding and the chance to capture the Shield — but the emotion embedded in every tackle, chant, and moment of brilliance. The rivalry amplifies ordinary matchday energy, forging memories that live well beyond 90 minutes.
“This game feels different — you feel it in the training ground, you feel it when you walk into the stadium,” said Noonan during Thursday’s press conference. “It’s about representing the club and the city with pride, but also showing the league what Cincinnati football is about.”
Evander echoed his coach’s sentiments, emphasizing how the roar of the home crowd acts as a twelfth man: “There’s no better atmosphere than playing at home when the fans are behind you. It pushes us to that extra level.”
What’s striking about this rivalry in 2025 is how it encapsulates MLS’s broader evolution. Just a few years ago, the Hell is Real derby was a compelling but niche fixture — today, it’s a showcase for some of the league’s best tactical setups, emerging stars, and veteran stalwarts.
Cincinnati’s methodical squad-building and consistent Shield contention prove they’re no longer just the plucky newcomers who knocked off Columbus in a cup tie. They’re now a model club with depth, a fortress-like stadium, and an ever-growing fan base.
Meanwhile, Columbus under Nancy continue to set the standard for possession-based attacking soccer, even while weathering injuries and roster transitions. That adaptability — and their uncanny knack for finding results in high-pressure moments — is what makes them so dangerous.
Add the fact that the Crew have been slightly more vulnerable away from Lower.com Field this season (a modest 3-2-4 road record) and the edge shifts to Cincinnati. But in derbies, form often goes out the window — the team that controls the midfield, stays disciplined defensively, and seizes the big moment usually comes out on top.
For fans across Ohio — and a growing national audience tuning in on Apple TV — Saturday’s Hell is Real will be more than just three points. It’s a statement of who runs the Buckeye State in 2025, who is serious about MLS Cup contention, and who can stand tallest when passion and pride collide.
If you’re lucky enough to be at TQL Stadium, wear your brightest orange. If you’re watching from afar, expect intensity, drama, and a reminder that when these two clubs meet, Hell is very much Real.
Kickoff: Saturday, July 12, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Local Radio: ESPN 1530 (English), La Mega 101.5 FM (Spanish)
For more matchday details, visit FCCincinnati.com and get ready for one of MLS’s fiercest rivalries to write its next chapter.
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