Crew Dominate Cincinnati 4-0 to Take Command in Round One Playoff Series

Columbus, OH — Columbus Crew delivered another masterclass performance at Lower.com Field on Sunday, dismantling Cincinnati 4-0 in Game 2 to level their best-of-three Round One playoff series at 1-1. Before 19,506 supporters, the Crew replicated their dominance from the series opener, exposing Cincinnati's defensive fragility while dictating the tempo throughout the contest. The comprehensive victory forces a decisive Game 3 and keeps Columbus's championship defense alive.

Max Arfsten opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on Cincinnati's disorganized defensive shape. Diego Rossi collected possession on the left flank before threading a perfectly weighted through ball between two defenders. Arfsten timed his run impeccably, breaking behind the backline and calmly slotting a right-footed finish past the advancing goalkeeper into the bottom corner, sending the Lower.com Field crowd into a frenzy.

The match turned decisively in Columbus's favor just eight minutes later when Cincinnati midfielder Yuya Kubo received a straight red card for a foul on Andrés Herrera near the edge of the penalty area. Dylan Chambost stepped up to take the resulting free kick in the 41st minute and delivered a moment of brilliance. The French midfielder curled a precise strike that nestled into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot and giving Columbus a commanding 2-0 halftime advantage.

Head coach Wilfried Nancy's tactical approach proved devastating against Cincinnati's undermanned side. Playing with a numerical advantage for the entire second half, Columbus built methodically from the back, utilizing their fullbacks to stretch Cincinnati horizontally before exploiting central spaces. Pat Noonan's Cincinnati struggled to establish any meaningful possession, repeatedly turning the ball over in midfield and failing to register a single shot throughout the entire match.

The first half belonged entirely to Columbus, who controlled possession while pinning Cincinnati in their defensive third. The numerical disadvantage left Cincinnati with no answers, as they found themselves stretched across the pitch and unable to mount any sustained pressure. Their only attempts at response came through sporadic counterattacks that repeatedly broke down in the final third.

Columbus continued their dominance after the interval, nullifying Cincinnati's attempts to gain a foothold in the match. The Crew's relentless pressure yielded a third goal in the 65th minute when Andrés Herrera extended the lead. Jacen Russell-Rowe provided the assist with a well-timed cross that Herrera met with a powerful finish, marking his first postseason goal and fifth strike of the season. Just four minutes later, Russell-Rowe added his name to the scoresheet, meeting Arfsten's precise cutback with a first-time finish from 12 yards that rifled into the roof of the net for his first career playoff goal.

Cincinnati's frustration mounted as the match progressed, with their attacking players increasingly isolated and outnumbered. Noonan made multiple substitutions in an attempt to change the dynamic, but Columbus maintained their defensive shape while continuing to threaten on the counter. The visitors' inability to register a single shot—on or off target—highlighted their offensive struggles, as Columbus's midfield repeatedly intercepted attempted forward passes.

The statistics painted a clear picture of Columbus's superiority. The Crew's passing accuracy reflected their technical precision and control, while Columbus generated numerous scoring opportunities. The home side's dominance extended to set pieces, where they created multiple dangerous opportunities compared to Cincinnati's ineffective delivery.

Several Columbus players delivered standout performances. Max Arfsten proved instrumental with a goal and an assist, while also contributing to Herrera's goal with the secondary assist—his first two career postseason assists. Diego Rossi's creative influence was evident throughout, providing the assist for the opening goal while creating numerous additional chances, his sixth career playoff assist. Defensively, Columbus's center-back pairing neutralized Cincinnati's attacking threats, allowing the visitors no space to operate in dangerous areas.

The victory marked the sixth time in club history that Columbus has scored four or more goals in a single playoff match, and the fourth time they've had four different goal scorers in a postseason contest. The 4-0 margin represented only the second time in franchise playoff history that the Crew has won by four or more goals, matching a 5-1 victory over D.C. United on November 7, 1999.

The best-of-three series now stands level at 1-1, forcing a decisive Game 3 that will determine which side advances to the Conference Semifinals. This marks only the second time Columbus has competed in a Game 3 during the Round One best-of-three format, with the previous occurrence coming in 2023 when they defeated Atlanta United 4-2 at Lower.com Field en route to the MLS Cup title. Based on Sunday's comprehensive performance and their ability to completely shut down Cincinnati's attack, Columbus enters the winner-take-all finale with considerable momentum and confidence in their championship pedigree.