CINCINNATI — It's going to be a "Hell is Real" face-off in the MLS Eastern Conference Final as the Columbus Crew take on FC Cincinnati Saturday night at TQL Stadium.
The winner of the match will not only advance to the MLS Cup championship, but will host it as well.
The Crew are looking to make their fourth appearance in the MLS Cup. Cincinnati are looking to make their first appearance.
The teams have already met twice this year, most recently with the Crew defeating Cincinnati 3-0 at Lower.com Field in August.
Both teams have now made it to the Eastern Conference Final, but it took some work to get there.
The Crew started their playoff run against Atlanta United in the first round. After taking a 1-0 lead in the series, Atlanta came back and tied it 1-1 forcing a series-deciding game three. The Crew defeated Atlanta 4-2, winning the series. The club then went on to face Orlando City in the conference semifinals, beating them 2-0 in extra time.
Cincinnati began their playoff run against the New York Red Bulls in the first round. The club took a powerful 1-0 lead in the series before moving onto game 2 at Red Bull Arena. After ending extra time in a tie, the match was forced into penalty kicks with Cincinnati coming out on top and winning the series 2-0. In the conference semifinals, Cincinnati took on the Philadelphia Union and defeated them 1-0.
While these two teams each have something to prove in this years-long rivalry matchup, Cincinnati will be without defender Matt Miazga after he was suspended by the MLS Wednesday. Miazga is suspended for three matches and was issued an undisclosed fine for "misconduct" following the team's win over the New York Red Bulls on Nov. 4.
Cincinnati is 17-4-8 against Eastern Conference opponents and Luciano Acosta leads the fifth-ranked scoring team in the league with 18 goals. The Crew are 15-7-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. The Crew lead the league with a +21 goal differential, scoring 67 goals while conceding 46.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Acosta has 18 goals and 14 assists for Cincinnati. Alvaro Barreal has four goals and one assist over the last 10 games.
Cucho Hernandez has 20 goals and eight assists for the Crew. Darlington Nagbe has two goals over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES:
Cincinnati: 5-1-4, averaging 1.8 goals, 5.6 shots on goal and 5.4 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.0 goal per game.
Crew: 6-1-3, averaging 2.0 goals, 6.0 shots on goal and 6.7 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.1 goals per game.
NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY:
Cincinnati: London Aghedo (injured), Stiven Jimenez (injured), Nick Hagglund (injured)
Crew: Will Sands (injured), Sean Zawadzki (injured)
