FC Cincinnati - Columbus Crew live online: score, stats and update | MLS Cup Playoffs
FC Cincinnati - Columbus Crew: Live blog
Cincinnati are really struggling to keep possession here and Columbus are straight back on the offensive.
Diego Rossi picks up the ball in the box and is felled by Barreal, but referee says no penalty.
Diego Rossi tries to pick out a teammate on the edge of the box but Arias reads the pass and intercepts well.
Brilliant pass from Diego Rossi to send Farsi sweeping forward on the right right. He skips past Barreal and wins a free kick for his team on the edge of the box.
A chance for Columbus to deliver from wide.
Acosta curls in the corner kick and it's cleared, but only as far as Kubo on the edge. The Japanese midfielder volleys towards goal but it's blocked and Columbus pick up a free kick after a melee in the box.
Cincy break forward with a clever pass from Kubo towards Vazquez. The USMNT forward latches onto the ball and tries to whip it across to Luciano Acosta in the middle.
Columbus clear for a Cincy corner.
Nearly an equaliser!
Powerful run from Moreira, charging towards the Cincinnati box, and pulling back a clever pass to the edge of the 18. Cucho Hernandez leaps on the opportunity and fires a powerful shot at goal, but Celentano is equal to it.
Still 1-0 to Cincinnati, Columbus getting closer.
Columbus take the free kick short and play some neat stuff around the box, before Aiden Morris clips an aimless cross out for a Cincinnati goal kick.
The corner is cleared but there's a handball called on Luciano Acosta, close to the touchline on the right. Columbus have a chance to deliver into the box.
More good play from Columbus as Cucho Hernandez is played in behind the Cincinnati backline. He looks to fire at goal but two recovering defenders get back to block the shot.
Columbus win a corner.
Half an hour in this has been a brilliant Game, with chances for both teams and real attacking intent from the off.
Cincy have the lead but Columbus have taken control in the last ten minutes and are starting to turn the screw now. Cincinnati are struggling to get out of their defensive third.
Appeals for a penalty from Columbus!
Brilliant run from Farsi to dart into the Cincinnati box and he goes over after a clumsy tackle in the area.
Referee waves away the appeals, but Columbus are looking dangerous now.
Yeboah finds himself in space, high up on the left flank. He tries to whip a low cross towards Cucho Hernandez at the front post, but he is well-marsheled by Cincinnati defenders.
Columbus come forward again with Hernandez and Rossi.
Hernandez tries to thread an inch-perfect pass through to Farsi, but the ball is a little to long. Goal kick to Cincy.
Arias wins a free kick for Cincinnati, easing the pressure on the hosts. The look to play out from the back but a well-coordinated high press from the Crew forces them to play long and the visitors regain possession.
Aaron Boupenza spots Patrick Schulte off his line and tries to lob the Crew goalkeeper from the halfway line.
It's a decent effort, but it sails harmlessly over the crossbar.
Nice interplay from Rossi and Hernandez for Columbus to make space for the shot. Cucho looks to curl one past Celentano but it's easily saved.
The short corner is blocked by Cincy and Columbus regain possession and work the ball to Aiden Morris on the edge of the box.
He lets fly from distance but it's comfortably over the Cincinnati goal.
Columbus Crew are starting to enjoy some possession in the Cincy half. Morris plays a brilliant ball across to Yeboah on the left flank from Arias does well to get back and clear the ball.
Corner kick for Columbus now...
What a start to the Eastern Conference final! Chances for both sides in the opening stages and a fervent atmosphere, whipped up bu that early goal from Vazquez.
Columbus Crew are not going to sit back and they are straight back on the counter-attack, flooding forward. The ball is worked to Diego Rossi and the Crew forward shows brilliant footwork to shuffle into the box, passing the ball to Cucho Hernandez to shoot.
Celentano can't stop it but there's a recovering defender on the line to clear the danger.
Another chance for Cincinnati and Alvaro Barreal finds himself on the edge of the Columbus box and tries to curl it into the far corner. His effort is saved and the rebound just evades the other Cincinnati players.
That's a let-off for the Crew.
It was a brilliantly taken goal from Vazquez, who picked up a loose ball in the box and shimmied through the Columbus defence.
He worked the ball onto his left and fired home from a tight angle. Clinical finishing from the Cincinnati forward.
Goooooooaaaaaal! Cincinnati
The hosts have the lead and it's Brandon Vazquez with the goal!
Brilliant finish from a tight angle from the USMNT striker!
Brilliant recovery challenge from Yeboah to stop a Cincinnati attack on the right flank. The opportunity came from an exquisite diagonal pass from Luciano Acosta.
Boos from the home crowd as the referee stops the Game to allow Rossi to receive medical attention. It came at an inopportune moment for the hosts and they looked to counter with Boupendza.
Cincinnati get the ball back for the restart but they lose the chance to break on Columbus.
Clever pass from Cucho Hernandez to find Diego Rossi in space on the edge of the Cincy box. He considers a shot but opts instead to play back to Nagbe.
Columbus looking to recycle the possession in the early stages, rather than going for the jugular.
Luciano Acosta is starting to get on the ball for the hosts, drifting on to the left to combine with Alvaro Barreal.
Chance for a breakaway for Cincinnati as they turn over the ball in midfield.
Boupendza brings the ball forward and gets to the edge of the box, before getting crowded out by recovering Columbus defenders.
He should have done better with that opening.
It's an even start at TQL Stadium with both teams figuring the other out. The Cincinnati supporter are making a great atmosphere.
Columbus have looked composed in the early stages, with Darlington Nagbe getting on the ball in the middle of the park.
His experience could be crucial for the Crew in a fierce TQL Stadium atmosphere.
There's an early opening for Cucho Hernandez, from the edge of the Cincinnati box. He swivels on the ball and strikes at goal but it's easily saved.
And we're off!
We're underway in Cincinnati for the Eastern Conference final...
The players are out on the field and we're nearly ready for kick-off now.
Who will come out on top in the Eastern Conference final? We're about to find out...
MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
Matt Miazga suspension extended after MLS investigation
Wondering why there's no Matt Miazga for Cincinnati? The MLS Defender of the Year has been a crucial part of Cincy's success this season but misses out tonight due to an explosive incident earlier in the post-season.
Here's the full story...
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What a sight!
Kick-off is fast approaching and the Cincinnati support is warming up for this game. The team were struggling in their first few years in MLS but they have been transformed by head coach Pat Noonan, who led them to the Supporters Shield title at a canter.
Warming up for Hell is Real
The visiting Columbus team is going through their paces at TQL Stadium, an intimidating venue for tonight's Eastern Conference final. The performance of Cucho Hernandez could be crucial for the Crew this evening as they look to take advantage of an injury-affect Cincinnati backline.
MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
What is the Hell is Real Derby? MLS Conference final
Tonight's Eastern Conference final is an Ohio derby, often known as the 'Hell is Real' derby.
FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew meet in the final for the very first time and tonight promises to be an exciting new chapter in the rivalry.
Here's everything you need to know about the History of the fixture and the origin of the name...
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Atmosphere building in Cincinnati
We're around half an hour from kick-off at TQL Stadium and the supporters are gathering for the Eastern Conference final. There's a place in MLS Cup on the line, but also local bragging rights between Ohio's two MLS teams.
Cincy supporters have had plenty to cheer about this season and they will be looking to roar their side to victory this evening.
MLS
Cincinnati - Columbus Crew: Players to watch in the ECF | Luciano Acosta, Cucho Hernández…
Tonight's Eastern Conference final promises to be a real cracker, with some of the best players in MLS on show at TQL Stadium. Recently-crowned MLS MVP Luciano Acosta wears the captain's armband for FC Cincinnati and Columbus boast one of the league's deadliest forwards, Cucho Hernandez.
Here are the players to watch this evening...
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And here's how Columbus Crew line up
Here's the team selected by Wilfried Nancy. The Crew are at full strength tonight and have plenty of experience with the likes of Darlington Nagbe and Cucho Hernandez.
There's no place in the starting XI for Christian Ramirez, who came off the bench in the semi-final to find the crucial breakthrough goal.
FC Cincinnati starting XI
Here's how the hosts line up! No major surprises, although some would have expected Obinna Nwobodo to start after his return from injury. Pat Noonan opts to stick with the Kubo-Moreno duo that played in the semi-final.
We're expecting team news from TQL Stadium very shortly.
The main absentee for tonight's Eastern Conference final is Matt Miazga, the MLS Defender of the Year, who is suspended for FC Cincinnati. Cincy are also without stalwart Nick Hagglund due to a long-term injury.
We'll bring you the starting XIs as soon as we have them...
MLS
Cincinnati - Columbus Crew: How much do tickets cost for the Eastern Conference final?
FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew meet in the MLS Eastern Conference final at TQL Stadium on Saturday, with the winner progressing to the season-defining MLS Cup, where they will face either LAFC or Houston Dynamo.
It's a crucial game and everyone in town wants to be there to watch history unfold. Unsurprisingly, tickets are not going cheap...
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Cincinnati stars arrive for Columbus clash
The Supporters Shield champions are in the house and looking confident for the Eastern Conference final. Striker Brandon Vazquez looks relaxed on arrival as he looks to guide his team to the second MLS Cup triumph of his career.
The USMNT forward was a part of Gerardo Martino's Atlanta United side that lifted the trophy in 2019.
The scene is set at TQL Stadium
Where else would you rather be? Cincinnati's state-of-the-art TQL Stadium is the venue for tonight's Game and we're expecting a cracking atmosphere.
Cincy's The Pride supporters group always provide a brilliant soundtrack and tonight's game is the team's first ever Conference final appearance.
MLS
FC Cincinnati - Columbus Crew: Why is the Eastern Conference final in Cincinnati?
Tonight's Eastern Conference final is held at TQL Stadium, home of Supporters Shield winners FC Cincinnati. Our very own William Allen takes a look at Cincy's historic season and explains why they get home advantage for this crucial Game.
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Eastern Conference reaches finale
After more than nine months of action, the Eastern Conference has been whittled down to two team playing for a place in MLS Cup.
FC Cincinnati cruised to the Supporters Shield title in the regular season and have looked impressive in the playoffs, seeing off New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union.
Columbus were the top scorers in the regular season and have continued that in the post-season, notching ten goals in just four games.
Hello and welcome to AS USA. It's finals time in MLS and we have a cracking game at TQL Stadium to decide the Eastern Conference title.
FC Cincinnati host Columbus Crew, two of the most prolific strike forces in MLS going head-to-head.
I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you full live coverage of all the action...
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