Cincinnati Claims 'Hell is Real' Bragging Rights in Dramatic Playoff Victory

FC Cincinnati has emerged victorious from the latest chapter of the heated "Hell is Real" derby, staging a dramatic 2-1 comeback to eliminate the Columbus Crew from the MLS Cup Playoffs. [1, 2] In a match filled with the intensity and passion befitting one of the league's fiercest rivalries, it was Cincinnati that found the late-game heroics to advance. The Crew struck first, with Jacen Russell-Rowe finding the net and momentarily silencing the Cincinnati faithful. [4] For much of the contest, it appeared Columbus might just escape with a hard-fought road victory. However, the home side, buoyed by a raucous crowd, flipped the script in the final act. Brenner Souza da Silva, the Brazilian striker, etched his name into Cincinnati lore, scoring a crucial late equalizer to send the stadium into a frenzy. [5] Not content with just forcing extra time, Brenner struck again with a dramatic late winner, sealing the Crew's fate and punching Cincinnati's ticket to the next round. [3]

The victory marks a significant milestone for FC Cincinnati, a club that has steadily built itself into a legitimate contender. Their regular-season success translated seamlessly into playoff poise, as they weathered the early storm from Columbus and demonstrated the resilience that has defined their 2025 campaign. The team's ability to maintain offensive pressure, even when trailing, ultimately proved to be the difference-maker. For the Columbus Crew, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow, ending a promising season in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of their biggest rivals. Despite a solid performance for most of the match, their inability to contain Brenner in the crucial final minutes will be a lingering regret. The match statistics tell a story of a tightly contested affair, but Cincinnati's clinical finishing in the clutch moments proved decisive. They now look ahead, carrying the momentum and confidence that only a derby win of this magnitude can provide.