The Exorcism of Cincinnati: FCC overcomes Columbus to advance in MLS Cup Playoffs
Damon Gumbert
“Two years ago was a very long time ago,” Head Coach Pat Noonan said when asked about exorcising demons in their 2-1 playoff match and series win over the Columbus Crew. Noonan was dismissive of the past; he remains focused on this year and winning a trophy, but there is something to be said about putting those demons to rest and removing that burden from the minds of fans and players alike.
“I think it just left a bitter taste in our mouths, how the season ended the past two years,” Nick Hagglund said. “Last year we didn’t win the first round, and then two years prior we didn’t beat Columbus, so let's just put both of those narratives together and just wash them away right now.”
A pallet cleanser of sorts. Those narratives have chased Cincinnati all season. Can they win the big matches? Noonan and the squad put that narrative out to pasture last night.
Columbus destroyed Cincinnati in game two, with the Orange and Blue looking completely lifeless and toothless against the Columbus attack. Game Three saw Kevin Denkey and Evander pressing higher and harder, forcing Columbus to make shorter passes and think on the fly instead of taking their time with the ball and looking for over-the-top passes.
Another update in the game plan was playing through Ender Echenique, who was matched up with Max Arfsten most of the night. Echenique made the USMNT fullback look absolutely silly, dribbling him out of his cleats on multiple occasions.
“The speed can be so impactful,” Noonan said about Echennique. “I’m interested to see what his running numbers are, because he put in a shift. He was a constant threat with that matchup, but defensively, he made a lot of plays as well.”
Echenique moved the ball an outstanding 147 yards in this match, only being topped by Pavel Bucha and Evander on FC Cincinnati. Bucha (105) was the only person who progressively carried the ball more than the Venezuelan wingback (94).
Echenique used his speed to shut down Arfsten, who had been a thorn in the side of FC Cincinnati in most of their previous matchups, as well. Arfsten was held to just 44 touches in the match after receiving 61 in Game 1 and 72 in Game 2.
“That part of his game is continuing to grow and improve,” Noonan continued. “I think that’s always a strong sign of a young player in a playoff game, with that atmosphere and more pressure, to perform the way he did.”
Echenique wasn’t the only summer signing that stepped up big in this match. Brenner, returning on loan from Udinese at the deadline, notched both goals for FC Cincinnati. The Brazilian had never scored against Columbus, nor had he ever scored in the playoffs before finding the back of the net off a Teenage Hadebe headed tip that landed right in front of goal.
Noonan was asked about having Brenner back for this playoff run after two seasons without him, “It’s a little wild. He’s matured.”
“When he left, that was something that needed to improve in his game, in his life. And I think that experience was important for us to see what we’re seeing right now, and it’s his job to not get complacent, to not get comfortable, and to continue to push himself… He’s happier, he’s smiling a lot, and like I said, he wants to help and he’s doing it the right way.”
Hagglund had a similar take on Brenner’s return, stating, “Yeah, it is wild. I think he gained an appreciation for what this club offers when he went away.”
“I think you see that in the way he plays, the way he trains, the way he shows up every day. I think there’s an appreciation to being a part of this club.”
Brenner’s second goal of the night sealed the deal for FC Cincinnati. A beautiful play where everyone was in the right place at the right time started with Pavel Bucha sending a cross into the box and finding Ayoub Jabbari, who had come on to relieve Kevin Denkey. The ball bounced off Jabbari’s chest and fell to the feet of Samuel Gidi, who turned to protect the ball from a Columbus defender. Brenner was standing near the top of the box and received the ball from Gidi, juked a defender, and sent the ball past Patrick Schulte into the bottom left corner.
Noonan had contemplated taking Brenner out of the game after the first goal, but when the Brazilian asked what the changes were, he told the coach, “I can score another goal.”
Brenner spoke through an interpreter after the match and said, “That’s what I came here for. I came here to make goals. That’s what I did. I know they scored first, but in my head, I knew I was going to score some goals.”
The FC will celebrate the victory for today, and then look on to their next round matchup with Inter Miami. Lionel Messi has continued his outstanding pace in the MLS Cup Playoffs, scoring five goals and assisting on three. Luis Suarez, who was suspended for Game 3 against Nashville after kicking a player, will be back in the lineup. The best of three round is over, and FC Cincinnati will only have one shot to stop the MVP and his friends.
Historically, FC Cincinnati has done well against Miami, outscoring the Herons 10-4 in their last four matches. The only match that Miami won outright was one that was marred in controversy after Suarez skipped the All-Star Game in 2024 and was not suspended, despite other players receiving suspensions for doing likewise. Suarez scored both goals in Miami’s 2-0 defeat of Cincinnati.
When it comes to Messi, Noonan’s side has shut down the future Hall of Famer. Messi has never scored against FC Cincinnati in regulation; the only time he saw the back of the net was in a penalty shootout during the 2023 US Open Cup. Messi had a run of scoring a brace in four consecutive matches before visiting TQL Stadium in July. That streak came to an abrupt end in a 3-0 FC Cincinnati victory.
While we don’t know quite yet when the next playoff match will take place, we do know that it will be at TQL Stadium due to Cincinnati having the higher seed. On the other end of the Eastern Conference bracket, Supporter’s Shield winners Philadelphia Union will take on NYCFC in what will surely be an intense matchup.
