Desperate times call for desperate measures, but in the Black & Gold’s must-win playoff fixture, the only side in despair was FC Cincinnati.

The Columbus Crew won out as 4-0 victors over FC Cincinnati on Sunday night in Round One, Game 2 of their best-of-three series. Goals from Max Arfsten, Dylan Chambost, Andres Herrera, and Jacen Russell-Rowe inspired the Black & Gold’s triumph, emboldened by a straight red card for FCC’s Yuya Kubo in the first half to bring the visitors down to ten men. The win means the final match of the series, Game 3, will take place on November 8th in Cincinnati, as FC Cincinnati took home Game 1 in a 1-0 victory over the Black & Gold on Monday. The winner of Game 3 will move on to the Eastern Conference semifinals to face either Inter Miami CF or Nashville SC.

With their 2025 MLS Cup hopes hanging in the balance, the Columbus Crew brushed FC Cincinnati aside confidently, with the statement win added to an ever-growing list of famous triumphs over their Ohio rivals.

Max Arfsten broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute. Diego Rossi chased down a lobbed ball into the...