Crew even best-of-three playoff series with FC Cincinnati

Sunday, November 2, 2025
Staff Reports
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Crew's Max Arfsten celebrates with crowd

Max Arsten celebrates with the crowd at Lower.com Field after scoring the first goal of the match for the Columbus Crew against FC Cincinnati Sunday. Photo: Kevin Lam

The Columbus Crew came into Sunday’s MLS playoff match with FC Cincinnati down one game to none in the teams’ best-of-three series. The Black & Gold fell 1-0 in Cincinnati this past Monday, so their backs were against the wall at Lower.com Field in front of a sellout crowd.

Max Arfsten scored in the 32nd minute and the Crew never looked back as they dominated the match, beating the Orange and Blue, 4-0, to even the series at a game apiece.

Dylan Chambost posted a goal in the 41st minute off a free kick earned after a red card was issued to Cincinnati’s Yuya Kubo. The Crew outshot Cincinnati in the first half, 10-1, and led 2-0 going to the break.

In the second half, Andrés Herrera scored at the 65′ mark after receiving a pass from Jacen Russell-Rowe. Four minutes later, Russell-Rowe added a goal of his own when Arfsten found him charging down the middle of the box.

The teams will play their winner-take-all third game back at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium this upcoming Saturday. The start time of the match as yet to be determined.

Crew's Patrick Schulte makes save

Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte deflects a pass during the Black & Gold’s 4-0 elimination-avoiding win over FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field Sunday. Photo: Kevin Lam