Source: ESPN Soccer
Columbus Crew trounce FC Cincinnati to force Game 3ByESPN News ServicesUpdated: Nov 2, 2025, 08:56 pmFacebookFacebook MessengerTwitterEmailCOLUMBUS, Ohio –Max Arfstenhad a goal and two assists andDylan Chambostscored a first-half goal on Sunday night to help theColumbus Crewavoid elimination from MLS Cup playoffs and beatFC Cincinnati4-0 in Game 2 of the best-of-three first-round series.The series returns to TQL Stadium, where Cincinnati won the opener 1-0, for Game 3 on Saturday. The winner advances to the one-game Eastern Conference semifinals against No.3 seed Miami or sixth-seeded Nashville.Jacen Russell-Rowe, who replacedDiego Rossiin the 61st minute, fed Andrés Herrera for a goal in the 65th and added a his first career playoff goal in the 69th.Arfsten opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. Rossi, on the counter-attack, won a loose from defenderAlvas Powellat the edge of the 18-yard box and poked it to Arfsten on the left side of the area. The 24-year-old midfielder cut outside to evade goalkeeper Roman Celantano, who had charged off his line, and blasted a shot from the corner of the 6-yard box into the net for his third career playoff goal.Columbus Crew players celebrate after scoring a goal against FC Cincinnati in MLS Cup playoffs.USA Today ImagesYuya Kubowas shown a yellow card in the seventh minute and another in the 38th and No. 2 seed Cincinnati played a man down the rest of the way. It was all Columbus after that.Chambost, whose shot in the seventh minute was stopped by Celentano, bent the ensuing free kick from outside the area inside of the near post to make it 2-0 in the 41st.The seventh-seeded Crew outshot Cincinnati 19-1.Columbus defenderRudy Camacho, who had been sidelined due to a thigh injury, made his season debut when he subbed on 81st minute.Celentano, who finished with five saves, dove to break up a cross played byTaha Habrouneand was accidentally kicked in the head byHugo Picardin the third minute. Celentano was evaluated for a head injury and was allowed to remain in the game.Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.
Published: 2025-11-03T14:26:31
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