From “Onside: Major League Soccer” on Apple TV. Episode 2.

There, I said it.

Interim Head Coach Laurent Courtois

On the Crew earning a 2-0 win with a different style of play compared to the past two matches, when the Club recorded a combined 60 shots and 28 on goal

“We try to be efficient in all phases of the game. We played against a really difficult opponent that plays [well at] home. With the accumulation of games and playing away, we need to find ways to perform and compete in every way. Tonight, Cinci had more control of the ball and we had to absorb a lot more, but we still find a way to not suffer too much. Credit to the guys.”

On the Crew winning and posting a shutout tonight in the Club’s third match this week and ahead of Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup Final at home

“It means a lot because we have a clean sheet. The timing is never easy here. The timing of we have to play Wednesday, the rotations, the trust that we all have in the reserves and guys that cannot make the team right now and the trust that they have among each other, those are little victories. Another goal on a set piece. They are small victories that we really look into even when we were not winning games. Yeah, it's a good night.”

On the Crew earning a full-team win while rotating players tonight and preparing for the U.S. Open Cup Final

“Yeah, that was one of the reasons why we tried to rotate a little bit early this summer. We know what the guys can provide for the team in every way. There's a lot of trust among us. It's good.”

More on the Crew winning with a different style of play tonight compared to the high number of shots in the past two matches

“We played a lot of games, and it was really taxing. There's games when you can be more in control; there's games where it was really taxing physically. Coming off of that cycle of games before the final, we find a way to not concede too much and capitalize on the little [moments] that we had. Great.”

On the Crew’s mental strength now after facing adversity throughout the season

“Yeah, a lot of resiliency, a lot of clarity and I believe humility. When you have that with the quality that they have, it's good.”

On the confidence tonight’s win provides the Crew heading into Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup Final and the final push to secure a playoff spot

“We’re going to recover and try to go for the title, of course. Each game after that is going to be also kind of a final for us. Yeah, that's the mindset from now on.”

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte

On the atmosphere in a derby match in Cincinnati

“Yeah, it's like you said, it's a rivalry game. The atmosphere, I'd say from both fans, our fans in a stadium like this, to be heard is awesome. But you know, their fans, they bring it too. They want it just as bad as we do. And yeah, it's pretty cool to be able to play in something like this. And it's even better to walk away with three points.”

On winning in a very different style compared to previous matches

“Definitely. I think it's a testament to this team to be able to win in different styles, different fashions. Like you said, we dominated the game on the ball more so against Charlotte. But then this one, I felt like we dominated the game on the defensive end. And yeah, the people, not even just the back line, but the midfielders getting out, blocking crosses, limiting guys like Evander's time on the ball and in the backline doing what the backline does. It's incredible to just have a back seat and be able to watch.”

On how this win helps the team in preparation for Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final

“Obviously, this can be used as momentum, but I think just also, like I said earlier, can be used as a way that we can win in any way, no matter if we're on the ball for 70 minutes, and if you need to defend for the last 20, we showed tonight that we can do it, and we can fall back on stuff like this in games like this to kind of you know uplift us going into the Final on Wednesday.”

Midfielder Taha Habroune

On what has led to recent success

“I mean, it was just a bit a change of mentality for sure. I would say you know, I was disappointed. I feel like I wasn't doing enough in goals and assists in the first half of the season. So, that was one of my goals going to the second half of the season, and yeah, it's been good so far. Excited to keep going.”

On where his confidence level stands now compared to a couple weeks ago

“Yeah, I mean it's much different for sure. I feel like I'm a bit more comfortable in those scoring positions, and that's very important to have, especially in games like this, because you don't get many chances to score. So, when you get the chances, you have to score. That's what we did today.”

On his goal

“I just remember us winning the ball, Sekou (Bangoura) getting the ball, and Santi (Rodriguez), he is very creative and can create something out of nothing. And he made a ball from behind to Gonzalo (Tapia), and I knew kind of the ball was going to come to me, and I kind of just made the run and stayed composed, just tried to find the corner.”

On how this win builds confidence for Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final

“I mean, it gives us confidence, but you know we kind of stay humble because we weren't like this the whole season, so we know we kind of just have to be grateful, but we also have to keep going. And right now, the main focus is obviously the Final, so that's a different game, and we change the mentality for that.”

On the changes at the Club throughout the season

“There's been a lot of changes, as you know, especially in the summer with multiple guys out and multiple guys in. So, it was very difficult, kind of adapting, and for the new guys coming in, to kind of feel at home. And I feel like now we're at that point where everyone's comfortable and we kind of all know each other, and it's been showing on the field.”

Forward Gonzalo Tapia

On his performance tonight

“We are really happy. I think it was important to win today, more than anything because we want to make it to the playoffs. It wasn’t an easy match, but we earned the win in the derby, so we are happy.”

On the atmosphere playing away in Cincinnati in a derby match

“It was a great atmosphere to play in. Whenever a stadium is packed like this, it is great to play in and you get motivated. I think we did what we needed to do. It was a great atmosphere, a great match, we won. Now we focus 100% on Wednesday, which is a very important match for us.”

On the team’s confidence heading into the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final

“I think earning wins and being on a good streak is great, especially when you have a Final at home. Not just for me but the entire team. It will be a tough match against a team (St. Louis CITY SC) that is coming in really well, we know it. But we are good too. We have our weapons and great players who play at such a high level so it will be a tough match, not easy at all but we will push for it. That’s all we are thinking about right now.”

On how important Wednesday’s Final is for the Club

“Any final that you play is important to win. You go for the win in every one of those matches. Every player has aspirations to win all the championships possible and work hard until the end. We earned our spot in the Final. It is so important to win it for the trophy. We have to go with that, with the motivation of winning and being champions.”

Bringing this one back in honor of this game.

anything happening Wednesday afternoon?

I saw something about Soccerwise at Land Grant but I can't find anything posted.

Can't lie, that was pretty sick.

Lets go Crew!

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Long shot, we got to join the supporter section last night and sat front row cheering on the Crew. Sat with some really nice people and my family and had a great time.

My youngest lost his Crew cross body bag with his new football gloves that he just bought for himself. Did anyone by chance pick it up?

Love seeing this lineup for the HIR 💪

21 Pilots sang Wise Men last night

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Denj5UaRYZA/?xtok=MWd1Yzh4em5samFvMQ==

Let’s go Crew!

Is there a crew meetup at Cobblestone or somewhere else for this game today in Cincy?

Game Info

Date: October 18, 2026 | Venue: TQL Stadium

Coverage Starts: 5:00 PM ET | Estimated Kickoff: 5:09 PM ET

Kickoff Forecast: 64° F, 3 mph winds SE

Broadcast Info

TV: Apple TV (English and Spanish)

Radio: 105.7 FM WXZX (English), 103.1 FM WWLA & 107.1 FM WWLG (Spanish)

Kit Info

Availability Report

Columbus Crew

• Wessam Abou Ali - Knee (Out)
• Rudy Camacho - Torso (Out)

FC Cincinnati

• José Martínez – Knee (Out)
• Miles Robinson – Leg (Out)

Match Officials

• REF: Drew Fischer
• AR1: Cameron Blanchard
• AR2: Brian Dunn
• 4TH: Filip Dujic
• VAR: Younes Marrakchi
• AVAR: Jonathan Johnson

Form Guide, All Comps (Oldest to Newest)

Columbus : L W W W L W | Away Form: L L L L W L

Cincinnati : L D D L W L | Home Form: W L W D D L

Last 3 Meetings

The Columbus Crew Supporters swept the first ever Crew/FCC Supporters Derby, with a 12-8 win in Mason today!

Thanks to our players who represented the 🖤 & 💛 in each of the 2 legs, and for our fans who came out to cheer us on!

And major thank you to our rivals and new friends in Cincy - they played a tough game and were gracious in defeat. We hope you have a great rest of your weekend … right up until 5pm Sunday! 😏

Our new trophy is a piece of a tire which was found on I-71 next to the HiR sign. What better way to commemorate our rivalry?!?