It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t long-range. But in the 76th minute of a tense, physical battle, Kévin Edem Denkey did what he’s done all season — turned a moment of chaos into a game-winning goal. The 24-year-old Togolese striker buried a close-range finish past Patrick Schulte to lift FC Cincinnati to a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew in Game 1 of their 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs showdown at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, October 27, 2025. The crowd of 20,730 fell silent. The defending champions, who’d won MLS Cup just 14 months earlier, looked stunned. And suddenly, the Hell is Real playoff series had a new narrative.
The Stalemate That Broke
For 75 minutes, it felt like the entire city of Columbus held its breath. The Crew, led by head coach Wilfried Nancy, pressed high, dominated possession, and peppered Roman Celentano with 11 shots — five on target. But Celentano, the 23-year-old goalkeeper who’s quietly become Cincinnati’s backbone, made save after save, including a diving fingertip stop in the 62nd minute that looked like it might be the defining moment of the night. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s attack, often criticized for lacking firepower since Brenner’s departure, looked disjointed — until it wasn’t.
Then, in the 76th minute, a simple miscommunication between Crew center-back Malte Amundsen and Schulte opened the door. A cross from Jacen Russell-Rowe floated into the box. Schulte hesitated — just a half-step too late. Denkey, who’d been shadowed by two defenders all night, slipped between them like smoke. One touch. One finish. The net rippled. The away end erupted. The scoreboard read 1-0.
Why This Goal Mattered More Than the Score
FC Cincinnati finished the regular season with a 19-2-3 record (29 points), the best in the Eastern Conference. Columbus, the 2023 champions, were 17-6-1 (27 points) — a team built to win tight games. And they had. In fact, 16 of Cincinnati’s 20 wins this year came by a single goal. That’s not luck. That’s resilience. That’s the identity Pat Noonan has forged.
But this wasn’t just about points. It was about psychology. The Crew had beaten Cincinnati 2-1 in the 2023 playoffs. They’d drawn 1-1 in May 2025 at TQL Stadium, where Diego Rossi converted a penalty to cancel out Denkey’s early strike. This time, Cincinnati came to Columbus — the heart of Crew territory — and left with all three points. That’s a statement.
The Rivalry That Won’t Die
The Hell is Real derby isn’t just a nickname. It’s a cultural fault line. The name comes from a weather-beaten wooden sign along I-71, the highway that connects Cincinnati and Columbus — a stretch of road where fans from both sides have traded taunts, bumper stickers, and, on occasion, fists. This playoff series is the latest chapter in a rivalry that’s grown from local grudge to national spectacle.
On the field, it’s physical. Off it, it’s personal. Fans paint their faces. Bars ban opposing jerseys. And now, with the series tied 1-0 in favor of Cincinnati, the tension is about to explode in TQL Stadium.
What Comes Next
Game 2 is set for Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 7:30 PM EDT at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The Crew know they can’t afford another loss. A defeat there would mean facing elimination on the road in Game 3 — a scenario they’ve never faced in this rivalry. Nancy will likely push for more attacking options, perhaps bringing on Lucas Zelarayán or adjusting the midfield to create more space for Diego Rossi.
For Cincinnati, the plan is simple: stay compact, trust Celentano, and wait. Denkey has scored 14 goals this season — 11 in the final 30 minutes of matches. He doesn’t need chances. He needs moments. And he’s proven he knows how to find them.
The Bigger Picture
If Cincinnati wins this series, they’ll face the winner of NYCFC vs. Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, beginning November 9. The ultimate prize — the MLS Cup — will be decided on December 6 at a neutral site still to be announced. But for now, the only thing that matters is this: the Crew are no longer the kings of Ohio. And Denkey, the quiet striker from Lomé, Togo, just became the man who dethroned them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kévin Denkey become so crucial for FC Cincinnati after Brenner left?
After star striker Brenner departed for Europe in early 2024, Denkey, previously a rotational forward, stepped into the starting role and thrived. He’s scored 14 goals this season, with 11 coming in the final 30 minutes of matches — a knack for clutch finishes that’s made him the team’s go-to option in tight games. His movement, positioning, and composure in the box have filled the void better than anyone expected.
Why is the Hell is Real rivalry so intense between these two Ohio teams?
The rivalry stems from decades of regional competition — economic, cultural, and now athletic. The name comes from a famous roadside sign along I-71, where fans from both cities have exchanged taunts for years. Matches are sold out, jerseys are burned, and even local businesses take sides. In 2023, a fan was arrested for throwing a flare during a Crew game in Cincinnati. This playoff series has reignited all of that — and then some.
What’s the historical record between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew in the playoffs?
This is only the second playoff meeting between the two. In 2023, Columbus won a two-leg series 3-1 on aggregate, eliminating Cincinnati in the first round. That loss fueled Cincinnati’s rebuild. Now, with Denkey’s goal, Cincinnati has its first-ever playoff win over the Crew — a symbolic turning point in the rivalry’s history.
How has Roman Celentano’s performance impacted this playoff series so far?
Celentano has been the unsung hero. In Game 1, he made five key saves, including a spectacular reflex stop in the 62nd minute that preserved the 0-0 scoreline. He’s allowed just 1.05 goals per game this season — the best in MLS among goalkeepers with 20+ appearances. His calm under pressure has given Cincinnati the confidence to sit deep and counter, a tactic that worked perfectly against Columbus’s high press.
What’s the significance of FC Cincinnati’s 19-2-3 regular season record?
That record is the best in franchise history and the top in the Eastern Conference. Only three teams in MLS history have finished a season with fewer than three losses. Cincinnati’s defense, anchored by Celentano and center-backs Jürgen Damm and Roman Yaremchuk, conceded just 20 goals in 24 games — the fewest in the league. They didn’t just make the playoffs; they dominated the regular season.
When and where will Game 2 of the Hell is Real series take place?
Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 7:30 PM EDT at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. If necessary, Game 3 would follow on Sunday, November 2, 2025, also at TQL Stadium, since Cincinnati held the higher seed. The Crew must win in Cincinnati to force a decisive third game — a tall order given the atmosphere they’ll face.
Kendrick Steelson
My name is Kendrick Steelson and I am a sports enthusiast with a passion for bodybuilding. As a former competitive athlete, I have acquired an extensive knowledge of various sports and training techniques. I enjoy sharing my insights and experiences through writing, and I am dedicated to helping others achieve their fitness goals. My expertise in sports and bodybuilding has allowed me to contribute to numerous publications and online platforms. In my spare time, I continue to train and push myself to new heights in order to inspire others to do the same.
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