FC Cincinnati head back on the road Sunday night for the Hell is Real derby with in-state rivals, Columbus Crew. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be shown on FS1 and for free on Apple TV. Fans can also listen to the match locally on ESPN 1530.
Let's break down this matchup with key numbers to remember, presented by CTI.
12
The twelfth playing of the Hell is Real derby since FC Cincinnati joined MLS in 2019 and the 13th all-time between the two Ohio clubs. Since the start of the rivalry Columbus has owned the better record, going 5-3-4 in all competitions against FCC.
As of late The Orange and Blue have begun to turn the tides though, having earned points in the last two matches against The Crew, including their second MLS win over Columbus in May of this season.
6
Six active FC Cincinnati players have scored a goal in the Hell is Real derby. Brandon Vazquez, Junior Moreno, Matt Miazga, Yuya Kubo and Nick Hagglund have each scored one goal each. Luciano Acosta is the clubs all-time leader in goals scored in Hell is Real derby matchups with three.
Acosta is tied for second this season in scoring in MLS with 12 goals.
85
Defender Yerson Mosquera is third in MLS with 43 interceptions, trailing Yeimar of Seattle Sounders FC by 11 interceptions. Midfielder Obinna Nwobodo is also a prominent figure on the leaderboard, trailing Mosquera by just one interception with 42.
The 85 combined interceptions are the most by a pair of teammates in MLS this season.
25
With only 25 goals conceded, FC Cincinnati has allowed the fourth fewest goals in MLS this season. Allowing 1.08 goals per match while scoring 1.69 goals per match has given FCC the edge all season.
Columbus is on the other end of the spectrum, having allowed the eighth most goals in the league this season (33) while scoring the most goals in MLS (45).
16
Having lost in the Round of 32 in the inaugural Leagues Cup, it will have been 16 days between matches for both FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew.
For The Orange and Blue this will be the longest gap between regular season games since May 2021 where FCC went 15 days between fixtures against Orlando City (May 1, 2021) and Inter Miami CF (May 16, 2021).
By the Numbers is presented by CTI.
