Hell Is Real Showdown: Crew, Cincy Clash in Deciding Match
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The Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati are set to face off in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round best-of-three playoff series, with the winner advancing to the semifinals. After a thrilling 4-0 comeback victory for the Crew in Game 2, the focus shifts to Saturday's match, where both teams will leave their emotions behind and focus on the task at hand. Crew defender Steven Moreira emphasizes the importance of moving on from the previous game, as everyone will soon forget about it and focus on the next match. FC Cincinnati's Lukas Engel agrees, stating that the team's attention is solely on the next edition of the Hell Is Real derby. Cincinnati will be boosted by the return of defender Nick Hagglund, who was rested in Game 2 due to an injury. Coach Pat Noonan praises Hagglund's performance in Game 1 and notes that his absence was felt in Game 2. The Crew's Max Arfsten scored the opening goal in Game 2, and the team's momentum continued with Dylan Chambost, Andres Herrera, and Jacen Russell-Rowe adding to the lead. Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati's goalkeeper Roman Celentano and defender Miles Robinson will join Columbus' Patrick Schulte, Arfsten, and Sean Zawadzki at the U.S. men's national team November camp. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino praises the players' ability to separate their club loyalties from their national team duties, saying, 'They are very intelligent guys and they know that they need to compete and try to fight for their club, but then when we arrive to the national team, we are all USA players.'
