Columbus Crew Stun FC Cincinnati With 4-2 Comeback in Lightning-Charged MLS Clash

Early Fireworks and a Stormy Twist

This MLS showdown between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew was never short of drama from the first minute. If anyone arrived late to TQL Stadium that evening, they missed two quick punches right out of the gate. Pavel Bucha stunned the Crew just seconds after kickoff, slotting home in the first minute. As fans barely settled, Evander doubled the lead with a cool finish by the fifth minute, sending the sell-out crowd of 25,513 into a frenzy.

Then the skies opened up. A severe weather delay halted play for nearly an hour, cranking up the tension. The break might have given both teams time to regroup, but it was Columbus who emerged sharper once the match resumed.

Crew’s Comeback Sparks New MLS Conversation

Columbus started to find their rhythm midway through the first half, and Diego Rossi—one of their most creative weapons—finally gave Crew fans something to shout about in the 42nd minute. His neatly-placed shot tucked past the Cincinnati defense, halving the deficit and giving Columbus a lifeline just before half-time.

The real turning point came just before the break. Max Arfsten, always buzzing with energy, saw his shot take a cruel deflection past Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano. Suddenly, a two-goal lead had evaporated, and the sides went into halftime locked at 2-2.

After the interval, the momentum completely swung Columbus’s way. In the 59th minute, Cincinnati’s normally steadfast defender Miles Robinson became the unfortunate headline, turning the ball into his own net. The own goal gave the Crew an unlikely lead and hushed the stands.

With Cincinnati chasing the game, Columbus drove the advantage home in stoppage time. Taha Habroune, the 18-year-old making his MLS debut, pounced on a loose ball to sew up the match at 4-2. For Habroune, it wasn't just a fairytale moment; it stamped him as a future name to watch in league circles.

• 2nd-minute opener from Bucha electrified the stadium
• Arfsten’s deflected goal and Robinson’s own goal turned the tide
• Habroune made the most of his debut with confidence

This loss ended Cincinnati’s recent four-game streak without a defeat. It wasn’t just about conceding four; it was the manner. Despite controlling early possession and surging ahead, Cincinnati’s defense fell apart in key moments, and their attack faded as Crew’s midfield asserted control. For Columbus, this kind of comeback cements their reputation as one of the most resilient teams in the MLS right now, and key figures like Rossi already look like postseason difference-makers.