The Columbus Crew face a critical first-round playoff matchup against FC Cincinnati on November 2, as they aim to keep their championship hopes alive. Following a tough 1-0 loss in the opening game of the best-of-three series, the Crew must secure a victory at Lower.com Field to force a decisive Game 3 back in Cincinnati on November 8.
The stakes are particularly high, not just due to the intense intrastate rivalry, but also because standout midfielder Darlington Nagbe has announced that he will retire at the season’s end. This adds an emotional element to the game as the Crew looks to extend both their playoff run and Nagbe’s illustrious career.
Fans can tune into the match, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m., through various channels. The game will be livestreamed on Apple TV, while coverage will be available on the radio through 105.7 FM in English and 103.1 FM/107.1 FM in Spanish. Jake Zivin will handle the play-by-play for the English feed, with insight from analyst Taylor Twellman and sideline reporting by Jillian Sakovitz. For the Spanish audience, Sammy Sadovnik will lead the broadcast, accompanied by Diego Valeri.
For those wishing to attend the match, tickets are still available via Ticketmaster, starting at around $76.65. Resale tickets can also be found on platforms like SeatGeek, StubHub, and VividSeats, with prices beginning around $75.
If necessary, Game 3 of the series will take place at TQL Stadium on November 8, with the timing yet to be determined. The winner of this matchup will advance to face the winner of the other first-round series between Nashville and Inter Miami.
As the Columbus Crew prepare for this must-win game, supporters are rallying behind the team, hoping to celebrate not only a victory in this crucial match but also a fitting farewell to Nagbe, who has played a significant role in the club’s journey.