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News, Blog and GuidesFC Cincinnati host Columbus Crew in an all-Ohio Eastern Conference final today, with Houston Dynamo or LAFC awaiting in the MLS Cup final.
William AllenWAS_AllenUpdate: Dec 2nd, 2023 04:31 EST
Katie StratmanUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Ohio is guaranteed to have a representative in this month’s MLS Cup final, as state rivals FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew face off in the Eastern Conference final today.
The winners will take on either Houston Dynamo or Los Angeles FC in the league decider on Saturday 9 December.
Cincinnati seeking maiden MLS crown
Led by 2023 MVP Luciano Acosta, Cincinnati are chasing their first ever MLS championship in their fifth season in North America’s elite division.
The Orange and Blue booked their place in the conference decider by beating Philadelphia Union 1-0 in the Eastern semi-finals, Yerson Mosquera scoring a controversial late winner at TQL Stadium.
Columbus, meanwhile, are pursuing a third MLS title in franchise history, having previously been crowned champions in 2008 and 2020.
Wilfried Nancy’s men set up a clash with Cincinnati with a 2-0 victory over Orlando City, Christian Ramírez and Cucho Hernández grabbing the Crew’s goals in extra time in Florida.
Columbus had the upper hand in the most recent meeting between Cincinnati and the Crew, winning 3-0 in a regular-season match-up at Lower.com Field in August.
However, it was Cincinnati who finished higher in the 2023 standings: while Columbus headed into the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed, ‘Cincy’ both the Eastern Conference and the MLS-wide Supporters’ Shield table.
Hell is Real tifo never misses. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2GGiReZXnz
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 2, 2023
Why are Cincinnati at home?
It’s precisely because of Cincinnati’s higher regular-season finish that they are at home in today’s Eastern Conference final. According to MLS rules, home-field advantage in each playoff tie goes to the team that performed better during the season’s league phase.
Having won the Supporters’ Shield to claim the overall No. 1 seed, Cincinnati have enjoyed home advantage throughout the playoffs and know the MLS Cup final will also be at TQL Stadium if they get there.
Meanwhile, the Crew are the away side today – but they ranked above both Houston and LAFC in the Supporters’ Shield standings, so will be the home team if they reach the championship game.
See also:
The lowdown on the Hell is Real DerbyCincinnati vs Columbus Crew: predicted lineupsCincinnati vs Columbus Crew: players to watch
