Columbus Crew 2 Defeats FC Cincinnati 2 1-0

Columbus Crew 2 defeated FC Cincinnati 2 1-0 on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium. A 74th-minute goal by Zach Zengue secured the victory, snapping a three-game home winning streak for FC Cincinnati 2 against their in-state rivals in MLS NEXT Pro action.

The match shifted in the 37th minute when FC Cincinnati 2 was reduced to 10 men. Chance Malilo received a yellow card in the 23rd minute before receiving a second yellow and a subsequent red card, according to the official misconduct summary.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, FC Cincinnati 2 held the match scoreless through the first half. Academy goalkeeper Connor Dale made four saves and recorded a penalty-kick denial in the second half to keep the score tied until the final quarter of the game.

Columbus Crew 2 pressured the offense throughout the evening, recording 19 shots compared to eight from Cincinnati. Zach Zengue scored the lone goal in the 74th minute, assisted by Kevin Gbamble, as reported in the scoring summary.

Did You Know? FC Cincinnati 2 entered the match having won three consecutive home games against Columbus Crew 2 before Sunday’s loss.

Why did Columbus Crew 2 win the match?

Columbus Crew 2 leveraged a significant man advantage and offensive pressure to secure the win. According to the stats summary, Columbus recorded 19 total shots and five shots on goal, while FC Cincinnati 2 managed only eight shots and two on goal.

The red card issued to Chance Malilo in the 37th minute forced the “Orange and Blue” to defend with 10 players for the majority of the contest. This disparity likely contributed to the 74th-minute breakthrough by Zach Zengue.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that while Connor Dale’s penalty save provided a temporary reprieve, the sustained pressure from 11 attackers against 10 defenders typically creates the fatigue and gaps necessary for a late-game winning goal.

What happens next for FC Cincinnati 2?

FC Cincinnati 2 will travel to face CT United FC on Thursday, June 18, at Reese Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

90 in 15: FC Cincinnati 2 vs. Columbus Crew 2 | June 14, 2026

The team may face a difficult challenge based on previous results. In the season opener, FC Cincinnati 2 lost to CT United 3-1 at home. This upcoming match will be the second meeting between the two clubs this season.

The game is scheduled to stream live on MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored the winning goal in the match?
Zach Zengue scored the winning goal in the 74th minute, assisted by Kevin Gbamble.

How many saves did Connor Dale make?
Connor Dale made four saves and one penalty-kick denial during the game.

Where was the game played?
The match took place at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, KY.

How do you think the red card impacted the final result of the rivalry match?