Columbus Crew beat FC Cincinnati as Tapia scores and assists in 2–0 win

Cincinnati shorthanded for the opening corner

At TQL Stadium on October 18, 2026, Cincinnati needed an early defensive substitution, with Nick Hagglund entering in the 18th minute after an injury. Another interruption left the home side shorthanded for the opening goal: Tyrell Malacia was off the pitch undergoing a head injury evaluation when Columbus took its corner.

Gonzalo Tapia headed Columbus ahead in the 22nd minute, with Méndez supplying the assist. Tapia found space at the far post to finish the corner. That goal separated the teams at halftime, with Cincinnati still seeking its first goal.

Habroune adds a second after the break

Taha Habroune doubled the lead in the 54th minute on a counterattack, with Tapia and Rodríguez credited with assists. The move developed down the flank before a centering pass set up a shot inside the box, extending Columbus’s advantage early in the second half.

Schulte finishes with eight saves

Cincinnati continued seeking goals until the end but could not reduce the deficit. Patrick Schulte finished with eight saves as Cincinnati put eight shots on goal against Columbus’s two. Dylan Chambost received a yellow card in second-half stoppage time, at 90’+3, before Columbus completed the shutout.

Sweep brings Columbus closer to Cincinnati

The victory completed Columbus’s regular-season sweep of Cincinnati and brought the Crew within one point of their rivals. With four games remaining in the regular season, Columbus had won four of its last five contests.

Cincinnati retained the Eastern Conference’s ninth and final playoff position over Toronto FC on the wins tiebreaker. Its upcoming consecutive meetings with D.C. United resulted from an earlier match postponed by severe rainfall in Ohio.