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Columbus Crew SC put on a show to secure a 3-0 win against FC Cincinnati in the third Hell is Real Derby of the year, as fans returned to MAPFRE Stadium for the first time since March. Pedro Santos opened the scoring for the Black & Gold and Gyasi Zardes came off the bench to score twice. The Crew gave fans plenty to celebrate and gloat about as the club’s dominance of the Hell is Real rivalry continued.
The match in one tweet:
Hi @COTABus — @fccincinnati might need some help. Their bus’ parking break was destroyed by @gyasinho and his friends. #crew96 #HellisReal https://t.co/lfupxYTRyW
— Columbus Council (@ColumbusCouncil) September 7, 2020
Fans were finally allowed to return to MAPFRE Stadium to cheer on their team, albeit with limited attendance. Many fans were happy to return and see the Black & Gold in action.
Good Morning. It’s Match day. So grab yourself a cup of coffee and get ready for another game of Midwest damnation. #Crew96 #HellIsReal pic.twitter.com/lPvqc5e8O6
— Gate 5 Collective (@G5CColumbus) September 6, 2020
— Christianito (@chrisduo85) September 6, 2020
Vamos Columbus CTM!!!!#Crew96 #ColumbusCrewSC #CLBvCin pic.twitter.com/JwX14UFiFu
Glad to be home #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/HzgmW9kouu
— Nick (@HabsmanGNL) September 7, 2020
My parents have been loyal @ColumbusCrewSC season ticket holders since ‘96 & they get to enjoy the game, socially distanced, w/ masks, tonight. #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/3GL0hUkzEG
— Kendra Nicastro (@BabyBonanza) September 7, 2020
Of course, many were cheering on the club from home.
Get your game faces on, it's match day! #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/4UGLyUIwVI
— Luke Johnston (@LukeShigeo) September 6, 2020
Representing the 614 in the 513#HellIsReal#Crew96#OhioIsBlackAndGold pic.twitter.com/7Hax9gtuBE
— Lady Stank (@ladystank) September 6, 2020
Good luck @ColumbusCrewSC! We can't wait to watch those butterflies fly! #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/1XWoh3lUKp
— Nationwide Children's Hospital (@nationwidekids) September 6, 2020
The first half was pretty uneventful. The Crew had multiple chances to score, but struggled to break down the Cincinnati defense. Fans were understandably annoyed with Cincy’s style of play.
God, FC Cincinnati is so insufferably boring.
— Morgan Hughes (@Morgan_Hughes) September 7, 2020
@fccincinnati have kicked Nagbe more than they have kicked the ball in this game. #crew96
— Tom M (@mentorred) September 7, 2020
The second half brought much more excitement when Luis Diaz subbed on. In the 52nd minute, Pedro Santos connected with a low cross from Diaz, putting the Crew ahead to elicit cheers from fans at MAPFRE Stadiu, and elsewhere.
You see what happens when you run at players with purpose?
— Take my hand, take my whole life too ... (@MBuckeye5) September 7, 2020
Brilliant from Diaz! #crew96 #HellisReal
YESSSS!!!! GOAL!!!! #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/U6R0vP5NxF
— Michael Jager (@CleCrewzer) September 7, 2020
well well well #FCCincy now you have to score. you wont tho. you should of stayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyed in the USL. #Crew96 #HellisReal
— idk what to put here (@JustinTHenley) September 7, 2020
Looking forward to the #Crew96 now going even further in their commitment to pass the other team to death.
— Matt Bernhardt (@bernhardtsoccer) September 7, 2020
Jaap Stam when he sees that his bus is broken down. #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/e7PiO9IFbh
— Gem City Massive (@GemCityMassive) September 7, 2020
Gyasi Zardes came off the bench in the 62nd minute and scored only two minutes later off of a passing sequence that he had started. Zardes proved himself to be Cincinnati’s boogeyman, scoring again in the 71st minute off of a blocked shot. Crew fans were thrilled to see the striker continue his great goal scoring form.
Immediate impact by Zardes! Celebrates the new baby! #Crew96 #HeLivesInMyNeighborhood
— Jeff Kupko (@jeffkupko) September 7, 2020
Gyasi worked so hard off the ball to get positioning for that goal. #Crew96
— Charles Campisano (@C_Campisano) September 7, 2020
All Gyasi does is score against Cincy. You really love to see it! #Crew96 #HellisReal
— Isaac Oyer (@isaacisaginger) September 7, 2020
Gyasi’s got a new baby, a birthday, and a bomb of a goal to add to it #Crew96
— Tim (@CLECrewMingo) September 7, 2020
Watching Gyasi’s runs, I am so glad #crew96 picked him up and kept him playing as a forward.
— Hilary (@hils4crew) September 7, 2020
Earlier this week Zardes became a father once again.
— @SovietShooter (@SovietShooter) September 7, 2020
He was already FCC's daddy.#Crew96
Crew fans have plenty to gloat about, with another big win over FC Cincinnati putting Columbus five points clear at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings. While we don’t yet know the rest of the season’s schedule, fans in Columbus will undoubtedly be excited to continue watching this team play.
#crew96 finally putting an end to the boring #FCCincy tactics.#HellisReal pic.twitter.com/NtqoPWBYPx
— Chad (@cpsut) September 7, 2020
Watching #Crew96 once again hand #FCCincy a big L pic.twitter.com/cyByPjDOIy
— Alex Stanek (@AlexStanek) September 7, 2020
Can_we_play_you_every_week.mp3#crew96 #FCCincy
— Matt Goshert (@mattgoshert) September 7, 2020
Um @Jomens25 will win MLS defensive player of the year. This back line is on point. #crew96
— Ty Phillips (@chaiteaaddict) September 7, 2020
3-0 and all 3 points for #Crew96 tonight. It was awesome being back in the stadium tonight. #HellisReal #PorColumbus pic.twitter.com/MFK0LUgcZZ
— Papi Juancho (@Migatron81) September 7, 2020
I leave you with a good joke.
And now #Crew96 gonna flop for the rest of the game. It is a disgrace how they flop. No class. Should receive yellows every game for it but Donnie G is scared of Porter I think. #HellisReal
— Chris Opher Hubbard (@opher_hubbard) September 7, 2020