FC Cincinnati Hosts Columbus Crew in Decisive Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Game 3
CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati will host the Columbus Crew on Saturday in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinal. The series is tied 1-1 after Columbus won Game 1 and Cincinnati secured a victory on the road in Game 2.
The Crew’s lineup faces challenges with key players recovering from injury. Forward Diego rossi, who led the team with 16 goals this season, played 75 minutes in Game 1 while continuing recovery from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for much of the regular season’s final stretch. Designated Player striker Wessam Abou Ali is out for approximately six weeks after sustaining a hairline fracture in his right ankle during a September 20th match against Toronto FC, and will miss this game, as confirmed by Columbus Head Coach wilfried Nancy.
In the absence of Rossi and Ali,players like jacen Russell-Rowe,Sean Zawadski,and Max Arfsten have stepped into larger roles,supported by veteran Darlington Nagbe. midfielder Dylan Chambost, who led the team in minutes played and assists (eight), has appeared in every match this season, starting 30 of 34.
Defensively, Steven Moreira has played 30 matches this season, logging nearly 2500 minutes.Malte Amundsen has been a key defender with Rudy Camacho, a 2024 MLS All-Star, recently making his first appearance on the bench after being out for the season.
Columbus typically utilizes a 4-3-3 formation with Nagbe as the central midfielder. With Rossi and Ali unavailable, Russell-Rowe has been starting as the central forward, flanked by Hugo Picard and lassi Lappalainen.
Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte,drafted ahead of the 2022 MLS season,has played 83 matches in three seasons,including 65 saves on 101 shots this season,and recorded three clean sheets – both career lows.
