Crew accomplish a first in HIR derby: Three takeaways from the game | OneFootball

2-0 is the most dangerous lead in sports. This is a mantra my college coach used often, and it proves true time and time again. Which ever team scores the third goal would essentially dictate the game entirely. Saturday night was the latest example and it marked the first time Columbus came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat FC Cincy in regulation (last time in 2023 Eastern conference final went into extra time). It was Columbus getting the third goal, and from that point on it just had a feel the end result was fated. Fate being the operative word as two of the the Crew's goals could be considered by some as lucky, one being a shot from Max Arfsten taking a deflection on the way in altering the path past a helpless Roman Celentano, another being an own goal by Miles Robinson who was attempting to block a cross in from Ibrahim Aliyu. Another mantra shared by coach was "you make your own luck" and make no mistake about it, Columbus was making their own luck. After withstanding the initial barrage from FC Cincy who was clearly riding the high of playing at home, it was Columbus who dictated the entirety of the game after the opening 25 minutes.

For FC Cincy fans it was like a bad movie they've already watched before, but couldn't help themselves from watching again hoping for an alternate ending when in fact the end was already written. Or maybe it was another example of the cautionary tale of the tortoise and the hare, with FC Cincy sprinting out to an early lead, dominating as they flew around the pitch creating a lot of problems with their press. Alas it was the tortoise with the steady, deliberate play that would eventually overtake the game and seal the destiny of the hare. Either way the end result was the same. Columbus proved their mettle once again knocking off the top team in the East for the second time in their last three games (defeated Philadelphia 1-0 when they were in the top spot). Overall it was a very impressive performance for the Crew, below are my three biggest takeaways from the massive result.

Darlington Nagbe is still our most important player

It feels like everything has already been said about the captain, yet it still doesn't feel like enough. Watching the game you could tell Nagbe wanted it. It's the same look in his eye and the same high level of effort in chase down tackles, sprinting to 50/50 balls that he had in the Inter Miami game in Cleveland. This game was another reminder of how influential of a player he is as the engine that makes this team go. With things on the edge of spiraling for about the first 25 minutes it was the stoicism emanating from Nagbe that made the team never lose belief. It was Nagbe that was the architect of the first goal to get the team into position to swing the game back in their favor. While the finish by Diego Rossi may arguably be his best of the season, few people will recognize the fact it was Nagbe who transitioned that play from the defensive third to midfield in short order by attacking the empty space to force decisions by the FC Cincy backline. He eventually played it out wide for Aliyu who shot to the top of the box and squared it for Rossi to finish. This goal only happens because the captain decided to impose his will. Getting the team back to a level of comfort, reminding everyone who they are and how they play all comes down to him. He's the perfect leader for this team and is built for moments like these. His name didn't show up in the box score, but his imprint and influence were all over this result.

Having Arfsten back in the team certainly made an impact. We've missed his offensive aggression attacking the goal with a firm belief he's the better player. That level of confidence would've only improved after his stint in the Gold Cup getting meaningful starts for the US national team. This team is in desperate need of a player who's willing to attack the goal with that kind of belief, expecting to score each time he shoots. That's where it feels like he's at right now and it could not have come at a better time. FC Cincy was forced to honor his abilities, which was exemplified on the goal he scored just before the halftime whistle. He received a ball with his back to goal at the edge of the 18, and instead of being on his back perhaps concerned about a quick turn the defender stood off him allowing him to face up to the goal. When Arfsten finds himself in a situation like that you know the stepover to the right foot curler is coming, sure enough that's what happened and the shot found the back of the net. While it do go in off a deflection the shot still had to be taken, which is why having him back is a huge benefit, he will not hesitate to shoot and that's what the Crew needs. He led the team in shots on target in his first game back which should show where his mind is at right now. His game felt different on Saturday, he's carrying himself with more confidence and hopefully that trend continues. If he could develop into the attacker with a killer mindset we've been looking for it would certainly unlock another level for this team. For now, it was great for him to get a goal in his return, especially in the derby match. While guys like Lassi Lappalainen have filled in admirably, it was very good to have Arfsten back in the team.

Wilfried Nancy with a masterclass in coaching

Columbus is lucky to have Nancy as their coach. Again he proved how his tactics, adjustments and personnel decisions can overcome significant adversity. This team, with Nagbe as an extension of Nancy on the pitch, has adopted a mindset of concentrating on the process and not be so results driven, as they will come so long as the process is done well. His impact on the team is not just tactic driven, although there's no debate he's a tactical wizard, the impact is exemplified by the sheer resilience and will this team puts on display over and over. In one of the most hostile environments they'll be in this season, down 2-0 before you even break a sweat the team didn't blink. It had a feel of knowing the situation but not becoming a victim of it. They put their heads down and continued playing their game knowing if they cleaned up some of the effort the result would be theirs. This level of belief and confidence stems directly from coach Nancy. From day one he's said the team will concede goals just by the brand of soccer they play, but the focus of the team will be on the process and journey. What a journey he led on Saturday night. You could feel after Columbus got their first goal they had a grip on the game, and once they had that it was just about squeezing it. What an impressive performance of mental fortitude this team put on in Cincinnati, again. He has a feel for the game and makes minor adjustments throughout to expose their advantages, and he does this at a level that puts him right at the top of coaches in the league. Coach Nancy deserves a lot of credit for this win as well.

While Columbus certainly enjoyed another opportunity to "big brother" FC Cincy, there will be little time to celebrate as a mid-week matchup in Nashville awaits them on Wednesday. Nashville currently sits tied with the Crew for third in the East (two points back of Philadelphia). It's been a brutal stretch of games for Columbus, but they've been up to the task extending their unbeaten streak to five games now (four of those games being wins). Wednesday's game in Nashville will wrap up a three game road trip and they'll return home Saturday for a matchup with DC United.