Hell is Real: Gazdag secures Ohio bragging rights for Columbus | OneFootball

By José Nuñez

Hell is Real, and the Ohio derby delivered fireworks until the final whistle once more as the Columbus Crew completed a come-from-behind victory over in-state rivals FC Cincinnati, 2-1 at home, on Saturday night.

After an early Cincy goal created by Evander and finished by Kévin Denkey, Columbus responded with two goals just before halftime as Jamal Thiaré nodded home a corner kick header before Dániel Gazdag converted from the penalty spot to secure the Crew’s fifth win of the season.

Another classic

It is never a calm or comfortable affair when Columbus and Cincinnati meet in Hell Is Real. The two bitter rivals once again made the most of the opportunity to battle for Ohio bragging rights, and on a night that required a first-half comeback for the Crew to emerge on top, emotions ran high until the final whistle.

For interim head coach Laurent Courtois, however, there was little room for emotion to dictate how his team responded after falling behind early.

“This is a game of emotion, for sure. But also, are we doing the stuff that we agreed would put us in a position to succeed, or do we let go because now we are chasing?” said Courtois postgame.

“Those are things that I try to stress more and try to get the attention away from the current result.”

The intensity even spilled into stoppage time, with Cincinnati’s Gerardo Valenzuela receiving a red card in the 93rd minute as tensions boiled over.

Timely spark

Courtois, now responsible for two of the Crew’s five league victories this season, has been tasked with helping the club rediscover its identity and ethos after a difficult start to the 2026 campaign while also helping players like Gazdag regain the form that made them successful.

“I have been reinforcing what he has been doing well. He is bringing a bit of a bite and recognizing, in the last third, in general, being more present, more aggressive, and more aware of the options I’d like for him to think about in that phase of the game,” said Courtois of his Designated Player.

Gazdag joined Columbus in April 2025 in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Union. During his time in Philadelphia, he scored 72 goals in 161 appearances across all competitions but has yet to replicate that same success with the Ohio-based club.

Perhaps the Hungarian is finding that peak form again, scoring twice in as many matches since the restart of the MLS season.

Fortifying the foundation

Further boosting Crew's confidence moving forward, additional reinforcements are waiting in the wings.

Newly announced DP Brais Méndez arrives in MLS with high expectations after making 275 La Liga appearances, while former Manchester United center back Eric Bailly brings extensive European experience.

That said, Courtois remains focused on the style of play he wants his team to embody.

“I want this club to be recognized for what it has done and what it can do in the future…" said Courtois. "We want to win, and we want to win a certain way.”

Columbus will look to build on this momentum when they visit reigning MLS Cup presented by Audi champions Inter Miami CF at Nu Stadium on August 1 (7:30 pm ET | Apple TV).

WATCH: Columbus Crew claim Hell is Real bragging rights