On Friday, Hell is Real once again takes center stage. FC Cincinnati will travel north on I-71 to take on the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field for the latest edition of the derby. Columbus comes into this match having lost six consecutive matches, sitting just below the playoff line in ninth place.
Let’s break down this Hell is Real matchup, by the numbers.
5
Midfielder Luciano Acosta sits at five assists so far this season. That number puts him tied with Emmanuel Ledesma for the most assists in a single season (2019) as well as the most career assists in an FC Cincinnati uniform. He has also scored or assisted on four of FCC’s last seven goals.
7
Friday night’s clash will be the seventh time the Orange and Blue have faced the Black & Gold in their MLS history. FC Cincinnati have met their in-state rivals more than any other team in the League.
36
Yuya Kubo is among the MLS leaders in successful tackles with 36. He is just one behind the League leaders, Claudio Bravo (POR) and Kyle Duncan (ATL), who are both defenders. The 27-year-old midfielder has the most tackles of any non-defender in the League.
50
Friday night is a chance at another milestone for the hometown kid, Nick Hagglund. An appearance would mean number 50 for the defender from the Queen City. Last time out, Hagglund made his 49th career FC Cincinnati appearance, breaking the record for most MLS appearances by a player in Orange and Blue.
By the numbers is presented by CTI
