Cincinnati II edged out Columbus Crew B 2-1 in an intense Ohio derby at the Mercy Health Training Center on May 11, 2026, continuing their solid form in the MLS Next Pro regular season.

Match Overview

The second-string sides of two Major League Soccer rivals delivered an entertaining contest under the floodlights. Cincinnati II struck twice in the first half to build a commanding lead, then held off a second-half surge from Crew B to secure all three points. The win lifted Cincinnati II into the playoff conversation while Columbus remained mid-table.

Key Moments

• 11th minute – Cincinnati opener: Forward Jake Molina latched onto a through ball from midfielder Samir Petrović and slotted low past the Columbus goalkeeper.
• 38th minute – Quickfire double: Winger Omar Castillo cut inside from the left and curled a right-footed shot into the far corner to make it 2-0.
• 64th minute – Columbus lifeline: Crew B substitute Ethan Vargas headed home from a corner kick, setting up a tense final half-hour.
• 85th minute – Key save: Cincinnati goalkeeper Liam Hart denied Vargas with a reflex stop from close range to preserve the lead.

Tactical Story

Cincinnati II pressed high from the start, forcing Columbus into errors in their own half. The home side’s 4-3-3 formation allowed their wingers to exploit space behind the full-backs, creating the two first-half goals. Columbus Crew B adjusted after the break, switching to a 3-4-3 to add more bodies forward, which paid off with Vargas’s header. However, Cincinnati II’s defensive block held firm in the closing stages, with Hart’s late save proving decisive.

Standout Players

• Samir Petrović (Cincinnati II): The midfield metronome completed 89% of his passes and registered the assist for the opening goal.
• Ethan Vargas (Columbus Crew B): The substitute injected energy into the attack and came agonisingly close to an equaliser.
• Liam Hart (Cincinnati II): Made six saves, including the crucial 85th-minute stop that earned his team the win.

Season Impact

The result pushed Cincinnati II into fifth place in the Eastern Conference of MLS Next Pro, just three points off the playoff spots. Columbus Crew B, meanwhile, slipped to ninth and will need to improve their away form—they have won only once on the road this season. The two Ohio sides meet again on July 30 in the return fixture, with Columbus seeking redemption.