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'Infierno es real,' 4 takeaways ahead of Columbus Crew Hell is Real MLS playoff series
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- 'Infierno es real,' 4 takeaways ahead of Columbus Crew Hell is Real MLS playoff series
The rivalry between the Columbus Crew and Cincinnati FC goes beyond language barriers. "Infierno es real," as said in Spanish by the Crew's Andrés Herrera. "L'enfer est réel," translated into French by coach Wilfried Nancy.
"To be honest, in English, it sounds better," Nancy admitted.
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Ahead of the highly anticipated Hell is Real playoff series starting on Oct. 27, Nancy provided injury updates for key starters and discussed playing a best-of-three set against an opponent his squad beat and then tied during the regular season.
"If we do the same, they know what we're gonna do," Nancy said, comparing his strategy to jazz music. "That's why the idea is to have a bit of improvisation at the moment."
Nancy led the Crew past FC Cincinnati in one of the most famous Hell is Real rivalry games in 2023 with a 3-2 comeback playoff win at TQL Stadium to advance to the MLS Cup finals; the Crew won the league title a week later.
Last season, the Crew's title defense ended when they were swept in a best-of-three series by the New York Red Bulls in the first round.
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"There's a fine margin," Nancy said of what he took from the 2024 upset.
"I believe we had so many chances last year to win the games, but we didn't do it," he added. "What I've learned is focus on the next game and try to be the best as you can. ... Don't waste your time trying to make assumptions."
Crew midfielder Diego Rossi 'could have played' against Red Bulls, other injury updates from Wilfried Nancy
Nancy is taking a wait-and-see approach to star forward Diego Rossi's hamstring injury and availability for the Hell is Real opener.
Mar 29, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Columbus Crew forward Diego Rossi (10) kicks the ball past D.C. United midfielder Hosei Kijima (77) to score a goal during the second half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
However, Nancy said Rossi "could have played" in the Crew's 3-1 victory against the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 18.
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The Uruguayan forward was a major catalyst for the Crew's offense in 2025. He scored a hat trick before leaving the Sept. 13 game against Atlanta with his injury. He had 16 goals through 29 matches. For context, Jacen Russell-Rowe , who has the second-most goals on the team, scored seven times during the regular season.
"Diego is an important player for us and the team, but the team works all week, and when one needs to play, then you can tell the talent these players have," midfielder Andres Herrera said via a translator. ".... (He will) hopefully be back for these coming games."
Nancy reiterated that forward Wessam Abou Ali (hairline fracture) remains on the same six-week timetable for returning from injury. He was hurt Sept. 20. Midfielder Mo Farsi , who had sports hernia surgery on Sept. 24, still has an unknown return date.
Andres Herrera brings Superclásico experience, soccer's most intense rivalry, to Hell is Real playoff series
While 12 Crew players on the 2025 team, including six starters, were on the Crew roster for the 2023 conference finals win, Andres Herrera brings his own rivalry experience into Hell is Real.
COLUMBUS, OHIO - FEBRUARY 22: Darlington Nagbe #6 and Andrés Herrera #2 of the Columbus Crew celebrate after their team's 4-2 victory during the MLS match between Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire at Lower.com Field on February 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Herrera played numerous times in the famed Argentine rivalry between his River Plate club and Boca Juniors. Dubbed "Superclásico," the derby is considered among the world's best, along with the Manchester derby in the Premier League and El Clásico in La Liga.
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The entire country of Argentina watches the matches played between River Plate and Boca Juniors. Their rivalry dates back more than 100 years with 265 total meetings. The fanbases represent a working-class vs. upper-class ethos, which has led to intense on-the-pitch moments and sometimes violent moments off the pitch.
"The focus is what defines these games," said Herrera. "That's what we need to work on on the pitch and what we need to take into these matches."
The Argentine defender has only played three minutes against Cincinnati since joining Columbus on loan from River Plate, but has three goals in the last six matches for the Crew. Primarily a right back on River Plate, Herrera has shifted roles in Nancy's system and is more involved in the attack.
He scored the equalizer in the 16th minute against the Red Bulls, with the goal helping push the Crew into the No. 7 playoff seed.
Homegrown Taha Habroune gets his first playoff taste of Hell is Real rivalry
A then-17-year-old Taha Habroune was at home in Columbus with his family when he watched his future club shock Cincinnati FC on the road in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.
Columbus Crew forward Taha Habroune (16) passes the ball against Toronto FC in the second half at Lower.com Field on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
"It feels even better to come back and win than just to win," Habroune said about the first-ever Hell is Real playoff match. "It was amazing."
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Down 2-1 in the 86th minute, Haubroune's future teammate, Rossi, nestled a low ball in the corner of the net to keep the Crew alive with a chance to decide their fate in overtime.
After back-and-forth chances, the Crew found the net when striker Cucho Hernández served a perfect header to Christian Ramirez , who tapped the ball in at the climax of the rivalry's epic playoff chapter.
Asked about his household's reaction to the stunning Crew goals, Habroune answered with a smirk, "There was a lot of yelling."
Jul 12, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; FC Cincinnati defender Alvas Powell (2) dribbles against Columbus Crew midfielder Taha Habroune (16) in the second half at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
At just 19 years old, Habroune has already made an impact on the rivalry. In his two years with Columbus, as a member of Crew 2 and the club's first team, he has scored six goals. Four have come against Cincinnati.
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"Growing up, we always wanted to beat Cinci," Habroune said. "Every time I play against them, I have a little more. I always want to give a little more and be the reason we win. It's been working, so we'll try again next week."
Columbus Crew fans in the Nordecke wave Hell Is Real flags prior to the MLS soccer match against FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field in Columbus on May 17, 2025.
You couldn't write a better script for the Columbus native who scored his first MLS goal in the closing minutes of July's 4-2 win over FC Cincinnati.
"There is no price for a player that comes from the city," Nancy said. "He knows what it means to win for Columbus, and for me, this is unbelievable."
Goalie Patrick Schulte wants to play with 'fieriness' against Cincinnati, let intensity show on the big stage
Goalie Patrick Schulte allowed two goals in the opening five minutes in the July 12 Hell is Real match, a less-than-ideal way to start a heated soccer rivalry. But over the next 85 minutes and change, the Crew scored four unanswered goals to walk away with a win.
Oct 4, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte (28) against the Orlando City SC during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
In the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals against Cincinnati, he made five critical saves in the second half and extra time to help key a comeback victory for the Black and Gold.
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"Once a goal goes in, it doesn't matter," Schulte said. "We're gonna fight all the way until the end. We've done it before, and there's no reason we can't do it again."
In September, Schulte discussed improving his mental fortitude after an oblique injury plagued him earlier in the year. Against FC Cincinnati in a playoff series, the need to be resilient increases.
"In games like this, you want your emotions to come out, you want to be able to have that edge, have that fieriness in you. ... At the end of the day, this is do or die," said Schulte.
He clearly knows the stakes, but Schulte also has plenty of people ready to remind him.
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"It's not so much doing it for us, but doing it for the fans," he said. "Every time you talk to someone, it's how much they hate Cincinnati. … There's nothing more than you want to give back to them for the support they give all season."
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Diego Rossi injury update and other takeaways ahead of Hell is Real
