Kevin Denkey scores again as FC Cincinnati-Columbus Crew draw 1-1 in Hell is Real derby

COLUMBUS − On Friday, FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said it was important for his slew of newcomers to understand the history and significance of the Hell is Real derby. 

When kickoff came, Kevin Denkey wasted no time making history with a sixth-minute goal that set the tone at Lower.com Field. That goal served as the majority of FC Cincinnati's offense on the night as the Orange and Blue settled for a 1-1 draw in front of 20,363 fans in a battle of two of the top teams in Major League soccer.

FC Cincinnati wrapped up an eight-day stretch with seven points after wins over Austin FC and Toronto FC followed by the draw.

"I'm proud of the way our guys represented the club on a night where we were second best. They punished us," Noonan said. "That's a hard-fought point. I think we're fortunate to walk off the field with one."

May 17, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; FC Cincinnati fans enter the stadium before the game against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field.

Kevin Denkey scores in first Hell is Real derby appearance

Denkey, who has now scored five times in the last six matches, became the quickest player in FC Cincinnati history during the MLS era to score 10 goals (17 games). 

Denkey was in the right spot near the net when a deflection from Columbus goalie Patrick Schulte was met with a bicycle kick assist from Evander.

"It's amazing because it's the derby and one of the big matches of the season," Denkey said. "I thought we'd take the three points, but we got one. My role is to be in the box; my role is to be ready. We have good players on the team that can give the ball."

Kevin Denkey scores his goal only six minutes into the game, his fifth in the past six matches. Denkey became the quickest player in FC Cincinnati history during the MLS era to score 10 goals (17 games).

After FC Cincinnati's early tally, Columbus wasted no time trying to find the equalizer with a consistent attack that came up empty for the final 40 minutes of the first half.

At the intermission, FC Cincinnati still held a 1-0 advantage despite the Crew keeping possession 65.9% of the time with a 6-5 edge in total shots and nearly double the amount of total passes (325-168).

"There are also so many moments within the game that we're not making the right decisions with our attacking pieces," Noonan said of FC Cincinnati's lack of offense for the majority of Saturday's draw.

Columbus Crew breakthrough with penalty kick goal

Columbus found the equalizer early in the second half after an FC Cincinnati miscue. A handball penalty in the box allowed Crew forward Diego Rossi to notch his team-high seventh goal of the season with a penalty kick in the 55th minute.

FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano (18) saves the ball during the first half against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field Saturday, May 17. Celentano had an outstanding game despite the Crew having most of the good scoring chances throughout.

FC Cincinnati didn't take advantage of a 7-2 lead in corners during the first half and its offense did not produce a shot on goal the majority of the second half.

FC Cincinnati goalie Roman Celentano helped the visitors survive constant Columbus threats with a few acrobatic saves, including a Jacen Russell-Rowe header in the 74th minute and a point-blank attempt from Daniel Gazdag just three minutes later.

Celentano was banged up and received medical attention in the box near the 80th minute but stayed in the match.

"We made a couple of outstanding saves because they had a couple of very dangerous crosses," Noonan said.

Pat Noonan on Hell is Real derby scheduling: 'It makes no sense.'

While Saturday's tilt between two of the best clubs in soccer highlighted MLS Rivalry week, both squads were coming off cluttered calendars that featured Wednesday fixtures north of the border. FC Cincinnati beat Toronto while Columbus battled Montreal to a 1-1 draw.

“It makes no sense. If you’re gonna look at the schedule and say, ‘these are the most important games on the calendar,’ why are we doing that on the backend of a three-game week with all of these rivalry matches," Noonan said. "It’s not just FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus. Guys give everything, but you’d like to have it on a full week where maybe it’s even more intense.

FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan thinks the rivalry games should be played with a a full week of lead time, but that wasn't the case for this season's Hell is Real derby Saturday, May 17.

"This was such a quick turnaround that we couldn't talk about Columbus until Thursday... I think it took away a little bit of the steam, excitement and buildup from it for everyone that was playing a rivalry match tonight."

FC Cincinnati will have six days of rest and Columbus will have five before the Hell is Real derby returns to TQL Stadium on Saturday, July 12.

What’s next for FC Cincinnati? 

After three games in eight days, FC Cincinnati gets a week’s rest before wrapping up an three-match road streak on Sunday, May 25 against Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

The two clubs battled to a 2-2 draw March 22 at TQL Stadium.

"It was a good week as far as points gained," Noonan said. "If we're looking at the week as a whole and say, 'how did we perform?' There's a lot more for us to work on."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kevin Denkey scores again as FC Cincinnati-Columbus Crew draw 1-1 in Hell is Real derby