News Summary
FC Cincinnati is set to face Columbus Crew in the first round of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. The best-of-3 series kicks off on October 27 at TQL Stadium. Cincinnati, as the No. 2 seed, enjoys home field advantage for Game 1, broadcasted live on various networks. Game 2 will take place in Columbus, with a potential Game 3 scheduled back in Cincinnati. The playoffs include decisive matches with penalty kicks if needed, paving the way for an exciting postseason.
Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati is set to host the Columbus Crew in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One, featuring a best-of-3 series that will kick off on Monday, October 27. As the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, Cincinnati benefits from home field advantage, with Game 1 taking place at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, at 6:45 p.m. ET. Tickets for the match are currently available for purchase at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets.
Game 1 will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and Fox Deportes. Additionally, local radio coverage for the match in English will be provided by iHeart Fox Sports 1360, while La Mega 101.5 FM will handle the Spanish broadcasts. The series will continue with Game 2 held at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Sunday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. ET, which will also be available on MLS Season Pass and local radio.
If necessary, Game 3 will return to TQL Stadium on Saturday, November 8, with the kickoff time to be determined. During this playoff series, each match will feature a definitive winner, with penalty kicks to decide the outcome in the event of a tie at the end of regulation; there will be no overtime play. The team that secures two wins advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
All matches during the playoffs will be accessible via MLS Season Pass, which will be free for Apple TV subscribers. The MLS Cup final is scheduled for Saturday, December 6.
Playoffs Launch Party and Additional Coverage
Fans are encouraged to attend a special Playoffs Launch Party at MadTree Parks & Rec in Blue Ash on Wednesday, October 22, starting at 6:30 p.m. Special programming covering the playoffs will include editions of MLS Countdown and MLS Wrap-Up, in addition to Spanish-language shows MLS La Previa and El Resumen.
Teams’ Performance Leading to the Playoffs
FC Cincinnati secured their No. 2 seed by defeating Montreal decisively with a 3-0 victory on Decision Day. The Columbus Crew earned the No. 7 seed after a 3-1 win against the New York Red Bulls. Historically, the last postseason meeting between these rivals occurred in 2023, where Columbus triumphed in a close match that ended 3-2 in extra time.
This season, FC Cincinnati faced Columbus twice, managing only one win through a draw and a loss, revealing a notable struggle against their opponents. However, Cincinnati enters the playoff series with momentum, boasting four wins in their last five matches, while Columbus has only managed one victory in the same timeframe, suggesting Cincinnati may have the upper hand as they approach this playoff series.
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Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
