{"id":44025,"date":"2022-07-18T10:20:14","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T14:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=44025"},"modified":"2022-07-18T14:05:32","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T18:05:32","slug":"cucho-hernandez-hell-is-real","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/07\/18\/cucho-hernandez-hell-is-real\/","title":{"rendered":"Cucho Hern\u00e1ndez shines again as Columbus Crew win Hell is Real Derby"},"content":{"rendered":"

COLUMBUS, Ohio<\/strong> – Columbus Crew hosted FC Cincinnati on Sunday evening for the final matchday of MLS Rivalry Week (which has been two weekends<\/a>, but I digress). Cucho Hern\u00e1ndez and Lucas Zelaray\u00e1n versus Cincy without Lucho Acosta. Columbus trying to climb up the table with a new signing breathing life into their season. Cincy with their best year every by far.<\/p>\n

Cucho Hern\u00e1ndez shines again as Columbus Crew win Hell is Real Derby<\/h2>\n

Both teams had close calls in the first half. The visitors nearly struck first three minutes in. Brandon V\u00e1zquez found \u00c1lvaro Barreal at the back post but Eloy Room was there to make the save off the line. Columbus thought Steven Moreira earned a penalty in the 11th minute as John Nelson got a tug on his jersey as Moreira went in toward the goalkeeper. Nothing was called as Marcos de Oliveira called a tight game as the center official.<\/p>\n

Cucho Hern\u00e1ndez opened the scoring in the 16th minute on a set piece. Zelaray\u00e1n found him on a set piece as the No. 9 attacked the ball and flicked it inside the back post. It was the fourth goal for the No. 9 in three games since joining the club.<\/p>\n

Cincinnati had their moments but could not finish. Alan Cruz had a header blocked in the 33rd minute. Columbus opened things up on the counter, up a goal in the second half. Minutes into the half, Luis D\u00edaz nearly got a ball from Cucho at the back post for a tap in.\u00a0Substitute Arquimides Ord\u00f3\u00f1ez had the best look of the second half from the run of play at the hour mark, but he could not get anything on it.<\/p>\n

With the game in the balance, one of the stars for Columbus iced the game in the 86th minute. With Cincinnati in a fire fight in their own box, Zelaray\u00e1n shot a ball off Obinna Nwobodo’s hand for a penalty. The No. 10 converted the PK and the match ended 2-0.<\/p>\n

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Zelarayan to Cucho. DYNAMIC. DUO.#Crew96<\/a> | #CLBvCIN<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NvqKp9DfKv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) July 18, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n