Overview
- Kevin Denkey scored in the 78th minute to give No. 2 seed FC Cincinnati a 1-0 win and a 1-0 series lead over No. 7 Columbus.
- Game 2 is Sunday in Columbus, with a deciding Game 3 set for Nov. 8 in Cincinnati if necessary.
- Crew leading scorer Diego Rossi returned from a hamstring issue to start and play 75 minutes, while Wessam Abou Ali remains out.
- Goalkeepers Roman Celentano and Patrick Schulte kept it tight with three and four saves respectively in a defensive, chances-limited match.
- The series winner will face Inter Miami or Nashville in the Eastern Conference semifinals; Miami won its Game 1 against Nashville 3-1.