FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew players nearly came to blows on Saturday night inside the tunnel leading to their respective locker rooms.
Social media video showed coaches, security and uniformed police officers having to get in between players from the rival MLS clubs to de-escalate a heated situation that started on the pitch at the end of the Crew’s 2-1 win over Cincinnati.
FC Cincinnati midfielder Brian Anunga (27) holds back Columbus Crew midfielder André Gomes (20) from getting to FC Cincinnatis Gerardo Valenzuela (22) in the second half of the match at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
The ugliness first occurred toward the final moments of the match when Cincinnati midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela attempted an aggressive challenge on Crew forward Taha Habroune, chopping at his leg and sending him tumbling to the ground.
The Hell is Real rivalry spilled over into the hallway after the match.Crew players and FC Cincinnati players were yelling back and forth and had to be broken up in the hallway. Here is a minute of that interaction: pic.twitter.com/7I8VgAaKcQ— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) July 26, 2026
The foul led to players from both squads getting into a scuffle on the field, and Valenzuela was eventually assessed a red card for violent conduct.
Referee Allen Chapman pushes back FC Cincinnati midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela (22) as FC Cincinnati midfielder Brian Anunga (27) pushes back Columbus Crew midfielder Max Arfsten (27) and forward Chase Adams (46) after Valenzuela fouled Columbus Crew midfielder Taha Habroune (16) during the second half of the match at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Barbara Perenic-Imagn Images
However, things didn’t calm down much after the final whistle, with Columbus defender Mohamed Farsi and team captain Sean Zawadzki having to be held back by teammates and coaches from running into the visitor tunnel, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
And then moments later things escalated once again, which led to the scene that was captured by 10TV WBNS reporter Adam King.
The video showed players from both teams shouting at one another as coaches, security and police stood between them.
Eventually, cooler heads prevailed as the two clubs went their separate ways.
“In the tunnel, nothing really happened,” Farsi told the Columbus Dispatch. “It’s not the image that we want to show to young kids who watch us, but at the end of the day we try to protect our players from some vicious play like that, some dangerous plays.”
FC Cincinnati midfielder Brian Anunga (27) reacts after teammate midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela (22) was assessed a red card by referee Allen Chapman following a skirmish on the field during the second half. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Crew head coach Laurent Courtois told the outlet that “something stupid happened and then guys got a little bit heated” when describing the whole incident.
The match was both clubs’ second since the World Cup break came to an end and MLS resumed its regular season.
