Kevin Denkey’s goal in the 78th minute was enough for host FC Cincinnati to claim a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew in the opener of their Eastern Conference opening-round series on Monday.

Match 2 is Sunday in Columbus. A deciding match, if needed, will be Nov. 8 in Cincinnati.

No. 2 seed Cincinnati was knocking on the door before the breakthrough against the seventh-seeded Crew.

Ender Echenique had a free run down the left channel and sent a ball to a marked Evander at the far post. He was able to get the ball in front where Denkey, who had 15 goals in the regular season, did not miss.

FC Cincinnati were comfortable with the lead, with 17 of its 21 MLS wins this season coming by one goal.

Cincinnati was the better side in the first half and was nearly rewarded with the lead in the first minute of stoppage time but Patrick Schulte’s fourth save was the difference.

After Denkey’s attempt from the top of the box was blocked, he gathered the ball and slipped it to his right to Brenner, who ripped a shot that Schulte got his right arm on to send it over the crossbar for a corner.

Schulte, who is in the running to be the third goalkeeper for the U.S. at the 2026 World Cup, had an inconsistent regular season but he was sharp early.

In the 14th minute he made a double save, denying Evander’s shot from the right side of the box. The rebound went directly for a straight-on shot by Samuel Gidi that Schulte didn’t have to move to stop.

The Crew had one shot on target in the first half, coming before the half-hour mark when Max Arfsten got behind the defense and tried to beat Roman Celentano, but the shot was easily stopped.

Celentano made three saves while Schulte had four.

Crew leading scorer Diego Rossi (16 goals) was questionable because of a hamstring injury, but he started and played 75 minutes.

– Field Level Media