What. A. Name. European soccer has some excellent derbies that stretch back far further, but the branding alone is worthy of acknowledgment for MLS rivals FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew. “Hell is Real” refers to a sign found on Interstate 71, the road that connects the two Ohio cities. But there’s more to this than good branding. Two of the best players in MLS - Luciano Acosta and Cucho Hernandez - are represented. And the games? Tight, nervy, cagey. The fixtures this year finished 0-0 and 2-1. Are these nervous games that teams simply hate to lose? Absolutely. And, let’s face it, that kind of dread - a real fear of not wanting to come out on the losing end - separates a good rivalry from a great one.

- Tom Hindle