A playoff series requires a short memory, leaving no time to dwell on a defeat or revel in a victory.

That's why the Columbus Crew will have a proverbial blank slate when they travel two hours down I-71 on Saturday to face FC Cincinnati in the decisive match of their first-round best-of-three series. The winner will advance to the semifinals against Inter Miami or Nashville SC.

No. 7 seed Columbus rebounded from a 1-0 loss in Cincinnati on Oct. 27 for a 4-0 home win on Sunday, aided by a red card to Cincinnati midfielder Yuya Kubo in the 38th minute.

"We were happy after the (second) game but you have to move on, because everyone will forget about this game, and everyone will be focused about Saturday," Crew defender Steven Moreira said. "We did the same when we lost over there last Mon

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