It’s round No. 2 for the Montreal Impact and Columbus Crew SC, this Saturday at MAPFRE Stadium, starting at 7:30pm EDT (RDS, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things to know about Crew SC.
Context
After a loss at Olympic Stadium, Crew SC (2-4-2, 8 pts) clinched their first two wins of the season, at home to New York City FC (3-2) and Houston Dynamo (1-0). But Gregg Berhalter’s team just suffered its fourth loss of the season, 1-0, in Seattle.
Current form
D-D-L-W-W-L
Head coach
Gregg Berhalter (31-25-20 all-time as Columbus Crew SC head coach) has been head coach and sporting director of Crew SC since November 6, 2013, months after new owner Anthony Precourt took over the club. As Precourt worked on reinventing the club’s brand, Berhalter worked on reinventing the team’s style, bringing them back to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in three seasons on his first attempt. After an Eastern Conference semifinal loss to New England Revolution, in 2014, Berhalter led Crew SC to the 2015 MLS Cup, where the Portland Timbers prevailed.
Current top scorer
Kei Kamara (3)
Players to watch
1. Federico Higuaín (#10) – Gonzalo’s brother has been a joy to watch since he joined MLS in 2012. Wherever he may roam, he’ll score and create.
2. Justin Meram (#9) – Unselfish in the defence phase, Meram helps Crew SC create overloads in the middle but doesn’t forget his responsibilities.
3. Tony Tchani (#6) – He missed the game at the Big O but recovered his spot against Seattle. He’s probably the most complete of Columbus’ central midfielders.
Team profile
Berhalter’s Crew SC wants to play. It is among the best in MLS when it comes to holding the ball, playing it short but never refraining from widening the play to strongly involved side backs. These two players bring width to Crew SC’s game, but they will cut inside from time to time to receive a through ball. If they do work their flank, cutbacks, as well as crosses to Kamara, can lead to chances. Behind Kamara, Federico Higuaín enjoys a rather free role – building up play next to Trapp, moving forward as a nominal second striker, etc. Higuaín is also one of those players that can turn a game around with an unpredictable moment of magic. Either side of him, wide midfielders – whether their name is Hector Jimenez, Ethan Finlay or Justin Meram – look for pockets of space in central positions. As such, the flanks can be freed up in the defensive transition, and Columbus has been looking vulnerable in wide positions; Crew SC conceded goals on a corner kick from the right and a cross from the left against Montreal, on a cross from the left against New York City FC and on a cross from the right against Seattle. Set plays have also been a problem, with goals recently conceded on a corner against Montreal and on a penalty kick against NYCFC. Crew SC has also lacked effectiveness in front of goal; the team scores one goal every 16 shots or so, the worst such ratio in MLS.
Tactical formation
Gregg Berhalter still has faith in his 4-2-3-1. Lineup v. Seattle (April 30): Clark; Afful, Parkhurst, Wahl, Francis; Trapp, Tchani; Finlay, Higuaín, Meram; Kamara.
Against the Impact last season
These two teams faced off twice last season, the Impact winning both: 2-1 in Columbus on June 6, with goals from Maxim Tissot and Andrés Romero, and 3-0 at Stade Saputo on June 6, thanks to a Dominic Oduro brace and a Marco Donadel screamer. But the Impact lost to Crew SC in the Eastern Conference semifinals, 4-3 on aggregate.
Injuries (as of May 4)
D Gaston Sauro (hamstring injury)
M Mohammed Saeid (concussion symptoms)
Next games
Columbus Crew SC v. Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz (friendly, May 11)
Columbus Crew SC v Colorado Rapids (MLS, May 14)
Toronto FC v. Columbus Crew SC (MLS, May 21)
