The Impact is back in MLS action this Saturday, paying a second visit to Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium this season. Kickoff for this third game between the two teams in 2016 is scheduled for 7:30pm EDT (TVA Sports, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things to know about Crew SC.
Context
The 4-4 draw against the Impact on May 7 was a turning point in Crew SC’s season. After an argument with Federico Higuaín over a penalty kick, forward Kei Kamara was shipped to New England Revolution. Ola Kamara took over from his namesake in brilliant fashion: a hat trick in a 4-3 win over Real Salt Lake on May 28 and another goal in a 3-2 defeat against Philadelphia on June 1, Crew SC’s most recent MLS game. But the U.S. Open Cup was good to Crew SC on Wednesday night, as they thrashed the Tampa Bay Rowdies by a score of 4-0 with half of their regulars in the starting eleven.
Current form (MLS)
L-D-D-D-W-L
Head coach
Gregg Berhalter (32-26-23 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
Ola Kamara (4)
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. Wil Trapp (#20) – The more withdrawn of the two central midfielders, his defensive contribution is significant, but his long passes can also break a defence down.
(UPDATE: minutes after this article was published, Columbus Crew SC announced that Federico Higuaín underwent successful hernia surgery. He will miss between five and seven weeks of action.)
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 and crosses remain dangerous even though one Kamara made way for another. Ola may not bring the same physical presence that Kei did, but his skills could lead to more efficiency for the Crew down the middle, while also maintaining the team’s usual strengths. 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 remains vulnerable in wide positions; since May, Crew SC has conceded on a cross against Montreal, on a cross and on a corner kick against Salt Lake and again on a cross against Philadelphia.
Tactical formation
Gregg Berhalter still has faith in his 4-2-3-1. Lineup v. Philadelphia (June 1): Clark; Jiménez, Parkhurst, Barson, Francis; Trapp, Saeid; 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 June 16)
GK Matt Pacifici (concussion symptoms)
D Gaston Sauro (knee)
D Tyson Wahl (concussion symptoms – could return to action)
M Tony Tchani (calf – could return to action)
M Federico Higuaín (hernia)
A Conor Casey (knee)
Next games
Columbus Crew SC v. New York Red Bulls (MLS, June 25)
Sporting Kansas City v. Columbus Crew SC (MLS, July 3)
New England Revolution v. Columbus Crew SC (MLS, July 9)
