Monday, October 5, 2015

Crew SC Defending Around the Box (video) + 4 Thoughts



I'm a little late watching the Crew SC away match vs NY Red Bulls this week. Four comments:

1. Shades of the NE Revs playoff series last year. NY looked like it could get a goal if it needed a goal. In the meantime the just toyed with the Crew SC defense. It was said when Pogatetz left the lineup... no one fears this Crew team and you get the sense when watching them that anyone can put up +1 goals over whatever they are able to produce from (an increasingly predictable) Kei Kamara or Ethan Finlay.

2. Wil Trapp's absence was felt, but I'm not sure the result changes much. Perhaps the team wouldn't have looked bad in some spots on defense and would have gotten a couple more quality chances in the 2nd half.

3. Justin Meram had a "Good Meram" game aided by the early goal (that looked like an own goal on NY?). Either way, once Meram gets going... he plays very confident. Still gives the ball up a little too much but he isn't alone in that. It's something at least two of the three forward mids have to do well. Right now it's only Federico Higuain.

4. Ethan Finlay is playing like a player worn out - mentally. Before the last two months, he had not gone more than two games without a goal or an assist. He's now at 2 goals and 1 assist in his last 10. A rate of 0.34 G+A per 90 minutes played. Still pretty good but much more ordinary now. Berhalter has also subbed him out last four games. Last two in the 64th minute.

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