Columbus lost 0-1 to DC United last night at Crew Stadium. It is their 3rd loss in a row and now only have 6 pts from their last 6 games. If 3 loses in a row looks strange to you, it's because it is. Only one other time in the past 5 seasons has it happened (early April last year).
It's pretty clear that the number one issue with the Crew is in goal scoring. It's probably the laziest analysis you can give about a team, but it honestly is with this group (saying "group" because this drifts into last season).
This isn't to say that "attacking play" isn't there as Columbus has all the necessary habits to create chances like possession, passing accuracy, balanced play, etc. All that stuff is fine. The problem arises when they start getting in and around the box for a good opportunity. Gyasi Zardes is basically a one tool guy. Look for him in front of the box and I'll get you an opportunity. Outside of that you have Justin Meram, Pedro Santos and Robinho trying to advance up and create opportunities, but it isn't happening. They are looking for the cross in to Zardes nearly every time and they need to get off that train.
The result? Columbus is not even getting off 4 shots on goal a game, near the bottom of the league.
The other issue we are seeing is that Artur seems to have drifted up to become more of a box to box central mid when he's not really that. It's taking touches away from Higuain, Santos and Meram/Robinho.
All in all, things with this team have gone flat. They are not terrible by any measure, just not great either.
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Crew Lose at Home, Red Flags
Last weekend's game against previously last-place Portland Timbers proved to be more than just a loss. What we witnessed was a clear truth: Caleb Porter is not Greg Berhalter. And this team is starting to look a little frustrated.
The rare home loss for Columbus didn't do too much damage on the overall table as they only dropped one spot to 9th. It's pretty clear that this position is due to a home-heavy early schedule (5 of 8) at this point. Sorting the table by most home games shows us simply that teams with the most home games are higher up on the table.
RED FLAGS
1. PORTER THE GRUMP.
To start, Porter is a very stoic person that has a crappy "I'm disappointed in you" face or worse "just don't talk to me" demeanor. Leadership, coaching takes many types, but what comes off from him is, well, off-putting. It's been this way since he was in Portland. I don't think players particularly respond positively to it when the team is winning, so when it's not working things go in the toilet. Example here is when Robinho was subbed off for Justin Meram. Robinho just went straight to the bench and threw a fit. Porter just stood there, arms folded (a behavior that says stay away, which he does all the time). It's a small moment, but it's hard for guys with Porter's non-communicative style to rein in stuff like this. It'll fester.
2. CAN'T SCORE.
A growing problem by the minute. 8 goals in 8 games and over half coming from central defenders and flukes. Goals come in all shapes and sizes, but Columbus is getting zero from open play. Teams seem to know what's coming as well. Prevent crossing opportunities and you beat the Crew.
3. NO FANS
Hard to say where the support is. The excuse could be that the new ownership group just needs to find their footing, but it's likely more a hangover from the intensity of last year combined with Blue Jackets fever. On a side note - we haven't heard much, if anything, about new stadium plans. Momentum has come to a crashing halt.
-----------
Crew are back at it again tonight. DC. Keeping an eye on player body language.
The rare home loss for Columbus didn't do too much damage on the overall table as they only dropped one spot to 9th. It's pretty clear that this position is due to a home-heavy early schedule (5 of 8) at this point. Sorting the table by most home games shows us simply that teams with the most home games are higher up on the table.
RED FLAGS
1. PORTER THE GRUMP.
To start, Porter is a very stoic person that has a crappy "I'm disappointed in you" face or worse "just don't talk to me" demeanor. Leadership, coaching takes many types, but what comes off from him is, well, off-putting. It's been this way since he was in Portland. I don't think players particularly respond positively to it when the team is winning, so when it's not working things go in the toilet. Example here is when Robinho was subbed off for Justin Meram. Robinho just went straight to the bench and threw a fit. Porter just stood there, arms folded (a behavior that says stay away, which he does all the time). It's a small moment, but it's hard for guys with Porter's non-communicative style to rein in stuff like this. It'll fester.
2. CAN'T SCORE.
A growing problem by the minute. 8 goals in 8 games and over half coming from central defenders and flukes. Goals come in all shapes and sizes, but Columbus is getting zero from open play. Teams seem to know what's coming as well. Prevent crossing opportunities and you beat the Crew.
3. NO FANS
Hard to say where the support is. The excuse could be that the new ownership group just needs to find their footing, but it's likely more a hangover from the intensity of last year combined with Blue Jackets fever. On a side note - we haven't heard much, if anything, about new stadium plans. Momentum has come to a crashing halt.
-----------
Crew are back at it again tonight. DC. Keeping an eye on player body language.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Crew 8th on MLS True Table
With some teams hitting 7 games, we are slowing climbing our way to a better understanding of good and bad in MLS.
Here's the combined true table as of today:
What jumps out to me is the complete lack of scoring in Crew games. Also, 3 of their 7 have come from set pieces.
The worst team in the league comes to town this weekend. Could get Columbus back on track, in terms of goals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)