Pre-match: MLS EC Semi-Final Leg 2: Columbus @ NYC, 11/5, 5pm

NY field looking good today.

 

Simple poll. Too cold to do all the permutations. If one of our fine, intelligent mods can merge thread that would be just special.

 

Too bad about the away goal, but I can't say that we didn't gift NYC enough chances for them to have deserved one.

The more I think about the series, the stranger it gets. NYCFC will have played us three times in a row by Sunday. They had more than a week off between their final regular season match, at "home" against us, and last night's match, while we played 120 minutes at Atlanta in between. I'm a little concerned about fatigue going into Sunday. BUT, the Crew do seem to have excellent roster fitness. It's something Berhalter obviously stresses (recall Manneh's extended period being in training before he was deemed fit enough to get any minutes). NYC's red card last night helps, too.

My primary wish is that we clean up our poor communication on the back line from last night. And make whatever footwear adjustments are necessary to stop the effing slipping! Otherwise, stay the course, just play your game. No bunker ball, IMO. Interesting note from last night: Our possession stats last night were very un-Crew-like; we were all about counter-attacking. Obviously, NYC have to come out pressing for an early goal to have any chance. It would seem a similar game plan to last night's would make sense for us.

 

Can we have someone man-mark Villa? It's so damn congested in that baseball infield that we can afford to lose someone in the midfield.

 

We can't come out and bunker. Again, defending isn't our bag. Play smart, but don't play negative.

The Pigeons need three goals at a minimum so they'll have to over-commit to the attack. Absorb the pressure, clog up the middle, and hit them on the counter. If we can weather the first 20 minutes without giving up a goal, they'll start to get desperate.

If we can snag a goal before half, this thing should be over. I like our chances of making that happen. They'll be aggressive, and we've only been held scoreless six times this season.

Let's win this ********ing thing!

 

Gotta say, when the saw the match stats from last night, I was shocked:

https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2017-10-31-columbus-crew-sc-vs-new-york-city-fc/stats

We only had 37.8% of the possession. It's a perfect reminder that low possession doesn't equal bunker ball.

 

Getting the early goal helped. It seemed like after goals started pouring in it was bunker, outlet, fast break attack - which doesn't help possession numbers.

 

So the permutations for the Crew to advance are ???

• Crew 0 goals in NYC - hold NYC < 3 goals ( 4 + 0 = 4 loses 1 + 3 = 4 with NYC advancing via away goals)
• Crew 1 goal - hold NYC < 4 goals (4 goals would force 30 minutes overtime then penalty kicks to decide)
• Crew 2 goals - hold NYC < 6 ( 4 + 2 = 6 beats 1 + 5 = 6 via away goals )
• Crew 3 - NYC < 7 ... and so on ...

So getting at least one goal in NYC is comfortable. Getting two or more is Miller time...

 

WIN!
I'm for you. An MLS Cup win for Columbus would be a bright spot in some bleak last few months of soccer for me - USMNT, FC Dallas collapse.
I took a look at the potential stadium sites for Austin - the U of Texas track / soccer stadium and a possible new stadium southeast of Austin next to the F1 track. How these are better than Crew Stadium, I don't know unless everyone gets a suite in the new stadium.
As a fan of another low attendance 1996 MLS team (even lower attendance than you!), I hate this Austin move BS for you.

 

Don't give Villa time and Space. And watch out for Jack Harrison.

 

And avoid fouling in dangerous free kick areas. Assuming we get past NYCFC, that'll be even more vital versus Giovinco/TFC, anyway, so we may as well start working on it now.

 

I'd like to see some squad rotation for this match. This will be teams 3rd game in 9 days and 4th in 14 days. Francis at LB, Jukka at RB, Abu at DMid, Hansen and Manneh on the wings. We looked a little tired during the match, need to get fresh legs and minds out there for a big time defensive game. Then if things go sideways, you can bring in meram/pedro and afful for goals if they should be needed

 

The winner of this game has more than 2 weeks off before the next round.

I would expect most of our regulars will start.

 

Yeah, the squad was rotated a tad in this one. Meram played 90 while Santos came off. Santos having played 105 minutes in Atlanta while Meram came out early.

Jiminez got a little rest in Atlanta as well.

No way, barring injury during practice this week, that we see any changes in the starting 11. Dance with those that brung ya.

 

Why is it that MLS calling the Columbus Crew the team of destiny make be want to puke?
And why does it feel like it means we are going to lose?

 

I predict a Crew player will be sent off early, but the remaining guys will "Hulk Up" and continue to completely frustrate Villa.

 

NYC has to press and push forward. This should open the game up. I'd be shocked if the Crew didn't at least tie this game. So win by 3+ goals aggregate.

 

Start your best XI unless someone really needs to rest a injury

 

By x aggregate goals. Not with. We already have 4 aggregate goals.

 

I wouldn't mind getting Francis some run. He has been off for a while but was really playing well prior to his injury. Made the 18 last game. Shake the rust off this game. Could use that left foot on the postage stamp.

If Meram does have a knock, rest him to start. Manneh is fine.

The giveaways from Artur & Williams & Manneh scare me as well. HAVE to clean that up. If it means Abu & Abubakar for a stretch, I am fine with it.

 

One thing is we need to stay healthy for the showdown with TFC. Win this gm and keep good form I think whoever wins the East will win MLS cup. Why not us?

 

There is a good amount of time off after the game as there is a international break.

Citeh will be super aggressive pressing on the postage stamp pitch. If the ref allows a lot of ankle kicking early, they could get back into it & injuries could happen.

 

Seems odd for MLS to take a break because of UEFA matches. Were they expecting the US to finish 4th in CONCACAF or something like that?