[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t may have been a mid-week match, but Wednesday night’s showdown between Crew SC and newly minted NYCFC gave an adrenaline rush to many of the 15,514 in attendance at MAPFRE Stadium.
High humidity levels and a severe weather delay would present a challenge to both teams’ fitness levels, making substitutions an important factor for the Black & Gold.
In a match that featured impressive debuts from Harrison Afful and Cedric Mabwati, NYCFC’s veteran-laden squad of Andrea Pirlo and David Villa were able to match the same intensity offensively with each scoring chance in the final third.
The middle third of the pitch would be dominated by the home side for the first 30 minutes, dictating the offensive tempo that heavily favored the Black & Gold. Afful as well as MLS All-Star Waylon Francis pushed the Columbus attack high along the flanks, swinging a high number of crosses into the box. Dominating NYCFC by a 38-18 margin on crosses, Afful registered seven in just 60 minutes of play. After a number of near-misses, Crew SC would finally find the back of the net at the 24 minute mark with a Kei Kamara header assisted dynamic duo counterpart Ethan Finlay.
The goal would mark the Sierra Leonean’s 18th of the 2015 MLS Campaign and Finlay’s 13th assist.
Facing a 1-0 deficit, NYCFC would begin to amp up the offensive intensity with European superstars Pirlo and Villa looking for the equalizer as passing lanes began to open for Kwadwo Poku into the final third. New York wouldn’t find the equalizer before head referee Allen Chapman would blow the halftime whistle, but the momentum swing would ultimately favor the visitors heading into the second half.
NYCFC’s midfield would begin to establish form and penetrate the Crew SC defensive midfield on the counter-attack with well-timed runs by USMNT midfielder Mix Diskerud and Thomas McNamara. Forcing Columbus into giveaways in the midfield, Villa would capitalize in the 57th minute finding a streaking Poku on the through-ball for a simple poke past Steve Clark.
Registering seven of his team’s 15 total shots, Villa was a scoring threat throughout the match.
With the Crew SC defense on its heels, NYCFC would take a 2-1 lead in the 66th minute would take advantage off a poorly-defended set piece. Heading down a Pirlo corner, Jacobson found the feet of Poku at the top of the box, striking it into the net to give the Ghanaian a brace.
In a post-game interview, Ethan Finlay alluded to the early second half defensive breakdown as well as Crew SC’s sense of urgency to re-establish form on the attack . “The flow just was different. We couldn’t get something consistent going. And then obviously when the break happened (severe weather delay at 77th minute), we lost all momentum “, said Finlay.
Immediately after the Poku goal, Columbus Sporting Director and Head Coach Berhalter turned to his bench, bringing in Mabwati to re-ignite the Crew SC attack. The Congolese midfielder would make an impact in his first five minutes on the pitch, scoring a 72nd minute goal off a beautiful distribution via the African connection from Kamara. Just as the match would heat up and electrify MAPFRE, ironically it was a lightning strike and severe weather that would delay the match for over an hour.
With the match resuming at 10:25 p.m. ET, both teams countered back and forth for the final 17 minutes (including stoppage time) for the game-winner. Despite a few set piece chances and late substitutions, neither side was able to notch the third and decisive goal in the muggy MAPFRE air.
Berhalter praised the Black & Gold for their response after the weather delay. “I thought the attitude was excellent from the guys. I’m proud of the focus they had in those last 14 minutes. A little disappointed we didn’t get the goal, but it was a good mentality”, said Berhalter.
