[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s not how you want to start the season, but there is a silver lining.
Despite Columbus Crew SC falling to Houston Dynamo 1-0 in the season opener, the Black & Gold controlled most of the match.
Crew SC had possession of the ball for nearly 60-percent of the match and had developed multiple chances on the attack, with six shots on target out of 18 total. All that was missing was the elusive finishing touch.
“We lost the game. Having said that, I think our performance was pretty good. I give the Houston Dynamo a lot of credit for winning the game,” Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter said following Saturday’s loss. “We had a lot of chances, and I think we did everything but score.”
A lax moment in defense — Berhalter’s words — allowed Houston an opportunity to score. Kofi Sarkodie — who had been busted open after a collision in the first half — used some fancy foot work to cut past Columbus defenders and set up Giles Barnes for the 66th minute goal. Barnes cut across the box and turned to meet the ball, rocketing it high into the goal for the 1-0 tally.
Crew SC had multiple chances in the second half as the Black & Gold laid the attack on heavy. But Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric delivered for his side, making critical stops and earning six saves on the night.
In the 53rd minute, Kei Kamara — a former Dynamo — nearly headed home the first goal but Deric made a quick stretch to his left to send the shot wide. Deric was lucky later in the half, earning an assist by the crossbar. Federico Higuain launched an attack that saw his attempt from inside the box smacking the crossbar instead of meeting the back of the net.
Tony Tchani made a follow up move but his shot was directed to Deric, keeping it 1-0.
“That’s why he’s their goalkeeper,” Berhalter said of Deric. “That’s why he’s at this level, because he’s capable of doing what he did tonight.”
Tchani would add that he felt the Black & Gold didn’t capitalize on the chances they had been given.
“I think we were kind of unlucky,” Tchani said. “We didn’t take our chances. We had a few chances on goal. They had two or three chances, and they took one.”
Columbus had 13 chances as a team to score, with Hernan Grana and Kristinn Steindorsson each recording three chances in their debuts with the club.
Crew SC have opened the previous two seasons on the road, posting 3-0 victories in those matches. Many expected Columbus to get a hat trick, including The Pit’s Sean Cahill, who predicted Crew SC would win 3-1.
Emanuel Pogatez and Tchani received yellow cards in the contest.
“Ultimately, we know we did some good things,” Berhalter said. “We know that we did everything but score a goal. But there’s no room to be satisfied. It’s still not acceptable to lose that game.”
Crew SC will return to Columbus Saturday to host Toronto FC at MAPFRE stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
Editor’s note: The Pit will be at MAPRFRE Stadium for LIVE coverage of the Columbus Crew SC home opener. Follow The Pit on Twitter @ThePit_SE.
