Kei Kamara put the finishing touch on the match for Columbus, scoring the second Crew SC goal in the 61′ minute for the 2-0 finish over Toronto FC. Photo/Greg Bertram (Columbus Crew SC)
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter going almost two and a half hours of match time without a goal, Columbus Crew SC scored two goals four minutes apart as the Black and Gold dominated Toronto FC in their home opener, taking home all three points with a final score of 2-0.
The first half of the match was a wide open affair as Toronto and Columbus traded opportunities at each net, but after thirty minutes, Columbus’ possession began to take over, resulting in 13 shots in the first half, though none finding the back of the net.
At the 44th minute, Crew SC Right Midfielder Ethan Finley found himself on net and was taken down by Toronto Fullback Justin Morrow. Play was stopped for a foul, though on replay it appeared that Morrow got the ball before the contact. David Gantar received help from his assistant referee and showed red to Morrow and sent him off.
From that point on, the entire match changed.
Columbus took over from the second half kickoff and pushed up higher with each attack. Sporting Director Gregg Berhalter touched on the start of the half and how play progressed being up a man.
“From my perspective, we started the second half and there wasn’t enough tempo in the game” Berhalter stated in his post-match press conference. “They were defending on the left side with Giovinco and it made a lot of space for us and we just didn’t take advantage of that. Once we started moving the ball quicker, you saw how we were able to make chances.”
The change of pace led to the breakthrough goal of the match. In the 57th minute, Finley played in a beautiful cross to the middle of the box to find Justin Meram, who headed the ball down and found the lower right corner of the net.
Four minutes after the breakthrough, Waylon Francis ripped a cross into the box that found the right boot of a jumping Kei Kamara, who laced the ball into the net to make it 2-0. It was Kamara’s first goal back with Columbus, leading to a celebration behind the net paying homage to the old Crew logo with hardhats and a couple of lucky people.
Crew SC’s attack truly opened up in the second half due to the red card. When asked about the change in the layout of the defense from Toronto, Finley said it was all about finding space.
“There was more space in the center of the park.” Finley stated, who assisted the first goal. “We were able to push our outside mids inside a little bit and push our outside backs high up. It gave us more room on the flank. Obviously our two goals came from that.”
Kei Kamara, whose goal was his 53rd in his MLS career, talked about what it meant to get that goal in the home opener.
“It felt great. To get that goal in front of the home fans, it’s amazing.” Kamara stated, but built upon the importance of scoring. “It’s not just about the goal, though. It’s a goal that’s a part of three points so, for me, it feels pretty good.”
One of the unsung heroes of the night was Mohammed Saeid, who was filling in for the suspended Tony Tchani at defensive midfielder along side Wil Trapp.
“He did a great job.” Berhalter commented. “You hope when guys get their chance that they step up, and he certainly did. He never stopped going.”
Saeid’s movement seemed to stifle and frustrate the attackers of Toronto as both he and Trapp managed to break up play multiple times or, at the very least, slow it down and kill any chance of a quick chance at net.
Ultimately, this was as much a team win as any you can find. Columbus went for the kill not long after the second half and never let up on their attack. Toronto was forced to play every outfield player, with the exception of Altidore, behind the ball before the goals were scored. Once down 2-0, Toronto had no choice but to play forward. Their only real threat came at the end of the match on a set piece header that drifted just wide of the net that ended up being the final play of the match.
The three-headed monster of Altidore, Giovinco, and Bradley simply could not get going on this night after a three goal night last week. Altidore was visibly frustrated by the Columbus back four, specifically Parkhurst and Pogatetz, and ultimately had a moment where he threw his arms up to show his displeasure. It’s a real testament to how well Columbus defended, even before the red card.
Next up for Columbus will be the New York Red Bulls, though Crew SC will have a week off as the match won’t be until March 28.
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FINAL STATS
SHOTS: Columbus: 21 (7) Toronto: 11 (3)
TACKLES: Columbus: 11 Toronto: 10
FOULS: Columbus: 12 Toronto: 13
POSSESSION: Columbus: 60% Toronto: 40%
GOALS: Columbus: Meram (57′), Kamara (61′)
ASSISTS: Finley (57′), Francis, Trapp (61′)
YELLOW CARDS: Columbus: 1 (George, 85′)
RED CARDS: Toronto: 1 (Morrow, 45’+1′)
OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE: 15,826
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