Columbus Crew SC will face the New York Red Bulls Saturday evening as the Black and Gold look to earn win number two on the season. Photo/Columbus Crew SC
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter a sound 2-0 victory over the Reds of Toronto FC, Columbus Crew SC will welcome in another rival Saturday, taking on the New York Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium.
There is no love lost between these two clubs as there is a very long and detailed history of the disdain that not only players, but supporters have for each other. On what is expected to be a cold and miserable night in Columbus, the Crew are looking to make it two in a row at the friendly confines.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM NEW YORK
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Robles; Duvall, Miazga, Perrinelle, Lawrence; McCarty, Felipe; Sam, Kljestan, Sal Zizzo; Wright-Phillips
Gone is Thierry Henry, having called it a career. In his place is U.S. International Sacha Kljestan, who has 46 international caps to his credit. Kljestan was brought in from RSC Anderlecht for an estimated $1.6million in the offseason to replace the French legend and to slot into the #10 behind Wright-Phillips, who is looking to follow up last year’s golden boot season where he scored 27 goals in 32 matches for NYRB. Instead of the out-and-out press that NYRB used last season under Mike Petke, the team seems to play a more possession/control offense under Jesse Marsch. Sal Zizzo and Lloyd Sam provide the width on this team, but neither are true burners out on the wings.
Dax McCarty has probably earned himself a fine this week after being rather outspoken about the lack of discipline towards Perry Kitchen of D.C. United where the midfielder deliberately stomped on NYRB right fullback Chris Duvall. The NYRB Captain took to twitter to openly slam the MLS Disciplinary Committee and then said that they could go ahead and fine him. While McCarty waits for that fine, he’ll be in the double pivot alongside midfield partner Felipe.
The back four is anchored by center half Matt Miazga, who has picked up some caps lately for the United States U-20 and U-23 squad. He is a bright young defender who will probably find himself in selection sooner rather than later for the senior U.S. squad, given the defending woes that have recently plagued the Stars and Stripes. Miazga is paired up with veteran defender Damien Perrinelle, while Duvall and Lawrence are expected to be out on the flanks. Luis Robles will be between the pipes, and while Crew SC has had to face a couple of larger keepers in their first two matches, Robles is still a difficult opponent even at just 5’11”.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM COLUMBUS
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Clark; Grana, Parkhurst, Pogatetz, Klute; Trapp, Tchani; Finlay, Higuain, Steindorsson; Kamara
Kei Kamara scored the second goal last week against Toronto FC and did so in flamboyant fashion, taking to the stands to celebrate the goal by recreating the old Columbus Crew logo. He is the unquestioned starting #9 for this attack, and his work rate in the first two matches have been outstanding.
Justin Meram is on international duty for Iraq this week, meaning that Iceland International Kristinn Steindorsson, who started the opener against Houston, is expected to slot in on the left wing. Ethan Finlay will take his usual spot on the right flank while Federico Higuain will continue to man the #10.
Wil Trapp is officially listed as questionable after suffering a knock in a scrimmage against University of Akron during the bye week, but he’s expected to play and then immediately hop on a plane for an international call up with the U.S. U-23 squad. Tony Tchani is back after serving a one match suspension, and while Mohammed Saeid put in an outstanding shift last week, Tchani is expected to take his spot back alongside of Trapp. Don’t be surprised if Saeid is put into action for this match, though. The Swedish midfielder is making selection a little harder on Gregg Berhalter, but it’s a good problem to have as he is providing valuable depth for the Black and Gold.
Two weeks ago, any member of the back four could have been Man of the Match, given the job that they did to shutdown Jozy Altidore, Sebastian Giovinco, and Michael Bradley. They will be asked to shut down the defending Golden Boot winner this week, which is no easy task. Waylon Francis is also on international duty this week, getting a call up from Costa Rica, so the expected debut of Chris Klute should be upon us Saturday at left fullback. Hernan Grana has put in two outstanding shifts at right back, so no change is expected there, much like the center halves of Captain Michael Parkhurst and Emanuel Pogatetz. Steve Clark picked up his first clean sheet of the year against Toronto and would love nothing more than to break out the YES! chant after a victory Saturday.
PREDICTION
As stated before, this is not the juggernaut that NYRB were from last season. Wright-Phillips is more on an island this year while Kjlestan, Zizzo, and Sam attempt to feed the ball into him as much as possible.
Columbus, meanwhile, is No. 1 in the league in possession (60.2%) and will look to control the flow of the match as they have done so in their first two matches of the season.
It’s expected to be cold, blustery, and just a brutal night weather wise, though no precipitation is expected. That won’t be much solace as the temperature at kick-off is expected to be around 25 degrees. Crew SC relishes the early season match-ups if history is anything to go off of, and have truly controlled both matches this season.
I’m expecting much of the same, though it’s hard to keep Wright-Phillips off the scoreboard.
Crew SC 2, NYRB 1
