Columbus Crew SC remain first in the Eastern Conference after knocking off an unbeaten club for the second week straight. What can we take away from the matchup at Mapfre?
Just one week after ending the perfect season of the Portland Timbers, Columbus Crew SC would knock off the last undefeated club in MLS with a 2-0 shutout against Orlando City SC. After an impressive road win and two big wins at home, the same club that ended 2016 near the bottom of the Eastern Conference sits at the very top of that same table for their second week straight.
Three straight for #CrewSC. This is getting fun again! https://t.co/OFSPVzWdsK
— Massive Report (@MassiveReport) April 1, 2017
Here are three takeaways from the shutout at Mapfre:
What defensive struggles?
The attack was never the problem in 2016, it was the defending that lead to the disappointing year for Crew SC. When the 2017 season opened with Columbus giving up a late goal for a 1-1 draw, followed by a 3-1 stomping in Houston, fans were left fearing we were in for another long year.
That fear was before Columbus head coach Gregg Berhalter shifted his lineup, and began a three match winning-streak, bookended by two 2-0 shutouts. If you aren’t a Columbus Crew SC fan, you won’t understand how huge those shutouts are to a city that watched lead after lead get blown in 2016.
If you want to rebuild your fan’s confidence in your club’s defense, two shutouts in three matches is a mighty fine start.
As impressive as the Columbus defense has been, with standout performances from new Crew SC players such as Jonathan Mensah, and rookie Alex Crognale, credit has to be given to the man in the goal. Zack Steffen has made 10 saves in this three match winning-streak, including his four in the shutout Saturday.
Somebody throw Zack Steffen a parade, I don’t care if it’s only Week five.
Justin Meram is the man.
Justin Meram is a fan favorite in Columbus for various reasons. Firstly, the Iraqi native is currently the longest tenured player for the Crew SC, this being his seventh season with the club. Secondly, the man produces.
The Black & Gold workhorse has now scored three goals in five matches, including both of the goals scored in Saturday’s shutout.
After two weeks of the Acura Man of the Match going to the rookies in Columbus, there isn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind who deserved the honor in week five:
After his brace last night & earning 80% of the vote, @JustinMeram is your #CrewSC @Acura Man of the Match for #CLBvORL! Congrats, Justin! pic.twitter.com/9NrIK8Ho0G
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) April 2, 2017
(returning) Glory to Columbus!
Fun fact:
2016 Columbus Crew SC had 8 wins in 34 matches.
2017 Columbus Crew SC has 3 wins in 5 matches.
That’s right. Leaving week five, Crew SC is only five wins away from matching the total amount of wins in the entire season last year. With the longest winning-streak in the league, the Black & Gold are making a statement in the early season: Columbus Crew SC is back.
Next week, Columbus head to Bridgeview, Illinois to take on the Chicago Fire in a rematch from the 1-1 draw in the season opener. Will the changes made in Berhalter’s club and momentum that’s building in Columbus lead to a different result in Week 6? However, holding on to the first place slot in the Eastern Conference by knocking off their rivals would be a very 2017-Crew kind of thing to do.
Sorry. My fan-boy is showing.
Next: Chicago Fire: 3 Key Takeaways from the Montreal match
What did you think of the showdown at Mapfre? Keep the conversation going in the comment section at the bottom of the page, and stay tuned to MLS Multiplex for all of your Major League Soccer news.