In this MLS Multiplex exclusive series, we analyze the Columbus Crew SC on a weekly basis and assign them a letter grade each week. How did the Crew do in week eight?
Previous Report Cards:
- Week 1 – Chicago Fire
- Week 2 – Houston Dynamo
- Week 3 – DC United
- Week 4 – Portland Timbers
- Week 5 – Orlando City SC
- Week 6 – Chicago Fire
- Week 7 – Toronto FC
Welp, that sucked.
The match was fine, a loss at Red Bull Arena is nothing to get down about. Going scoreless at Red Bull Arena is the norm this season for clubs on the road, but losing Artur in the first minute? Yeah, that sucked.
The Brazilian midfielder broke his wrist just 23 seconds into the match, and will now miss about a month and a half of action as a result.
Losing Artur was bad enough, but a slide tackle gone very wrong forced rookie defender Alex Crognale out of the match in the first half, as well with an undisclosed injury. Adding insult to injury (literally), the tackle also drew a penalty kick leading to the Red Bull’s second point of the match.
With two of their three subs burnt on injuries in the first half, and two key players out of the match with injury, the Crew SC gameplay went out of the window early on, and the rest of the match was just kind of there.
FT - This one is over on the road. Back at home next Saturday.#CrewSC #NYvCLB pic.twitter.com/kBLgjzB3gd
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) April 23, 2017
So, let’s get on with the grades for week eight.