2017 Columbus Crew SC Report Card: Week 12
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 Twelve?
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
- Week 8 – New York Red Bulls
- Week 9 – New York City FC
- Week 10 – New England Revolution
- Week 11 – Toronto FC & Montreal Impact
Crew SC travelled to New England for their second clash this season against the Revs. Columbus would get on the board first with a beautiful long distance goal from Ola Kamara, however despite a few solid chances, that would be the only time Crew SC found the back of the net in the match.
New England, on the other hand, looked to avenge their Week 10 loss against Columbus and managed to do just that with back-to-back goals just 10 minutes apart from Diego Fagundez.
The loss saw Columbus topple down the Eastern Conference standings, landing in 5th place, but where did it land Columbus in this weeks Report Card?
Team Grade:
Before we issue the match grade, let’s chat about what led us to our final conclusion.
The Artur Effect:
Artur has proven to be a key piece of Crew SC, and his absence Sunday was definitely felt. Mohammed Abu has just been an absolute non-factor in every match he’s filled in for, and the much touted depth for the Black & Gold has begun to show some cracks as the season progresses.
Straight down the middle:
When I sat down to write the individual grades for each player as I usually do, I found there weren’t really any “key players” for the week. Yeah, Ola Kamara had a beauty of a goal, but he was never really a threat after that point in the match.
Francis blew what could have been a golden chance, but defenders tend to do that when called on to take shots. Mensah had a hilarious fail when he attempted an overhead shot attempt and came nowhere near the ball. Even Justin Meram, who is having the best season of his career, was a virtual non-factor.
So, when it came time to do individual grades I was analyzing each player and trowing C‘s all around. So for this week, why don’t you pick your favorite 3 Crew SC players, and I’ll give them a C.
Match Grade: C
You get a C! You get a C! Everybody get’s a C! Nobody seemed to have great game, nor a terrible game, and it cost Crew SC the match in the end. The club they handled pretty soundly 2 weeks ago came back to avenge their loss this week, and losses like this have begun to see Columbus fall in the Eastern Conference standings.