Columbus Crew: 3 things we learned from shutout win against Philadelphia

COLUMBUS, OH - MAY 09: Philadelphia Union forward C.J. Sapong (17) heads the ball as Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah (4) defends in the MLS regular season game between the Columbus Crew SC and the Philadelphia Union on May 09, 2018 at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Gyasi Zardes /

2. The ever-reliable Zardes

It has been the perfect start to life in a Crew uniform for Zardes. The offseason acquisition is returning to form and is only one goal away from his highest goal total in a regular season since 2014.

The Crew will need Zardes to continue to come up back in matches such as this one as he has the ability to be a difference maker. His presence as a striker has been invaluable in the early stages of the 2018 campaign.

The goal he scored on Wednesday may not have been pretty but Zardes has been able to take advantages of chances as they come. In fact, this is still an area where Zardes can improve in as the season continues, which would make him an even deadlier player up top.

1. Not phased by a busy schedule

On Saturday, the Crew will have played three matches in the span of eight days. It is one of the toughest stretches of the season in terms of the frequency of matches and it comes to a close against rivals Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

Next: MLS: Top 5 Goals From Matchweek 10

This has been a successful stretch already with four points coming from the first two of the three matches. If they can manage to get a point or even a win at home on Saturday then this will have worked out perfectly for the Crew.

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