Atlanta United Vs Columbus Crew: Five Stripe takeaways
On Tuesday night, Atlanta United overcame the Columbus Crew 3-2 in difficult circumstances in the Round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup. Here are some Five Stripe takeaways.
Atlanta United traveled to Columbus to face the Columbus Crew in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night. The game did not lack excitement, so much so that mother nature decided she needed her moment to shine, providing a severe weather delay during the second half.
Atlanta United ended up securing the 3-2 victory to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition to face the eventual winner between FC Cincinnati and St. Louis FC. Here are a few key notes for Atlanta United from this victory.
Brandon Vazquez emergence
Reserve striker Brandon Vazquez has yet to make an appearance in MLS play this regular season. Nonetheless, he has made the most of his opportunities in two appearances in Open Cup play. Atlanta has played two games in the last five days in the domestic cup competition and Vazquez has bagged four goals in that span.
Last week, he scored two goals in extra time. Against Columbus, he followed that up with another brace on a sloppy field in Ohio. While he will not take the starting spot at the front of the attack from Josef Martinez, he is making a case for a bigger role this season. In these past two games, Vazquez has proven that he is someone Frank de Boer can potentially lean on as an attacking substitution or to give Martinez more rest as we hit the second half of the MLS season.
Here is a look at Vazquez’ awareness to pounce on a bad touch from a Columbus defender in the back and calmly slotting the ball home past the goalkeeper for the opening goal of the night.
https://twitter.com/opencup/status/1141123421474086914
He is a natural goalscorer, very similar to Martinez. And as we all know, you can never have too many goalscorers.
A night for Brad Guzan to forget
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Brad Guzan did not look like his typical self. Partial blame can be associated with the poor weather and wet conditions. The test a goalkeeper faces in conditions like that is much more difficult, certainly, but these are more excuses than reasons for poor performance.
Columbus midfielder David Accam notched the Crew’s first goal in this game. After a long attempt on goal took a bounce off an Atlanta defender to the wide area, Luis Argudo was able to hop onto it and played a dangerous cross into the penalty box. Accam was there to finish it from about 15 yards out. Guzan got a hand on it but was unable to keep it from hitting the back of the net. Based on the attempt made by Accam, it did appear that Guzan could have done a bit better with the attempt on goal.
The second goal for Columbus was also one Guzan will likely want to forget. Columbus left-back Waylon Francis received the ball on the left side of the penalty area, playing a low, driven ball into the six-yard box. Guzan, attempting to get a hand to deflect the cross, actually lets the ball underneath his arm and diverts the ball into his own goal. Guzan was given the own goal on the stat sheet for the night.
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Atlanta fans should not look too much into the performance by their goalkeeper, though. In different weather conditions, Guzan likely would have done much better with one if not both goals. Nevertheless, he is not playing at the same high level as his career would indicate, which is a little troubling if it persists for an extended period. For now, one to keep an eye on.