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Columbus Crew Vs New York Red Bulls: 3 things we learned – Crew the team to beat

By Cameron Albert

Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Omir Fernandez #21 of New York Red Bulls and Jonathan Mensah #4 of Columbus Crew get into a scuffle during a Group E match as part of the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 16, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Omir Fernandez #21 of New York Red Bulls and Jonathan Mensah #4 of Columbus Crew get into a scuffle during a Group E match as part of the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 16, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

1. Crew the team to beat

While the production on the front end of the field is carrying conversation around the Columbus Crew, the team has been of high quality all over.

Jonathan Mensah was arguably the best player on the field, leading the Crew’s backline to a clean sheet. The Ghanaian’s dominance in the air even produced chances going forward, most notably in the 30th minute. A fantastic running header sent through a running Gyasi Zardes, whose pass to Derrick Etienne should have doubled the Crew’s lead.

Caleb Porter also went with a rotation in midfield, replacing Arthur with Sebastian Berhalter. Berhalter was making his first Crew start with his Dad, USMNT head coach, Gregg, in attendance. The 19-year-old had a good debut, but in a midfield with Darlington Nagbe, there’s oftentimes not much to do.

With just one group stage game remaining, the Columbus Crew are increasingly considered as favorites to win the MLS is Back Tournament. The Red Bulls presented them their biggest challenge and they had no problem there.

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A broken Atlanta United shouldn’t provide anything the Crew haven’t faced in the last two games. The team’s next real challenge will come in the knockout round where they are set to face a Western Conference side. While it’s too early to put a name to their opponent, a first-place finish in Group E would see the Crew take on the second-placed team in Group D. And at this rate, whoever they face, the Crew will be confident in their ability.

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