By Nino Torres
FC Dallas 3 : 1 Columbus Crew SC
Austin.- Last night, the Columbus SC started 2015 with a 1-3 loss to FC Dallas in the first game of the inaugural ATX Pro Challenge. The match gave Head Coach Gregg Berhalter the opportunity to see almost his entire roster perform in real situations, not just drills. As he anticipated early in the week he used one squad for each half with different formations.
First Half
The 4-4-2 formation with Higuaín and Kamara playing on top showed flashes of the chemistry between the two players that are designated to carry the heavy side of the offensive load for this season. The Argentine was moving free as always and let the new forward step deeper and run diagonals. With six minutes into the game Kamara, almost scored but his shot was blocked by Chris Seitz.
The promising start didn’t get the necessary support as the team allowed three goals in forty-five minutes. Dallas stepped into Steve Clark’s territory with massive numbers. Every time they were going forward they used four or five players, which made very difficult for Columbus to neutralize the rival’s offensive attempts. Parkhurst and Pogatetz are not fully in sync yet, and Chris Klute needs to balance his projections with his defensive duties.
The timing was just not there. It is something that will come with more and more minutes on the pitch. In the third goal, the entire team was caught off guard; even the back four were in Dallas territory. When they lost the ball, they couldn’t get back in position soon (and fast) enough to help Steve Clark.
Second half
Columbus jumped on the field with their usual 4-2-1-2-1, and the possession came back to the team. They also found the back of the net courtesy of Kristinn Steindorsson. The Iceman was assisted by Ethan Finlay and just like that, put the first offensive stat of the year.
Ben Speas was comfortable managing the Crew SC attack with Tony Tchani controlling the space behind him. But if we are looking at performances, the debut of Hernan Grana as a right fullback was the most solid one of all.
The Argentine did not commit turnovers, absorbed the pressure well and showed his skills with the ball without compromising plays. The ex Boca Juniors only played forty-five minutes, but the transition from the Blue and Gold to the Black and Gold appears to be seamless. Berhalter and Columbus appreciate it. The Crew SC will face next the Austin Aztex on Sunday at 1:00 pm E.T.
FC Dallas – Chris Seitz, Aurelio Saco-Vertiz (Otis Earle 56), Walker Zimmerman (Moises Hernandez 45), Matt Hedges (Will Seymore 64), Atiba Harris (Damian Rosales 67), Victor Ulloa (Kyle Bekker 63), Michel (Juan Toja 58), Fabian Castillo (Jaineil Hoilett 60), Mauro Diaz (Danny Garcia 56), Ryan Hollingshead (Aaron Meyer 74), Blas Perez (David Texeira 56).
Substitutes Not Used: Dan Kennedy, Jesse Gonzalez, Zach Loyd, Tesho Akindele.
Total Shots: 10 (David Texeira, Ryan Hollingshead 2); Offsides: 0; Corners 5; Saves: 3 (Chris Seitz 3).
Columbus Crew SC (First Half) – Steve Clark, Chris Klute, Michael Parkhurst, Emanuel Pogatetz, Justin Meram, Federico Higuain, Kevan George, Hector Jimenez, Romain Gall, Chad Barson, Kei Kamara.
Columbus Crew SC (Second Half) – Brad Stuver, Hernan Grana, Tyson Wahl, Kalen Ryden, Waylon Francis, Ethan Finlay, Tony Tchani, Mohammed Saeid, Kristinn Steindorsson, Ben Speas, Aaron Schoenfield.
Total Shots: 12 (Federico Higuain 2); Offsides: 2; Corners: 7; Saves: 4 (Steve Clark 4).
Misconduct Summary:
CLB – Kei Kamara (caution) 28
DAL – Atiba Harris (caution) 43
CLB – Michael Parkhurst (caution) 45
CLB – Tony Tchani (caution) 60
DAL – Juan Toja (caution) 71
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Referee’s Assistants: James Conlee, Oscar Mitchell
Fourth Official: Nima Saghafi
Weather: Clear, 64 degrees
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