Are you ready for this Columbus?
Columbus.- These are the playoffs, and the Montreal Impact took the first of the two rounds of this fight. Because of the vital goal Federico Higuaín scored at Stade Saputo, Crew SC “only” needs a 1-0 win at Mapfre Stadium (a 2-1 result would require overtime and possible penalty kicks). The “only” issue here is that in their previous three meetings against the Canadians, Columbus earned the total of zero points. Tomorrow’s game is all or nothing for the Black and Gold, and it depends solely on one of the favorites concepts for Head Coach Gregg Berhalter: Execution.
Last week Columbus took the lead but let Montreal tied the game within four minutes. Then the Impact closed the game when Venegas stripped the ball from Michael Parkhurst to score the final 2-1. In the end, Crew SC lost that game because of a set piece and an unforced error. This Sunday night at Mapfre Stadium the hosts must be perfect.
Berhalter talked about minimizing the damage that Drogba could cause to his team. And they did. The striker only had two shots on goal, but the Canadians held Kamara to only one shot, one! (he averages 4.2 shots per game) There’s no question both defenses know how to keep at bay the number nines; the offensive chances will reside on their second and third lines of attack.
Montreal was so focused on Kamara that they let Higuaín float like a free spirit inside the box. The Argentine will not have that kind of privilege for this game. With their two top offensive players under severe vigilance, the opportunity to carry their team to the Eastern Conference finals is on the shoulders of Justin Meram and Ethan Finlay. If these two can maintain a cool state of mind after pounding that blue wall several times till it breaks, the Black and Gold will prevail.
Before they allowed two goals at Montreal, Crew SC registered back to back shutouts. A clean sheet today means everything. Because of the away goals, for every time The Impact scores Columbus will have to double it to keep their chances alive. The hosts registered back to back shutouts before last week’s loss. Who has the most pressure?
Without a doubt, the home team. But is not like they will have to be forced to find a goal, Crew SC is the second highest scorer team in the MLS with 58 (Red Bulls is first with 62), put in the back of the net is not an issue. This match will reflect how mature they are, and how much they learned from last year when the Revs outplayed them outsmarted them. Montreal will test their patience, and the outcome of the match will determine if they have a championship caliber, or not.
The Impact is a Blue Wolfpack on the prowl lead by a ferocious Drogba, a striker that knows how to perform at the highest level at the highest stakes. The question is, Are you ready for this Columbus? Because he is.
