Columbus.- Desperation might not be the right term to use, but If the Columbus Crew SC and the New England Revolution are aspiring to jump above the thin red line they have to get points tonight. The Revs just got their third straight defeat to New York City FC on Wednesday and the Crew SC still can’t win on the road, they lost to Sporting Kansas City. Is this the ideal scenario for Kei Kamara to face his former team after the May trade drama? Ola Kamara has the response on his feet.
Columbus is winless on the road, but last week they showed signs of what they are capable of. They made the adjustments to find Ola Kamara on top. The forward goes wide more often than his predecessor, plays like a winger with true number 9 instincts. His seven goals in ten games are the most by any player on the League in that span. To get more goals Columbus has to embrace those quick transitions and become an overall faster team without losing its possession style play. Is that possible? If they could do it for twenty minutes, they can do it for full ninety.
New England has allowed 32 goals, ranking last on the League in that category, and they won’t have Bobby Shuttleworth defending their goal due to a suspension. These are two facts that slightly incline the scale to Columbus. But looking at other stats column, the Revs edging Columbus in Shots (174 over 166) and shots on goal (83 over 73), puts things on an even turf.
Columbus is missing Tyson Wahl who’s facing a one game suspension after receiving a red card in the match with Sporting Kansas City. The two options Gregg Berhalter has to replacement are Chad Barson and Rodrigo Saravia, most likely he will go for the Guatemalan who has a better aerial game than Barson. Facing Kei Kamara will be a challenge for the Black and Gold defense, on the ground and specially on the air.
The Revs attacking midfield will look to generate offensive situations with aggressive combinations between Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe, and when Columbus has the ball the idea is to force Will Trapp to commit turnovers. Don’t be surprise if they go the wings and try to create foul situations where they can get as many free kicks as they want to hurt Crew SC.
There is a rivalry between these two teams and tonight might not be fireworks but expect a fight, a good one
