The Scenario
Things couldn’t be better for Gregg Berhalter and his Columbus Crew SC. This morning, the Head Coach and Sporting Director got his contract extended until 2017. The team picked up an option on the fourth year of his deal. Anthony Precourt, the Club’s Investor-Operator, summarized the operation perfectly on his Twitter account : “After change, comes consistency and stability.” #CrewSC
On Saturday night they will host the Toronto FC at Mapfre Stadium for the first game of the Trillium Cup. The Canadians swept the series last year and they opened their season in great fashion with a 3-1 win over Vancouver while the Crew SC lost 0-1 at Houston.
On media day, Columbus captain Michael Parkhurst made clear that the team has a chip on its shoulder because of last year’s results against Toronto “ They beat us three times last year and we don’t forget that. We’ve got some payback to do this year and hopefully we can start with the right foot this weekend”
There will be no holding back in this game. These two teams will go at each other with everything they have in their arsenal. Kamara and Giovinco were the players with the most shots in the League last week, both with six. Although they didn’t score, expect them put their names on the board on Saturday night.
The Matchups
Higuaín- Giovinco
The two little maestros are set to be the ones to play the highest football notes on the pitch. In this one, Toronto has the edge because they know how the Argentine plays while Columbus will face the Italian for the first time. It will take the whole season for this League to figure it out how to stop Giovinco.
Altidore-Pogatetz
Jozy is coming of a great opening day with two tallies manhandling defenders. Emanuel will be a tough obstacle to beat, not only because of his size, his experience playing in Europe is an important factor also. His main goal is to make Jozy uncomfortable, because when he gets frustrated he checks himself out of the game.
Trapp-Bradley
The absence of Tony Tchani due to a suspension will increase the defensive duties for Trapp. Most likely Bradley will channel his projections, and long balls, to the left side of Columbus midfield where Tchani’s replacement will play.
Prediction: 3-2, Toronto.
MIchael Parkhurst
Emanmuel Pogatetz
Kei Kamara taking his first shots at Mapfre Stadium.
