Columbus Crew SC won their second consecutive Carolina Challenge Cup with a 2-0 win over Minnesota United FC on Saturday (photo credit: Devin Lamoreaux)
If one had no idea and had to guess which club had relocation perhaps on the horizon, I presume most would pick the gray club.
Thoughts: Think Berhalter has his starting eleven and they look very solid. Zardes had a great game. Same with Higuain, Martinez, Santos, and etc. Looked on a completely different level compared to Minnesota. In good shape to give Toronto something to think of shortly. #Crew96 pic.twitter.com/L8i5pUbzHL
— CREWTURE.NET (@crewture) February 25, 2018
No Designated Players, along with speculative talent on the field overall for Minnesota United made yesterday’s result not up for much debate.
It was always Columbus in control and winning.
Possession and chances were all Columbus Crew and they converted two chances in the 31st and 36th minute. After that, game was in a cozy and comfortable cruise control for Columbus.
The win made it six out of seven victories for the Crew in preseason. The only Crew preseason loss came against Consadole Sapporo.
But, when you consider Harrison Afful had a great goal incorrectly ruled offsides in that Pacific Rim Cup contest, in actuality should be six wins and a tie this preseason.
Therefore, the Crew on the field has been near perfect this preseason.
To conclude the positive preseason results, the Crew won all three of their games in the Carolina Challenge Cup to win that title for the second year in a row.
It appears Crew headman Gregg Berhalter has a solid eleven sorted out for the opener against Toronto.
I hope Columbus takes all of their preseason confidence into Toronto.
Any chance to quiet Toronto (e.g. Michael Bradley, Kurt Larson) and there “look at me!” majesty is a welcome event.
CREWTURE.NET’s MAN of the MATCH: Gyasi Zardes
Zardes almost received the honor the last game and probably deserved it more so. But, gave the nod to Edward Opoku as his menacing on the right side created an assist and kept alive the second goal opportunity that led to an Afful pass and Zardes goal.
Probably gave the last one to Opoku more out of surprise.
But, with six goals in five games this preseason, the man of preseason for Columbus has been Zardes.
The secondary or follow up story has been that midfield.
As it looks very comfortable, the most comfortable it has recently ever looked behind a striker.
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