Columbus.- In the first Trillium Cup clash of the year Columbus Crew SC visits BMO Field to face Sebastian Giovinco and Toronto FC. The only way Columbus would be able to beat the Reds is if they can outpace them and managing the tempo of the game. Right now the visitors are going through a transition in their offensive approach. Is this team mentally ready to match up with a rival that has an offense running smoother?
If we look at the numbers, Toronto scored only two more goals (14) than Columbus (12) but they conceded three less (12) versus (15) of their rivals. Simple math right? CrewSC started the season slowly, they couldn’t find the back of the net and when they did they didn’t know how to maintain the lead. The Kamara affair ended up last week and they felt his absence when they faced the Rapids at Mapfre stadium, now they must step up, but how?
Mabwati and his goal to tie the game
The answer is Cedrick Mabwati. Not only he scored against Colorado, he commanded the Columbus offense. He is fast, he can go wide and also run diagonals that involved Higuaín and Ola Kamara into the play. We will witness the first full ninety minutes of the Congolese winger. He can and he will hurt Toronto’s weak defense.
In the game they lost to Vancouver, the Reds defense suffered against a similar player(Kekutah Manneh) that plays in the same position as Mabwati. They are both fast, but the CrewSC attacking midfielder is quicker on the 1v1, which makes him more dangerous once he steps into the box. If Columbus can integrate ball movement with his fast pace, they have a serious chance to win this match.
It is unclear if Columbus will get the level of execution needed to get away with three points on the road. They failed to get a victory away from Mapfre Stadium in their past seven attempts. Toronto had a brutal stretch of eight away games but they managed to get victories at tough places like New York, DC and Montreal. Of course,
it helps to have a difference maker like Giovinco in a state of grace. The Italian has been involved in 13 of the 14 Toronto’s goals and is looking for more.
How Columbus is going to stop Giovinco? They must cut the distribution channels. Crew SC can’t allow him to receive the ball anywhere near the box, they have to keep him facing his own goal, don’t let him turn. This strategy means that the pressure has to be high up on the pitch and avoid the long passes from Michael Bradley. It sounds like a simple plan, but again everything is based on execution.
Will Columbus get its first win of the season? If they do, it will be a true new beginning. If they don’t, the chances of not making the playoffs are real.
Columbus Crew
Toronto FC
