Columbus got here into Saturday night time taking part in a full-strength Seattle staff that was taking part in in its fourth MLS Cup in 5 years – successful twice. Seattle had been the favorites the entire time, however with Columbus dropping Darlington Nagbe and Pedro Santos the day earlier than the sport, it could take a particular effort for Columbus to win. Ultimately, it obtained that effort and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta is right here together with his ideas.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
December 12, 2020
6:00 PM
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IT HAS BEEN A WILD journey for the Columbus Crew the previous two years. Earlier homeowners wished to maneuver the staff to Austin. An enormous public marketing campaign entitled “Save the Crew” proved to achieve success and introduced in new possession, administration, and the beginning of development of a brand new stadium. Now, within the remaining recreation of 2020 and the twenty fifth season of MLS, the Columbus Crew are the champions of the league.
Similar to the previous two seasons the place nothing has been simple, successful this title was not simple. Going in opposition to the defending champions within the Seattle Sounders, Columbus was the underdogs on this one assuming each groups had been at full power. However then after Darlington Nagbe and Pedro Santos had been pressured out of the sport resulting from COVID-19, the probabilities of Columbus successful this recreation appeared to be slim.
From the opening whistle, Columbus defied odds and had been the higher staff. Lucas Zelarayan was masterful and resulting from an excellent effort from Artur and teenager Aiden Morris behind him within the midfield, Zelarayan didn’t must drift too far deep within the midfield. As a substitute, the big-money Argentine playmaker was in a position to deal with what he does greatest – assault.
Zelarayan scored the opener within the twenty fifth when he took a gorgeous, looping Harrison Afful cross into the field and beat Stefan Frei from shut vary. Then six minutes later, Zelarayan fed Derrick Etienne out extensive who then put Columbus up 2-0.
The primary half was all Columbus however Seattle managed lengthy parts of the second half. Ultimately, it was denied by robust defending, good goalkeeping, and slender misses with its ending. However as Seattle was urgent, Zelarayan scored the staff’s third purpose of the sport when he took a cross from extensive proper from Luis Diaz. Zelarayan had time to shoot, and made no mistake with a robust shot to the higher left nook.
From begin to end ????
This play: The Crew Means ???????? pic.twitter.com/NKwMJSoGuT
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) December 13, 2020
Zelarayan completed with two objectives and an help in a 3-0 win over Seattle. Columbus Crew received its second ever MLS Cup and was the primary authentic staff to win the title for the reason that LA Galaxy received in 2014. Heading into 2021, it has all the weather of a staff that ought to compete effectively into the long run.
Listed below are my ideas on the sport
Zelarayan’s very good effort
Zelarayan’s efficiency on this recreation was among the best performances within the historical past of MLS Cup. Seattle knew that Zelarayan was the one hope that Columbus had on this recreation given its lacking gamers, and it nonetheless couldn’t cease him.
His numbers had been merely excellent
90 minutes
68 touches
3 photographs
2 objectives
4 key passes
1 help
23/29 passing (79%)
4 dribbles (5 makes an attempt)
5x fouled
3 tackles (4 makes an attempt)
13 duels received (10 misplaced)
2 fouls
10 crosses
1 interception
These numbers had been so good as a result of they’re correct in how full the efficiency was. He was in a position to shoot effectively, he handed effectively, he created quite a few probabilities, he crosses, he dribbled, when he dribbled, he was fouled repeatedly, and he was in a position to maintain going regardless of taking a bodily beating from Seattle.
It was nothing wanting dominant and Columbus actually obtained an enormous return on a participant it paid $7 million to Tigres to signal. Zelarayan factored into the entire objectives for Columbus within the publish season and was simply one of many league’s greatest gamers all season lengthy.
Attacking from extensive
Previous to the sport, Caleb Porter stated he wished to play the identical method regardless of the lack of Nagbe and Santos. He didn’t need to change the strategy of how he wished his staff to play the sport. It sounded exhausting to imagine that the staff would be capable to play the identical method, however credit score to him, he and his gamers pulled it off.
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) December 13, 2020
Pedro Santos was the staff’s chief in assists in 2020 and was an enormous a part of how the staff beloved to assault up the wings. Coming into this one, Derrick Etienne Jr. began instead of Santos and it was his first recreation in over a month. Etienne responded with an enormous outing, scoring the staff’s second purpose and being harmful all through.
Whereas Etienne attacked from the left facet, the suitable facet was additionally in fantastic kind as proper again Harrison Afful earned one help on the opening purpose and Luis Diaz earned the help on the ultimate purpose.
What a ball.WHAT A FINISH ???? pic.twitter.com/eMQ6c5v3Dx
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) December 13, 2020
They caught true to their model and their strategy, and it labored regardless of the shorthanded nature.
Aiden Morris stands tall
When Darlington Nagbe was dominated out for this recreation resulting from COVID-19, it was determined that U.S. U-20 defensive midfielder Aiden Morris would begin in his place – and in doing so turned the youngest starter within the historical past of MLS Cup. Morris is a homegrown participant that got here up via the academy ranks however had solely began twice within the common season.
“I believe in young players, if they’re good enough,” Porter said. “Aiden Morris is a winner and a fighter… I thought he was unbelievable today.”
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) December 13, 2020
Porter cited Morris’ potential to win balls and his fearlessness model of play of issues he noticed in coaching. Over 90 minutes, Morris mirrored what his coach noticed in him.
90 minutes
45 touches
1 shot
24/32 passing (75%)
3/5 correct lengthy balls
5 duels received (3 misplaced)
2 fouls
3 tackles
1 interception
1 clearance
1 aerial received
The purpose sequence began with Aidan Morris successful a free ball at midfield after which easily turning out of stress.
What had been you doing whenever you had been 19? pic.twitter.com/mR0JzLhNX2
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) December 13, 2020
Subsequent yr will now see expectations for Morris raised. He’s probably a starter for the U.S. U-20 staff, at any time when that cycle restarts, however he ought to be an enormous a part of Anthony Hudson’s plans for the U-20 World Cup in Could/June.
For the Crew subsequent season, it will likely be vital for Morris to earn common minutes to develop as a participant and develop. It’s not simple to earn minutes as a younger defensive midfielder however Morris ought to have earned numerous belief and respect from his teammates and Porter.
Seattle’s future
Seattle is a staff that has been on an exceptional run and this present core of Lodeiro, Jordan Morris, Raul Ruidiaz, Stefan Frei, and head coach Brian Schmetzer are among the many most profitable core teams within the historical past of MLS. However there are all the time questions as Schmetzer wants a brand new deal, Lodeiro will flip 32 subsequent season and in some unspecified time in the future he received’t be capable to dominate video games as a lot, Frei can be approaching his mid-30s, and there are all the time questions on Morris making a transfer to Europe.
Seattle is all the time going to spend cash and Garth Lagerwey is likely one of the most skilled and greatest common managers within the league – and that’s key. As we see with Atlanta United, simply being keen to spend cash is not going to make sure that success continues. Lagerwey ought to have the staff proceed to be among the many tops in a Western Convention that has many formidable groups.
Seattle is just not going wherever and it could not be shocking to see them again on this stage subsequent yr, though it wouldn’t be shocking to see adjustments earlier than later.
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