RBNY at Crew
The longest of streaks in consecutive playoff appearances in the US is extended by NY, however, they are famous for dropping out in the first round of the 2nd season, will that streak continue here? That all depends on which RBNY team shows up. If NY plays to their ability, they are able to play with anyone in the league, despite not filling all DP spots. They do not so often play to their full potential, if they play a tad over their head, look out. A number of offensive weapons with Morgan, Fosberg, Harper & others, but they all seem to hold the ball too long, taking many touches in the area, not good. Coronel does very well in goal and has for his time with the team. The Crew were saved and they have MLS Cups in the recent past, in fact defending one now, they are still hungry and very good, it should be fun. This is not the same team that met RBNY at RBA of late, they had a good number of subs in starting positions.
The NY press creates a turnover and an immediate foul by Arfsten. Tolkin taking the DFK. To the top of the arc and headed out. Vanzier lays it off to Harper into the 6 and the ready hands of Shulte. Dylan Nealis defends Cucho and they get a corner. Cucho with a pair from beyond the 18. Morgan, a quick pass to Emil blocked, a quick shot by Harper blocked out of touch. Harper with the throw into the 6 headed up, grabbed by the GK. A distant shot by the Crew blocked out of touch. Vanzier wins a ball, beats one, his lead pass has a bit too much mustard on it. Strong pressure by NY in the offensive third then a foul. NY with a number of passes over the top, they must have picked up something in scouting, but no matter what you have detected, if the passes are too long, they are a waste. Edelman suffers a hard foul but is right up. Vanzier with a deep steal to Morgan, his first touch betrays him, NY again Forsberg has his effort blocked. NY are taking the ball away, thing is they are not holding it. Cucho and Sean Nealis are jawing at each other. Harper sends a ball in, deflected over the endline, a corner coming Tolkin to take it. Carballo knocks in a ball knocking around after a corner and it is 1-0 and for his goal he has a bloody lip. Morgan from Forsberg, Nealis with the header back and the first time shot goes far post and in. NY must be happy this goal came from quite the unexpected source, unlike last time, they get the first goal though about 20’ later than the Crew drew first blood last time out. Carballo still dabbing his lip with the collar of his shirt. Vanzier gets the goal kick, a few passes and a throw for NY. Carballo with a great steal, forces a pass to Dante who then loses it. A terrific bending ball in a quick shot cleared into a Crew hand? The following shot was wide. Poor defense and a sliding tackle by the younger Nealis saves the day as a player lost his mark. Morgan with a great look of a turnover by Forsberg he cuts back beats his defender then shoots wide. With less than 5’ in the opening half, both teams get a few good looks but none are capitalized on. Reyes and the arm of Cucho meet and they neck of Reyes loses. Almost done in extra time Forsberg, gets a delay caution, what on earth? A throw by the Crew near midfield and this is not what is expected of a player of his caliber and pedigree.
NY up at the half, whoda thunk it? They need another goal at least as they cannot expect to keep the Crew off the scoreboard. If NY can get their shots on frame, they would have a much better result. Crew will press as it gets further into the game should they not score, the press would then be more risky, but the Crew have not broken it much as yet.
Ramirez loses it, Edelman quick outlet to Morgan and then a pass too long for Forsberg. Harper again his first touch is off. Looking for Morgan in the area it is picked off. Morgan gets it off a turnover to the edge of the box on the endline but it is lost. Ramirez, gets enough on the ball, heads it down, but also at Coronel. Batan cannot reel it in and it is cleared out by Dylan toward half field. Foul whistled on NY just beyond the area. It was a foul, no doubt all but a moving pick. At 55’ Cucho on goal is wide. Each team commits a foul and get no calls, I can hear Sandro over the TV. The Crew are getting a lot more forward and now they have corner. Harper tripped up and a caution given, Arfsten does not dispute it Harper stays down. Great first go on goal by Morgan, the GK did great to keep it out of the net. Jackson and Russel-Rowe in for the home team Matan and Ramierez take a seat. Tolkin gets in front of an attacking player, tripped and draws the foul. Sean Nealis over the ball, down the line and out of touch. At the hour mark, the last quarter hour has been all Crew, down the line to Russell-Rowe but a mishit floats to Coronel. Morgan has a 3 v 1 but delays and his players run offside. NY attacking in waves, but not really challenging. Harper just wide on his effort half a dozen good looks for NY but not on frame as yet. Morgan 1 v 1 goes too wide and nothing what a great chance to finish one in these flurries. Again as mentioned at the beginning far too many touches in the area. How many chances will they get as they squader them? Carmona coming in. Reyes sends one well out of the area. Coronel is down from a save. Coach calls Morgan over for a chat. Chambost and Jones for Crew enter the game out go Karsten and Moreira. Dylan with a great lunging tackle wins the ball. Wicky ion for Dante. Great work by Dante . Russell-Rowe with balls into the 6 in less than a minute each sent out by Dylan. Morgan beat the defender and again at the endline but it runs too deep, play the ball sooner, it deflected out and it is a corner. JMI over the ball, he goes to the far side of the 6, GK boxes it out for a throw. Tolkin into the area for Morgan, offside. The game plan of NY has been played out to perfection, can they see this one out the last 11’? A corner has the locals on their feet. Coronel up for it and up to the task boxing it clear. Even with all that hair, Russell-Rowe misses on a diving header in the 6. Jones off his chest gets the shot off, Coronel swats it away, Nancy smiling as a Red Bull is down, up and the corner in is sent out of touch. The Crew keep sending balls curling in, Herrera for Camacho at 84’. The Columbus faithful are still chanting. Jackson mis hits in the 18. Tolkin blocks a ball in, next one headed out Russesll-Row with a great look in close stopped by Coronel. Dylan cramping up and draws boos as the Crew talk with coach and hydrate. Eile in for Nealis as Stroud is up and Dunkor out for the goal getter and Forsberg. They have made a move to shore up the defense. Morgan in a foot race, gets a throw and comes up cramping. There are 9’ of added time. Those is Red, dread it those in Yellow are hopeful. Elie carded at 94’. Sean Nealis limping a bit, so much energy expended in the pressing style of NY. Manoel in for Morgan, he just made a short sprint rubbing his right quad, he will need therapy. A deflected ball hit the netting, on the outside.
Will the streak of first round exits end? If NY is able to play a bit better next game, get another one or 2 past the net minder, yes. Should Nancy solve the puzzle of their press it could be trouble. Both teams put out a lot of effort, the Crew had the ball at times more than twice the time of the visitors, again a useless stat for me.