Saturday’s game was definitely a game of two halves with regards to the Columbus Crew’s performance. It became apparent from the first minute of the game that too much respect was being paid to Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper with regards to the time and space that they were being given. Within three minutes the Crew found themselves being punished for this when Henry was given time to clip a ball into Cooper who had all the time in the world to chest, turn and fire in the bottom corner from the edge of the 18 yard box. This was a huge tactical breakdown from the Crew as by employing simple basics that players learn at a young age of firstly closing Henry down and not allowing him to play forwards and then getting ‘touch-tight’ to Cooper and not allowing him to turn this goal could have been stopped.
Throughout the entire first half the amount space given to the Red Bulls was a constant problem in the defensive aspect of the game and allowed numerous chances to be created through their patient possessing and willingness to work off the ball and create space in behind the Crew fullbacks. When Columbus were in possession in the first half, the lack of width created meant the possession was too often easily given away either through being easily closed down or by just knocking long balls forward that were easily defended. In the second half Columbus came more and more into the game. This was partly down to New York sitting back and relaxing a little, but also down the change in the strategy of the Crew.
Kirk Urso came more into the game and the introduction of Ethan Finlay was huge. These players took more control of the ball and allowed the Crew to create width and penetrate the NYRB defense either down each wing or with through balls created due to the space in behind that appear due to the full backbeing stretched wide to mark. Overall in the second half the way in which Columbus play was very creative and opportunities were abundant with the Crew having at least four genuine goal scoring opportunities. However, it became evident again that poor marking and the ease at which the visitors could penetrate in behind the Columbus fullbacks was still there with the fourth goal in the final minutes to once again make the game safe after Chad Marshall’s goal.
