With Jairo Arrieta away on international duty with Costa Rica, Dominic Oduro has been given the opportunity to play a more central role in the attack for Columbus. This is not unfamiliar. In games that Columbus has been chasing, Oduro got pushed through the center, but tonight he got to play a full 90 minutes and he delivered a performance that should worry Arrieta.
Throughout his career in MLS, Oduro has maintained a keen eye for goal with a record of a goal every four games. This season though he’s coming alive around the penalty area, achieving a goal every over game, the target ratio for a quality striker. This is particularly impressive considering he has been playing in a wide midfield role for the majority of the season.
Tonight he was a constant threat with his willingness to use his pace and run by the opposition’s defenders and his ability to hold up the ball up, something that the Crew has been missing this season. He capped off his fine display tonight with a coolly taken goal after pressuring Warner into giving up possession. He raced clear and calmly side footed the ball past the onrushing Perkins. Oduro did fade as the game went on, but this was to be expected playing his second full 90 minutes in three days.
