Crew versus Red Bulls Preview

Crew Versus Red Bulls Preview
Red Bulls –
Mapfre Stadium
|
Columbus, Ohio
Crew SC
|
Saturday, June 26th
Hello once again folks! After a rather long hiatus, and weeks of travelling, I
have returned home and am ready to root on the Crew and give both sides a
tactical look into the matches. Let’s get to it, with this week’s tactical
preview!
After last week’s meek draw against Montreal, Gregg Berhalter and his players
would do well to establish a greater offensive presence.
Lets look at a quick review of last week’s match:
Starting the game in the all too expected 4-2-3-1, Berhalter’s side came with
a few changes from their preferred lineup. With Federico Higuain, Gaston
Sauro, and Conor Casey out with injuries and Cedrick away on international
duty the bench was once again scarce. To add to the injury issues, Ola Kamara
was deemed not fit to start the game.
Without 3 of the team’s best attackers, this one was certain to look
a bit different.
Started the game with no true strikers, as seen here:
Mo Saied slides into Pipa’s spot and Ethan
Finlay gets the nod up top in Ola’s
absence, with Hector Jimenez starting for
the third game running. A lack of offensive
threat is immediately apparent based on the
selection alone. Finlay, not being a true
number 9, clearly had a lot to do with no
true number 10 in the lineup either. Now,
Saeid has played well in the central
attacking midfield role in the past, but
fills the role as a more traditional
central midfielder, and lacks the depth of
vision, creativity, and Argentinian
bloodlines that are required to play the
position for the Crew.
Okay, a conservative lineup – inherently, not a bad thing.
We get to execution, and Gregg Berhalter’s decision making (or lackthereof),
where the problems have been for several weeks now.
Despite the lack of attack, Berhalter opted to only make two late changes in
the match, bringing on Ola Kamara and Rodrigo Saravia. To end the game, the
Crew netted a mere solo shot on target, while Montreal showed three.
We move on to this week’s matchup against the New York Red
Bulls. Another one at home for the Crew – let’s see if they
can improve.
Offense will clearly be in question for this match for Columbus while New
Jersey comes in with a breadth of fire-power – in case you haven’t seen it,
click below for highlights of their 7 – 0 romp over NYCFC a month ago. The Red
Bulls also hold the third highest goal differential in the league, at 5 up. –
Compare that to the Crew’s -3.
For the Crew, a lineup below is expected, with Ola Kamara fit to return to the
starting XI. On the Red Bulls end, a few changes are expected from the midweek
matchup against Real Salt Lake, and likely to rest a few as they play again
this wednesday in the US Open Cup. Tactically, you can expect the standard
soup of the day from Gregg Berhalter, while Red Bull’s coach Jesse Marsch will
likely put the pressure on Columbus in relentless fashion.
Let’s get ready for the match, and see what these sides can do. All eyes will
be on New York’s offense as it will look to press early on to pin Columbus
from the start. Sacha Klejstan vs Wil Trapp will be the matchup to look out
for – it will be a constant pull between the two. If Klejstan can stay high up
the pitch and keep the pressure on Trapp, I reckon New York will be able to
ease two goals over the Crew tonight.
By Gregg, prove me wrong, this team needs a win, and goals will be required.
That’s all for now, but look forward to a tactical analysis of
today’s matchup early next week!