Will Julian Gressel start for Columbus Crew in MLS Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Orlando?
Since the 80th minute of the Crew’s 4-2 loss against Atlanta Nov. 7, Julian Gressel has not been a part of the team’s game plan.
After being replaced by Mo Farsi in the second first-round game due to his performance, Gressel did not start the third first-round game against Atlanta United, watching as the Crew recorded a 4-2 victory to advance in the MLS playoffs.
After the game Sunday, Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said he wanted Farsi’s “energy” and aggressiveness in press and defense from the right side. But ahead of the Crew's Eastern Conference semifinal game against Orlando City SC Nov. 25, Nancy also said Gressel needs to improve in the Crew’s style of play both on and off the ball.
“So Julian knows that he has to get better to recognize when we have to slow down the play and when we have to speed it up, and also in terms of the way we defend,” Nancy said Thursday. “So in terms of all the time, to be front foot when we defend, but also when we’re coming back. So this is adaptation. He’s used to playing a different way, so the idea is to be honest with him and to tell him what he needs to improve on, and to make my choice.”
In 11 games with the Crew, Gressel has one goal and one assist on eight shots, two of which were on target. In his two playoff games, Gressel had one shot on target, which was saved by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Gressel was acquired by the Crew from the Vancouver Whitecaps in July.
Nancy knows Gressel is a competitor, saying the midfielder “was not happy with the decision” to not start in the third game against Atlanta. But the Crew coach said all he could do was be honest and encourage Gressel to grow through this adversity.
“And this is what Julian is trying to do,” Nancy said. “And then after that, we’ll see.”
Crew 'composed' heading into Orlando City SC match
For Patrick Schulte, the Crew does not need to change their mindset ahead of the Orlando match. They can keep the same mentality as they had in their win-or-go-home game Sunday against Atlanta United.
“We knew what the job (was) we had to do,” the goalkeeper said Thursday. “And it was just going out there and doing it.”
The Crew responded with a win in their first elimination game of the MLS playoffs, using goals by Darlington Nagbe, Malte Amundsen, Alex Matan and Diego Rossi in the first 47 minutes to beat Atlanta and advance to the conference semifinals.
Midfielder Yaw Yeboah said the Crew have been good at going “game-by-game” and remaining positive.
“We just have to be composed and believe in ourselves, have confidence and trust each other,” Yeboah said. “Going all out because there’s nothing to lose.”
Cucho Hernandez with Colombia ahead of Crew vs. Orlando
Instead of preparing for Orlando, Cucho Hernandez is heading to Colombia.
The Crew announced Monday its star striker is joining the Colombian National Team during the November FIFA International Window, which runs Nov. 13-21. Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe is also joining the Canada National Team.
“We cannot control that,” Nancy said. “So I’m happy when the player goes with the national team, so I’m happy for Cucho because he deserved it. He was waiting for this one… So now, I told him to enjoy and to go back. He knows what he has to do, so that’s it.”
Hernandez will be with Colombia for two CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying games against Brazil on Nov. 16 and Paraguay Nov. 21.
Hernandez scored 16 goals and 11 assists for the Crew during the regular season, while scoring three goals and an assist in three games during the team's first-round playoff win against Atlanta.
The Crew will take on Orlando at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Will Julian Gressel start for Columbus Crew vs Orlando in MLS playoffs?
