Why the Crew's offense is proving to be their best defense ahead of MLS Cup Playoffs
The Crew were by no means perfect against FC Dallas defensively, conceding a goal less than 20 minutes after taking the lead in the first half. But Malte Amundsen believes that the team's progress continued overall, especially in the second half.
“I felt a difference in this game than I’ve felt at other, especially, road games,” Amundsen said. "Toward the end of the game ... I felt like, ‘OK, we can do this.' We feel a positive way of struggling where we can struggle and get away with that.”
Being able to struggle without conceding is a key for the Crew as they prepare for a postseason run.
Another that is being preached by coach Wilfried Nancy is to control the game by keeping possession, holding off on the attack until the right moment and limiting the chances opponents have to score.
“Everybody knows that we don’t have the fastest players in the back,” Nancy said. “But it’s not about being the fastest. It’s about being fast in the brain. For me, this is the most important. It’s why we have to be good to win the ball as soon as possible, to delay the attack.”
Put another way, it’s playing defense by remaining on offense, something Julian Gressel said he's embraced.
“If we are a little bit under pressure and teams are having their moment a little bit, that we absorb it a bit more,” Gressel said. “Yes, we try and be aggressive in certain moments. But at the same time, try to be just tough to break down and not be too, too aggressive in moments.”
The Crew lead MLS in possession, averaging a 56.9% possession rate per game – one of three teams, along with Atlanta United and LA Galaxy, to average more than 55%. The Crew have not had an MLS game since their 2-2 draw against Inter Miami on July 4 where they have trailed in possession.
That has translated into 61 goals in 30 games, giving the Crew the highest scoring average in the league.
In Saturday’s 1-1 draw against FC Dallas, the Crew kept the ball 53% of the time, which turned into a 13-8 shot advantage, including five shots on goal. But the Crew failed to capitalize. They tied thanks to an own goal by Dallas' Nkosi Tafari in the 24th minute.
So there's room to improve. Gressel, for instance, is still learning Nancy’s system with players such as Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi, continuing to “develop and evolve the relationships that have been built” on offense and trying to “be on the same page” ahead of the postseason.
“Luckily we’re already in the playoffs,” Gressel said. “We don’t have to really fight to get in. Obviously, we want to be in the best possible position … but it’s about preparing the best possible way for the playoffs.”
Will Sands returns to Crew warmups after ACL tear
Will Sands warmed up with the Crew Wednesday, which was notable because the defender has been out since suffering an ACL tear against Charlotte on April 22. The club announced April 25 that Sands would miss the entirety of the 2023 season.
Sands only participated in the Crew’s warm-ups before his own personal training session on another practice field.
When asked about Sands’ progress after the Crew’s 3-0 win against Chicago Fire FC, Nancy said the defender was “doing well.”
“He's so strong mentally – he struggled in the past, I know, but now he is so good,” Nancy said. “Every day, he's on the pitch with the staff. The medical staff, they do a really, really good job, also. He's on the right time and right space for the moment. Hopefully, everything is going to be OK for him. I want to be positive if he's good, and he's going to be back in time, hopefully.”
The Crew did not provide an update about Sands' status after Wednesday's training session.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why the Crew offense is proving to be their best defense
