Sunday is the day before Independence Day. And there is the potential for some fireworks on the pitch during a Columbus Crew SC–Sporting KC (7 PM ET, Fox Sports 1) clash that caps a busy day of soccer.
First up is the second installment this year of the Hudson River Derby between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls. NYCFC will certainly be looking for revenge after the 7-0 shellacking they suffered last time out.
An hour later, a battle between fancied favorite and upstart underdog takes place at Euro 2016. Host nation France will look to put an end to Iceland‘s Cinderella run. The game will be played at Stade de France, where the French defeated Brazil 3-0 18 years earlier to win their only FIFA World Cup.
Afterwards, the scene shifts to Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. It’s there that two MLS clubs who’ve underachieved so far in 2016 will look to reestablish some positive momentum on the season. Both will have to put disappointing midweek U.S. Open Cup defeats behind them if they wish to do so.
For Crew SC, they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of home-standing rival Chicago Fire on Tuesday. A David Accam first half brace proved too difficult a deficit to overcome. This despite an Ethan Finlay penalty kick that halved the lead in the second half.
In Sporting KC’s case, the club fell 3-1 to the Houston Dynamo in a game where they similarly got a goal back after initially trailing by a pair. But they also fell victim to a two-goal performance, this one via Mauro Manotas who opened and closed the scoring on the day. The loss put an early end to SKC’s Open Cup title defense.
These twin setbacks in that tournament underscore how difficult the season as a whole has been for these two sides. Both are below the red line in their respective conferences. Both have been able to obtain just eight points from their last eight matches. And both are looking for sparks that will reignite their 2016 campaign, putting them back on the path towards postseason contention.
Oh, that metaphor is so fitting given the time of year, right?
Columbus Crew SC-Sporting KC: What To Expect
What are some of the key things question marks heading into this final match before the summer transfer window opens? Can an undermanned Black and Gold squad hold the fort down on the pitch until reinforcements arrive?
Here are a few things to keep an eye on.
Which Dom Dwyer Will Show Up For SKC?
If you took an initial glance at the leaders among MLS teams in goals scored this year, it wouldn’t take long to see Dom Dwyer‘s name near the top. His eight goals is bested by just four players in the league. And his brace last week against Montreal enabled SKC to salvage a point on the road.
But his ability to find the net has been sporadic at best this season. In SKC’s previous 15 games, Dwyer scored just four times. His 60 total shots means he’s converted only 13.1 percent of them into goals. That’s fifth worst among the 28 players who have five or more goals up to this point.
In many ways, it reflects his team’s season as a whole. Sporting are currently second in MLS with 251 shots. Yet their shot conversion rate of 7.17 percent is second worst in the league. Imagine where this club would be if they were finishing more of their chances.
If good Dwyer shows up on Sunday, watch out. He demonstrated what he’s capable of last week against the Impact. His skill set as a center forward is unique in that he’s a dangerous aerial threat despite being 5’9″ as you can see below.
.@ddwyer14 loves scoring against @ImpactMontreal. #MTLvSKC https://t.co/qvsDmPhKT1
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 26, 2016
He also can burn opposing teams from outside the box as well. Both examples of his finishing ability were on display in Montreal.
Among other things, Crew SC will need to render Dwyer ineffective if they want to see any semblance of a result on Sunday.
Who Provides the Creative Firepower in Central Midfield If Mohammed Saeid Can’t Go?
Since his arrival in Columbus, Mohammed Saeid has been among the most versatile players on the field for the Black and Gold. When Wil Trapp suffered a concussion in practice early last year, it was Saeid who assumed his number six role rather competently. This year, he’s been utilized as a box-to-box midfielder at times as Tony Tchani dealt with a calf injury.
But with Federico Higuaín out for five to seven weeks after having undergone sports hernia surgery, Saeid has been forced into a playmaking capacity for Crew SC. Ideally, it’s his natural position having played it for the majority of his career. But the injury bug that has ravaged the club’s roster this season has also extended to him.
Saeid suffered a broken vertebrae in his back in a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Union on June 1st. A month later and he still appears to be hampered by it. Head coach Gregg Berhalter addressed the issue to reporters after training on Friday.
Berhalter said today that @Msaeid8 is still dealing with a lot of pain in his back. Said doctors were surprised he could even play.
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) July 1, 2016
If Saeid can’t go, it leaves the club extremely thin at central attacking midfielder. This has become even more of an issue given news that broke Saturday regarding Emil Larsen as reported by the Columbus Dispatch‘s Shawn Mitchell.
#CrewSC MF Emil Larsen has returned to Denmark. Still under contract, but Crew exploring its options, SD Gregg Berhalter said.
— Shawn Mitchell (@shecky218) July 2, 2016
Though it’s unlikely he’s an option as a starter, might we see new signing Dilly Duka on the field in his second stint with the club? He may be forced to contribute in some capacity given the club’s situation.
Can Crew SC Capitalize On SKC’s Set Piece Vulnerability?
What is it with Sporting KC being second best in one category and second worst in another. The club has conceded just nine run of play goals which, you guessed it, is second in the league. Consequently, they’ve allowed nine off set pieces. That number is tied for second from bottom among MLS clubs.
Unfortunately, Columbus’ injury situation has them ill equipped to take advantage. Higuaín is arguably the club’s best set piece threat, both in front of the box and on corners. Justin Meram and his patented meat hook shots could be a possibility on free kicks. It’s certainly been a while since we’ve seen him connect on one of those.
Harrison Afful’s Wing Play Will Need to Improve
Part of Crew SC’s overall tactical identity under Berhalter is having the fullbacks push forward into the final third and contribute to the attack. It’s a reason Harrison Afful was brought into the side last summer. His ability to overlap while remaining sound in defense was a crucial cog in Crew SC’s run to MLS Cup last year.
But in 2016, his contribution has been erratic at times. It showed last week against the New York Red Bulls. Too often was he compelled to take overly speculative shots in disadvantageous areas. The fact that his four shots was second on the team behind Ola Kamara was testament to this.
Overall, Afful has taken 21 shots this season. That’s fourth highest on the team and one more than Finlay. Though Afful has always been an attacking threat (he scored 17 goals for his previous club Esperance), Berhalter’s system requires him to be more of a provider when overlapping above all else.
Waylon Francis has done this to spectacular effect on the left flank. He led MLS defenders in assists the previous two seasons and has 15 total since he joined Crew SC. And Francis’ 0.25 assists per 90 minutes is a step above Afful, who’s managing just 0.14.
Quality service in the attack has been one of Columbus’ problems this season. It’s a reason the club is in the top half of the league in chances created yet in the bottom quarter in converting said chances. If Crew SC wants to get themselves above the red line going forward, this will have to get better.
Photo courtesy of Columbus Crew SC Communications.
