The Bronx, NY (July 14, 2018) — Columbus Crew SC’s ability to get results on the road is becoming a real issue.
A late second-half goal from Jesus Medina was all New York City FC needed in condemning the Black and Gold to its third-straight road loss. The 1-0 result also means that Crew SC has now obtained a mere six points from its previous eight matches.
Columbus Crew SC Drops Third Straight Road Game in 2-0 Loss to NYCFC
Manager Gregg Berhalter made five changes to the starting XI from last week’s 4-0 road defeat to the LA Galaxy. Of particular note was the return of Federico Higuain who didn’t start the previous two matches. Jonathan Mensah replaced Lalas Abubakar whose defensive shakiness contributed in part to the rout in L.A.
Things started with promise for the visitors. They consistently looked for opportunities to hit NYC in transition and did so with regularity over the course of the game. But the overarching issue in The Bronx concerned the club’s finishing. That was abundantly evident at halftime with the game remaining scoreless despite Columbus owning a 10-5 edge in total shots.
Crew SC looked much improved defensively over the first 45 minutes. However, there were impending signs of unraveling in the second stanza. In the 52nd minute, Josh Williams lost the ball cheaply to Maxi Moralez who would’ve opened up the scoring if not for a sprawling save by Zack Steffen.
WE ARE NOT WORTHY, @zackstef_23! 🙇🙇♀️#NYCvCLB | #CrewSC pic.twitter.com/2qklP8DYiy
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) July 15, 2018
But as impressive as Steffen was at denying Moralez, he was equally culpable in enabling NYC to take the lead. In the 80th minute, his attempted pass out of the back came right to the feet of Jonathan Lewis who blasted it at goal only for it to hit the left post. The ball rebounded right back to him and after dribbling towards that same post, he centered it to a wide-open Jesus Medina who made no mistake with the finish.
No is not an option… #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/2jCagFBtS4
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) July 15, 2018
Medina’s tally forced Columbus to push forward in the hopes of getting some semblance of a result out of that match. That made them vulnerable to NYCFC counterattacks. And in the final minute of regulation, they paid the price. In one of the great individual efforts you’ll see, Anton Tinnerholm wrested the ball from Artur, dribbled towards goal, completely faked Wil Trapp out of his shoes, and threaded the ball past Steffen near post.
🎶 TAKE ME HOOOME, TINNERHOOOLM 🎶 #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/oUDPruygYx
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) July 15, 2018
The manner in which this game fell apart for Crew SC meant frustration was certainly hovering under the surface. It boiled over in second-half stoppage time when 70th-minute sub Eduardo Sosa recklessly plowed into Moralez. Referee Armando Villarreal had no choice but to brandish a red card. It was a fitting end for a team that completely melted down over the final 15 minutes.
The Black and Gold return to Columbus for their next match as they welcome Orlando City SC to MAPFRE Stadium. It’s Crew SC’s lone home match during the month of July. Proceedings get underway at 7:30 p.m. ET.
