Crew Coverage pres. by Medical Mutual | Karumanchi: ‘The quality is there’

Emotions were mixed on Wednesday night following the Columbus Crew’s 2-1 loss at D.C. United. While it was another match where the Black & Gold failed to earn points, the evening showcased the club’s ability to get into attacking positions and hurt the opposition. 

However, goals conceded in the first half forced the visitors to play catch-up rather than on the front foot, like Saturday night’s win against the Colorado Rapids. 

“We knew exactly how they were going to try to hurt us,” interim head coach Laurent Courtois said. “In the first half, we were not able to contain that. It was pretty obvious, and we were expecting it. In that aspect, we have no excuse. 

“On the brighter side is the amount of time that we arrived in the last third and we automate sometime a little bit of lack of execution and at times with the really high-quality actions, too. Disappointment in the few moments in the first half where we lacked a little bit of intensity and compactness.”

“Then again, they showed resilience and quality to arrive in your opponent's half and that third with what I would I believe is good quality. We just were not in a position to score at the time, but I really believe that we created a lot. It could have been different in another day.”

There were certainly positives, though. 

A high press from Columbus set up the club’s goal, as Mo Farsi won the ball atop the D.C. 18-yard box in the 49th minute. From there he found Josef Martínez, who set up Santiago Rodríguez to drive the ball into Sean Johnson’s bottom-right corner. 

The goal was the Designated Player’s second in as many games for the Black & Gold, and he’s officially joined elite company. The Uruguayan became the third player to score in each of their first two Crew regular season matches, joining Cucho Hernández (2022) and Gyasi Zardes (2018).

The visitors fought for a second goal but couldn’t produce an equalizer. 

“Yeah, I think you saw we created a ton of chances, broke the team down pretty well from the back moving forward,” rookie midfielder Tarun Karumanchi said. “Maybe it's just that final touch to the back of the net now. Yeah, I think the quality is there. Like, we had maybe 25 times where we entered their box. So, when you enter the box that many times, I think one or two or three have to go in, and you saw it with one of the goals. So that was a good chance and goal. But I think we just got to do more moving forward.” 

With the result, attention turns to Saturday night, when the Black & Gold return to the Ohio capital to host Red Bull New York at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Come see the Crew.

Despite the club’s adversity in recent weeks, Brooks Lennon reiterated the side is more than capable of gaining momentum at the most important time of the regular season. 

“At this point in the season, it's tough because we have had so much change in this season,” Brooks Lennon said. “I came in midway through the season, and I know there was a coaching change and a ton of different player personnel changes. So obviously, that takes time to get on the same page. 

“But to be 100% honest with you, those guys in the locker room all believe in the season and all believe in each other, and we're a very close, tight knit group. Even though we have so many new players, everyone that has come to the team gets along, and so hopefully we continue to translate that to the pitch and to the field, and yeah, just climb up the table and make the playoffs.”