Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy said his team will need to refocus and correct mistakes following Saturday night’s 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls in Red Bull Arena.
After taking the lead in the first half and looking like they’d earn their first road win in 2023, the Black & Gold conceded second half goals that gave the home side its first win this season.
“We did good things in the first half to avoid the transition of New York, and then in the second half, we conceded the first goal and we did what we didn’t do in the first half,” Nancy said. “What that means is we lost a few balls and we gave them the opportunity in transition to score goals.”
Alex Matan scored his first MLS goal in the 33rd minute when he punished the Red Bulls for a defensive mishap. Steven Moreira played a long ball into the final third, where the New York goalkeeper Carlos came off his line too soon and Matan slotted the ball beneath him into an open goal.
The goal was the Columbus’ lone shot on target in the first half, but it was earned after the visitors controlled possession and the pace of play throughout the opening 45 minutes.
New York equalized in the 58th minute, however, when Luquinhas scored his first goal in 20 games. After goalkeeper Eloy Room did well to make an initial save, the rebound fell to the Brazilian to bring the match back on level terms.
Dante Vanzeir’s first MLS goal sealed the Crew’s fate in the 86th minute when he was on the end of a John Tolkin volleyed cross.
“Before we conceded the goal, we did a good game,” Nancy said. “After that we had difficulties under pressure and to come with intensity. This is something we have to be better at. … Red Bull do what they did well for 20 minutes and they score two goals. We did good for 60, 65 minutes but we only scored one goal and this is the difference. We had opportunities to score more but we didn’t do it.”
It should be noted that striker Cucho Hernández was not in the matchday squad inside Red Bull Arena, after the sustained a knee injury during the week.
Columbus now has four points from four matches and enters an enticing stretch of the season. Beginning with this Saturday’s matchup with Atlanta United FC at Lower.com, the Crew will play the next six of eight at home over the next two months.
Having played three-of-the-first-four games on the road, the homestretch will offer an opportunity to refine tactics, grow in confidence and hopefully accumulate points that will be vital at the end of the regular season.
“We’re going to go back to work and prepare for the next game,” Nancy said.
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