Saturday was a sign of growth for the Columbus Crew, but head coach Henrik Rydström and his players said it was still a night filled with frustration and disappointment.
Yes, the team earned a point – and also mounted a second-half comeback – but the Black & Gold were unable to capitalize on scoring chances that would’ve sealed three points and a road win.
“I just told the players that we are all very frustrated,” Rydström said following the 2-2 draw. “You can try to divide the feelings and that kind of frustration into different parts. We created enough to score more goals. We missed the penalty at the end of the game. We conceded silly goals – counterattacks again where we really had an opportunity to close them down or to protect our goal, but we didn't do what we were supposed to do.
“That creates a frustration. Like I said to the players, I would have been even more frustrated if it was not up to us and if the opponent like outplayed us or created a bunch of chances or we didn't create. It could have been a worse feeling, if I put it like that. We are disappointed, of course. If we look at the game, we should have won it.”
For a second time in as many matches, the Crew’s attack looked strong. The visitors took the lead in the 33rd minute when they pressed SKC into giving away the ball inside its own box. From there, Wessam Abou Ali scored his second goal of the season.
Abou Ali is now just the fourth player in club history to register seven or more goal contributions (five goals, two assists) through their first seven matches. He joins Andy Williams (10; one goal, nine assists), Federico Higuaín (nine; three goals, six assists) and Brian McBride (eight; six goals, two assists).
Later in the match, Diego Rossi also scored his second goal of the season – an 82nd-minute equalizer slammed toward the back post. Rossi has posted 52 goal contributions in his last 65 matches across all competitions: 39 goals, 13 assists.
But between the two Columbus goals, there were two conceded from “strange situations” that allowed Sporting to stay in a match where the side was second-best.
“In both scenarios, we were trying to overcompensate,” Rydström said. “In those situations, you need to be calm. You need to just be in front of the ball and push the opponent out from the penalty box without conceding anything, but we threw ourselves and we were opened up so We didn't help Patrick (Schulte) in the goal neither. It's just to work on this. Like I started, it's up to us, and that's the good thing.”
Columbus had a chance to seal three points in the 87th minute, but Abou Ali’s penalty attempt was saved by John Pulskamp.
“Everyone knows that I have the confidence that I will score the next one,” Abou Ali said. “That's life, right? I am a striker. I shoot penalties and I shoot free kicks, and sometimes you score, sometimes you miss. (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo and everyone, if they best did it, why can’t we do it, as well? My job is to focus on the next one and just keep scoring.”
With the draw, the Crew can now turn their attention toward Crewsmas next Saturday night at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Secure your seat to watch the Black & Gold face OG rival Chicago Fire FC.
The two road matches – both in the Western Conference – marked the first time in Columbus history that the club began an MLS campaign with back-to-back away games to start a season.
March 7 vs. Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m.
Join us for our MLS Home Opener on Saturday, March 7! The Columbus Crew are facing Chiacgo Fire at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
