When the full-time whistle sounded on Saturday night, the overall mood inside ScottsMiracle-Gro Field was frustration.
The Columbus Crew, who generated multiple scoring opportunities, had just conceded in the 89th minute to lose, 1-0, to Red Bull New York.
Unfortunately for the Black & Gold, this has been a recent theme – conceding late or falling just short of securing a positive result. Not only that, but the team’s had to battle a congested schedule with new players rotating into the squad.
“If we find the resources to reset and capitalize and build on what were able to do, we feel that we're so close to be the first one to score, and that would be today the way we are able to have control of the ball that would dictate the whole rhythm of the game a little bit differently,” interim head coach Laurent Courtois said. “We're going to stick to work on the stuff that we believe is going to put us in a good position and then we'll see how they react. Physically, for sure it's going to be a component, but it's not an excuse.
“We have one game away to play a final in our stadium so everybody's going to forget about that and do it. Tonight is just painful to lose that way, but tomorrow they’ll be brand new.”
And that’s the best thing Black & Gold supporters can do now: Look ahead to Wednesday.
Then, the Crew will host Eastern Conference foe Orlando City SC in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Be a part of history.
The match, which starts at 7 p.m., is Columbus’ first appearance in the semifinals since 2010.
“How can we respond? I think that's been our motto a lot, ‘How can we respond?’ And I know it's been tough, but I know this is a resilient group,” said captain Sean Zawadzki. “No matter what, this team's gonna be ready to play on Wednesday, and we know being at home hopefully gives us the advantage. Want fans to be out there again.
“I know it's hard. It's a Wednesday night during the week, work, school, all those things. But we really need you guys. You guys give us the energy, and I know tonight didn't go the way we wanted to, but we heard you guys. We need you guys. You guys give us the energy to keep going. Guys diving on the floor, guys making tackles, 90th minute plus, whatever it may be. We're gonna be ready for Wednesday, and we need you guys to be there for us.”
It's worth noting the last time these clubs met in a must-win match, the Crew won, 2-0 after extra time in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Christian Ramirez scored in the 93rd minute before Cucho Hernández doubled the lead in the 118th. Of course, the Crew went on to win MLS Cup.
What can the club do Wednesday night?
“Being at home hopefully gives us the advantage to okay, go in the facility, take care of your body, whatever you need to do, get a couple training sessions in, and then be ready to go,” Zawadzki said. “Come out flying on Wednesday.”
