COLUMBUS – The largest transfer fee paid in the history of Columbus Crew SC is already paying dividends. The Black & Gold faithful saw their club’s newest Designated Player up close for the first time on Wednesday at MAPFRE Stadium – and they did not go home disappointed. Midfielder Pedro Santos recorded his first career assist in his MAPFRE Stadium debut in Crew SC’s 2-0 victory over the LA Galaxy.
During the 45th minute Santos cut to his left from the right side of the field and sent a ball into the center of LA’s defense. The precision pass found the Black & Gold’s leading goal-scorer Ola Kamara, who chipped it into the back of the net to put Crew SC ahead for good.
Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter said following the match that it was his plan to utilize the new acquisition. The leader of the Black & Gold even altered his recent strategy and moved a midfielder forward in his lineup to put all the club’s firepower to work.
“We wanted to get Ola, Federico [Higuain], Pedro and Justin [Meram] on the field together,” Berhalter said. “Thinking about some of our attacking players who were available today, getting them all playing together, combining together, I think it went reasonably well.’
Not only did Santos record an assist during the course of the match, but he also drew multiple fouls, one of which resulted in a red card for the Galaxy’s Ashley Cole that left Los Angeles short-handed for the majority of the match.
“He showed some shots from distance, some clever passing, some technical ability in tight spaces and then finally getting fouled in key areas,” Berhalter said. “What I liked the most is the runs he was making behind the line. That’s how they got the red card with him making a great movement behind the line and that’s something we’re going to need from him.”
Crew SC midfielder Wil Trapp had a unique view of the new-look Columbus offense from the defensive midfield on Wednesday night. The captain spoke highly of the new addition after he was thrown into a difficult spot in his road debut last weekend in Orlando.
“It was tough for him last game because we didn’t have much of the ball when he came in but this game you can see his quality on the ball,” Trapp said. “Making passes, making runs, the ball to Ola for the first goal was great. He’s a big addition for us.”
Santos, the club’s third and newest Designated Player formerly of Portugal’s Primeira Liga S.C. Braga signed with Crew SC on August 8 to much fanfare and media attention. With little preparation under his belt with his new team, Santos’ level thus far has impressed members of the Columbus organization.
“Pedro has been here for two weeks and hasn’t trained much,” Berhalter said. “It’s a credit to him and how much he wants to play and be on the field and help the team that he can go and have a performance like that.”
Santos himself believes that he has already found a role within the offense and was happy with the offensive cohesiveness against Los Angeles and the outcome.
“I have a pretty good understanding,” Santos said. “Gregg had spoken with me; my teammates had spoken with me about it so I had a pretty good understanding of where I would be and where they would be coming into the match and it’s great to get the result.”
Kamara agreed with the sentiments of his new teammate and believes that there will be more fireworks to come from the likes of Santos, himself, and another one of Crew SC’s vaunted attackers, Federico “Pipa” Higuain.
“He’s coming with energy. He has technique. I think he fits into the group with his technique and how he plays so we’re excited to have him,” Kamara said. “He was really looking for me today. So, for me it’s perfect that he’s arrived with the club. I think him and Pipa have a nice connection as well so I think you guys can look forward to that.”
Santos himself seemed to light up when asked about playing with the veteran in the future in the Crew SC midfield.
“I feel good,” Santos said. “Pipa is a great player, he looks for space and I combine very well with him when we have a ball and when we have space. He’s good.”
Columbus Crew SC will remain home at MAPFRE Stadium as they will meet FC Dallas on Saturday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET on short rest. The Black & Gold will then have some much-needed down time before meeting Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, September 10 at 1 p.m. ET in Columbus.