MINNEAPOLIS – Columbus Crew SC defender Lalas Abubakar had never seen action for the Black & Gold before Tuesday. On the Fourth of July against Minnesota United FC, not only did Abubakar see his first Major League Soccer action, but the Ghanaian rookie started, played all 90 minutes and was an integral part in a 1-0 shutout victory in Minneapolis.
The 22-year-old from Kumasi, Ghana, packed the defensive stat sheet as well against the Loons. Abubakar tallied six interceptions, headed three clearances, won four balls aerially and won two tackles in the clean sheet win.
“I’m really happy,” Abubakar said. “I feel like all the patience that I’ve had, it has paid off today by helping the team to get a win and a shutout. So, I’m really glad that I got the opportunity to play and give everything out for the team.”
The journey to seeing action for Crew SC was a long and arduous one for Abubakar.
“It’s really tough,” Abubakar said. “It’s really hard, all these troubles, not playing. But, I think part of it is the coaches. They kept telling me to be patient and that my time is going to come. So, I think that’s what I’ve used to help me keep going. And I take it as payoff today. [Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter] finally gave me the opportunity to show it and I was able to do it, so, I’m really happy.”
The defender detailed an encounter he had with Berhalter on the eve of his first start with Columbus.
“All the coaches have done a great job, especially Gregg,” Abubakar said. “Yesterday, I remember after dinner he caught me 1-on-1. He didn’t say anything other than encouraging words. Which, after that, I thanked him and told him 'Coach, the confidence you give me right now, tomorrow I’m going to give everything for the club.'”
The game-winning goal in the match was scored by Crew SC forward Kekuta Manneh. In the 58th minute Crew SC captain and midfielder Wil Trapp found Manneh in open space on United’s half before the newest Black & Gold acquisition dribbled right and fired toward the left post, scoring his second goal in three games.
Following the match, Manneh detailed what allowed the attack to break through and score the game-winning goal.
“It was in the game plan,” Manneh said. “We saw it in videos and we knew that their two center midfielders had space in between them. We use that space, we utilize it. Fortunately, I was able to turn him and score that goal.”
The goal was the 24th of Manneh’s MLS career and just his second as a member of Crew SC. Manneh made a start in the match as well, his first since May 26 against Toronto FC and fourth as a member of the Black & Gold.
Along with the goal, Manneh recorded 14 successful passes on United’s half and won a corner and a take on.
Manneh recently finished the process of becoming a United States citizen. Scoring on the Fourth of July in his new country meant a lot to the Gambia-born Crew SC star, along with a special connection that Manneh has to the U.S. military.
“It means a lot,” Manneh said. “I just became a citizen and scoring on the Independence Day of the country, it means a lot. Especially with my brother in the military going to serve, it would mean a lot to him. He’s watching the game right now and I’m just very proud of this moment.”
Crew SC will have the next 12 days off from play due to Major League Soccer’s international break.
Crew SC will have the next 12 days off from play due to Major League Soccer’s 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup break. The Black & Gold will return to action when they play a friendly against German Bundesliga-side and DFB Pokal-finalist Eintracht Frankfurt on Monday, July 17 at MAPFRE Stadium in what will be a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Columbus returns to MLS action on Saturday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET at home against the Philadelphia Union.
