A new name appeared on Columbus Crew SC’s Starting XI and another was featured on the scoresheet for the first time when the Black & Gold hosted New York City FC on Wednesday night.
While a great deal of hype surrounded NYCFC's European stars, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and Frank Lampard leading up to the match, the Crew SC spotlight was on Harrison Afful and Cedrick Mabwati in the 2-2 draw at MAPFRE Stadium.
Afful, the Ghanaian international who arrived in Columbus just a few weeks ago, made his debut at rightback for the Black & Gold, while substitute Mabwati scored his first goal for Crew SC since joining the club this summer.
"I was very comfortable, but yesterday was my first game," Afful says. "I need to get used to the players, when and where they want the ball, so I’m trying to adapt to the system pretty soon."
Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter recognizes Afful's eagerness to adapt to his coaching style and was pleased with both his and Mabwati's performances.
"We’re in full swing and he’s been off for a while and I think he hung in there. It’s not an easy job but he battled," Berhalter says of Afful. "Overall, I’m happy with him."
Afful’s presence was felt in the offensive third as he tied his teammate Ethan Finlay for the most crosses from open play for Crew SC, with seven. His versatility and speed combined with that of Finlay could become a powerful force on Crew SC's right wing.
“I think you could see there are a couple tendencies we still have to work on together in our relationship," Finlay says, "but he’s an exceptional player and his ability to get up and down the line is going to be deadly over the next nine games.”
Afful himself sees room for improvement after playing his first 60 minutes in Black & Gold, during which he completed almost 83 percent of his passes.
“I’m really good at attacking, but I really need to work more on my defending,” Afful says. “That is the most important thing, because if you are a defender you need to defend before you attack.”
His teammate, Mabwati, says he also has to improve as he works through the process of playing with a new team.
“As each day goes by, I’m super grateful because each of us helps others out,” Mabwati says through a translator. “Especially being new and new to the system, it’s been a learning process.”
But the speedy winger seems to be learning quickly. His equalizing goal in the 72nd minute versus NYCFC was an indicator. After beating several NYC defenders, he executed a quick give-and-go with forward Kei Kamara, and opened his hips to place the ball in the back right corner with ease.
“We were looking to score, we knew that some pressure was on, and I looked to combine with Kei,” Mabwati says. “For me, it was a moment that just came quickly and it’s extremely special for me. The only thing I thought about right after the goal was my family and how appreciative I am to be here and scoring.”
Mabwati came on in the 67th minute and made his first appearance at left mid, a positition he says he is most comfortable as that’s where he’s always played. But Mabwati says he trusts Berhalter and “at the end of the day, wherever the coach wants me to play, I’ll be happy to play and I’ll go there.”
Berhalter was happy with what he saw.
"It was big," Berhalter said of Mabwati's performance. "We have been seeing glimpses of that in training these last couple weeks. We know that he’s pushing. He got the goal on a fantastic effort, but more importantly, I think, when you look at that overtime stretch he was aggressive, going at guys. That’s the ability that he has. It was good to see that."
Crew SC supporters are eager to see more of it, as the Black & Gold head into the final nine matches of the season. The next opportunity to see Mabwati and Afful in action may come on Saturday as the Black & Gold host Sporting Kansas City for the first time this season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Get your tickets here.
