After a weekend off from League play, Columbus Crew SC returns to the pitch this Saturday, when East-leading New York City FC visits MAPFRE Stadium for the second of three meetings between the clubs this season.
TICKETS: #CLBvNYC
The first match between the Black & Gold and NYCFC on April 16 ended in a 3-2 victory for Crew SC, behind goals from Justin Meram and Ethan Finlay— as well as two assists from Meram. A key to all three points in that win was the stellar play of midfielder Wil Trapp, who disrupted passing lanes and minimized opportunities for the NYCFC midfield to distribute and get forward quickly.
HIGHLIGHTS | #CLBvNYC
Since then, many aspects of NYCFC have improved — including midfielder Frank Lampard netting eight goals in his last nine games, David Villa reaching second in the Golden Boot race with 13 of his own, and Andrea Pirlo offering a continuous passing threat in the center of the park.
“New York City is a different team," Trapp said. "They’re first place in the East—and there is a reason for it — so I think for us, it’s seeing how they set up, being disciplined as best as possible, and competing. Ultimately, it comes down to the intensity in competition.
“I think the biggest thing is being proactive in our reading of the game. Pirlo is a guy who only needs one touch and he can spring a pass, so reading the game as best as possible and trying to close gaps will be really important.”
Three Things to Know: NYCFC
One tactic Patrick Vieria’s club has managed to maintain during the course of the season is their 4-3-3 formation, which has led New York City to a tie for the League lead in both goals scored and goals conceded. Black & Gold striker and leading scorer Ola Kamara did not see time in the last meeting between the Eastern Conference sides, but says that it can be nice to play against this type of formation — and that in order to prepare for Saturday’s match, he has studied other players’ movements and performances this season against NYCFC.
“I have my own style, but for every game, I always watch players’ highlights that score or have scored against them and see what opportunities there are to take,” Kamara said. “I think we have to play our style and play with energy, see what kind of opportunities are coming in the game, which spaces are open, and that’s what we have to attack.”
Although the leaders of the East are not who they were in April, Kamara added that Crew SC is confident, and believes it can move up the standings with three points at home Saturday.
“Last time, they played very different from what they play now," Kamara said. "They were high pressing, the defense was almost always on the midfield, now they press a little more compact, and now I think they are one of the teams that has not let too many goals in. They have developed through the season, but I think our style of play fits playing New York, so I think we can get that win.”
The match will be televised on The CW Columbus, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, and BCSN2. Audio streams will be available on CD102.5 FM and La Mega 103.1 FM—as well as an English radio stream available on ColumbusCrewSC.com. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
