Crew Coverage pres. by Medical Mutual | Nancy: Crew ‘have to be a little bit better’ after late NYCFC equalizer

Emotions were mostly subdued for the Columbus Crew at the fulltime whistle on Saturday afternoon. On one hand, the club just earned a point on the road in a difficult environment. But it was how New York City FC scored — in the 94th minute — that left the visiting coaches and players wanting more. 

“It's a tough one because honestly, we had a good game against a team that also likes to have the ball,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said following the 1-1 draw at Yankee Stadium. “We defended well but we also had the opportunity to score the second goal at certain moments. We didn't do it. 

“The end of the game, that's why we are all [frustrated] because the story of the game could have been better for us. But again, if I put this goal that we conceded at the end, it's been a really good game away, to play against a team that are also good with the ball and has good players. The end was the end, but we've got to work to be better on that.”

After a scoreless first half, the visitors found the breakthrough in the 48th minute when Christian Ramirez produced his sixth goal of the season. The Crew played swiftly, as Cucho Hernández received a quick throw-in and played the ball down the right flank. Then, Alexandru Matan whipped a cross into the box, where Ramirez ran in to give Columbus the lead.

“This is my team and they recognized that was the moment to play quicker,” Nancy said. “So, they did it and took advantage of that … Yeah, they were alert about the situation and did it well so good for them. Good for the players.”

Cucho rewrote the Crew history books with the goal, as his assist was the ninth-straight match in which he’s contributed via a goal or assist. As for Ramirez, he’s scored three goals in as many games. 

Columbus conceded a late equalizer, however, when Gabriel Segal leveled the match four minutes into second-half stoppage time. While the Crew still earned a point on the road — and is unbeaten in the last four games — the conclusion left a sour taste upon leaving the Big Apple. 

“The way we built the game was interesting because we had the opportunity to manage the ball well in the second half and we did it, and to recognize when to attack and also to keep the ball,” Nancy said. “We had this opportunity at the end, the goal that we conceded, before the goal, because honestly the ball, the way it bounced back it touched one player, he got back in the box, after that it deflected off [Mohamed Farsi]. But before that, we didn't have the right decision making. We could have played the ball quicker, forward, but we didn't and after that we had this weird goal. But before that, we have to do better in terms of decision making. In terms of decision making, we have to be better.”

Next up is a home date with Nashville SC on Saturday night at Lower.com Field. Only resale seats remain for the sold-out matchup.