The Black and Gold have put last week’s match versus the New York Red Bulls behind them and are driving all of their attention towards a tough road trip to Vancouver and New England.
Coming off a bye week, Columbus Crew SC is eager to bring home points, as it is set to face Whitecaps FC (Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET) and the Revolution (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET) within a span of three days.
“The games we have played are already forgotten about. It’s time to make it right and everyone’s up for it,” Crew SC midfielder Mohammed Saeid said.
The Swede stressed the Black and Gold are not lacking confidence and are ready to take on a Vancouver team that has won three straight.
“We go out there with no fear and play our game. We try to bring the best out of ourselves,” he said.
By “our game,” Saeid means the possession-oriented play that impressed in the opening two matches of the season.
“The possession game is our game,” he said. “We just have to be better with our passing, create even more chances and try to be more clinical.”
Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter said his side is prepared for a very tough game against “probably the best counter attack in the league.” He hinted his team might have to be patient against the Whitecaps, who have allowed only one goal in the last three matches.
“They have momentum right now, there’s no question about it,” Berhalter said. “When you have a winning streak, there’s confidence and belief in the group. That goes a long way.”
But Berhalter made it clear his side is confident in its abilities to crack Vancouver’s defense. “We try to take our game to every team, whether we’re home or away.”
Crew SC will have to accomplish this without Federico Higuain, who is out due to a suspension. But the Black and Gold welcome back fellow midfielder Justin Meram who returned from international duty with Iraq midweek.
Meram said he is eager to return to action for Crew SC and confident his side will manage without its No. 10.
“You can never make up for a Higuain absence, but I think we’re all going to step up our game even more,” he said. “Everybody has to do a little bit more and be a little more special in the final third because we are missing our little magician out there. It’s going to be tough but we have some great guys to fill in.”
Meram said the next two road games in Vancouver and Boston “will be crucial for us.” While his team is looking forward to taking on New England after losing to the Revolution in the playoffs last year, he said the focus is on the Whitecaps.
“We get to Vancouver first,” he said. “Once we hopefully get a result we can switch our focus to playing against [New England].”
