Only three weeks after arriving in Columbus, midfielder Cedrick Mabwati made his first appearance for Crew SC in Saturday’s match against Toronto FC.
Even though he only logged a handful of minutes and saw his team give away a 3-0 lead, Mabwati said he was happy to finally have worn the Black & Gold.
“I felt very good. Obviously I wasn’t happy that we tied,” Mabwati said through a translator. “I wish that my first appearance would’ve been a win. I need to keep working hard and getting some minutes in so I can get on the field.”
Mabwati's run onto the field was accompanied by roaring cheers from the sellout crowd of 21,324 at MAPFRE Stadium.
“I’m very happy,” Mabwati said about the reception he received. “When the crowd is behind you, you play a lot better. I’m very happy and thankful that they came out.”
In his first stint for Columbus, the midfielder had a few moments to show off his skills including a cut inside the Toronto defense, right in front of the Nordecke, which cheered on his quick moves.
“I was very happy when they started cheering for me,” Mabwati said. “I’m thankful that they’re behind me and our team. I hope the next game when we’re at home, they come out and still support us.”
Post match, Crew SC Head Coach and Sporting Director Gregg Berhalter explained why he decided to throw Mabwati into the line of fire for the first time.
“You need to test these guys," Berhalter said. "I think this is a good example of putting a guy in a difficult situation, where we’re going to have to be defending, and we could possibly get some counters, and you saw it. He’s got pace, you can see that. I’m happy that he got to play in a game that was that close when we’re taking some fire.”
Even though he's been with the team only a few weeks, Mabwati said he felt ready when he entered the match in the 86
th
minute.
“I didn’t feel the jitters. I’ve been playing professionally from a very young age. I was actually more excited than anything to get out there,” Mabwati said. “When the chance comes for me to play in the next match, I’m going to get out there and give it my all, just like I’ve been doing for all of my life.”
That next opportunity could come within a week, when the Black & Gold visit Orlando City SC on Saturday, August 1.
