It had been more than three months since the last time Columbus Crew SC shut out an opponent. And when they needed it most, their defense delivered, blanking Toronto FC and MVP frontrunner Sebastian Giovinco by a score of 2-0 in Toronto, clinching a berth to the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs along the way.
“I thought it was a good team performance,” goalkeeper Steve Clark told reporters after the match. “We defended really well in a tough environment. It was just a really good, ugly win, which is nice.”
After a 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls in their last match, Berhalter said he thought it would be a learning experience for a team heading toward the postseason. Saturday’s display, he said, confirmed that theory.
“We were disappointed partly by our performance in New York, but we knew it would be a good learning experience,” he said. “To show that resolve and come back and be mentally strong enough to win this game against an in-form and motivated Toronto team was a good win by the boys.”
What was different for a Crew SC defense that’s been prone to breakdowns lately? Berhalter said it was simple.
“We defended really well, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “There were other games were we defended well also, but this was a very strong defensive performance, especially against Giovinco. We were strong. It was guys denying him the ball, guys being very aggressive when he had the ball and not giving him space. The center backs, the midfielders, the [fullbacks] did a really good job there.”
One of those center backs was Gaston Sauro, playing more than three minutes for only the second time with Crew SC. The Argentine brought some bite to the defense, including a small shoving match with Giovinco late in the match.
Between those altercations and the environment, midfielder Ethan Finlay said if the teams meet in the playoffs, it will be something to watch.
“It was a playoff atmosphere,” he said. “There was a little bit of a rivalry that might have started brewing here tonight. Giovinco and Gaston [Sauro] were kind of going at it, Tony [Tchani] and Michael [Bradley] in the middle. There are some one-on-one matchups out there that you want to keep an eye on if we see Toronto again.”
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The win also brought the Trillium Cup back to Columbus – the perennial winners of the trophy in the past – after the club went winless against Toronto in 2014.
“Last year didn’t go the best against Toronto,” Clark said with a laugh, “so it was a priority to take that back. I hope the fans are happy with that.”
It wasn't all positive, though, as Kei Kamara saw his Audi Golden Boot campaign come to an end – Giovinco holds the tiebreaker with more assists – after a yellow card triggered a one-game suspension, a fate shared by Federico Higuain.
For the moment, the club sits in second in the Eastern Conference, and will await other matches to know where they stand for next Sunday's #DecisionDay.
Andrew King covers Columbus Crew SC for MLSsoccer.com
