BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – With Columbus Crew SC's playoff hopes officially put to an end after a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire on Thursday night, a calm and reflective Gregg Berhalter knew Columbus' elimination was not about Thursday night’s heartbreaking draw.
“It’s disappointment, great disappointment,” the Crew SC manager said when asked of the mood in the dressing room. “We had high expectations this season and it’s plain and simple, we didn’t meet those expectations and we’re disappointed. I told the guys it wasn’t about tonight’s game. If we would have had that type of intensity, that type of effort all season we would be having a different conversation.”
Knowing only victory would prolong Crew SC's slim hopes -- with two difficult road games remaining in New York -- the visitors got off to an ideal start when Adam Jahn capitalized on hesitant defending to slot Columbus in front in the 13th minute off Justin Meram’s astute pass.
However, an unfortunate own goal from Michael Parkhurst and a close-range finish from Michael de Leeuw put the hosts in front early in the second half. A rousing finish following Jahn’s second goal 10 minutes from time failed to bring last year’s MLS Cup finalists the game-winner they so badly craved.
The Crew’s gameplan was going well until the halftime introduction of Fire striker David Arshakyan, whose 6-foot-4 frame gave the visiting defense a torrid time. Within eight minutes, his presence forced an uncharacteristic error from Parkhurst, who lobbed goalkeeper Steve Clark with an attempted clearance. Arshakyan's running also opened channels for midfielders Arturo Alvarez and Razvan Cocis.
“I think the first half was according to game plan, we wanted to be compact, we wanted to create some transition moments and we got a goal that way,” said Berhalter, who has yet to lose to the Fire in nine games (five wins, four draws). “I think the second half, give the coach [Veljko Paunovic] a lot of credit, he brought in a substitute that made a big difference. The big guy up top was able to hold the ball up and was a big part of the first goal and he gave us trouble.”
On a night of disappointment, Jahn's brace offered a significant amount of promise with his fourth goal in three regular-season starts. Jahn stepped in for top scorer Ola Kamara, who Berhalter admitted “wasn’t available for selection” because of an injury.
“Adam, since we traded for him, has came and made a big difference, a big impact,” Berhalter insisted. “I’m really happy for Adam. Sometimes players need new situations and he’s come in here and he’s embraced the way we play, he’s given a great effort in training and it’s nice to see a player rewarded like that."
Said Jahn: “It was a great ball by Justin on the first one, and I’m not entirely sure who crossed the ball into the box on the second one, but my job is to just get in the box and shoot. So much goes into a goal and I’m the one tasked with finishing it, so hats off to the whole team.”
