Manager John Hackworth called Columbus one of thebetter MLS teams he has seen so far this year, and thefact that the Crew didn't win the game might say more aboutthe Union than it does about Columbus.
Hackworth felthis club could have won the game with the number of goodchances that they created, but the finishing touch just wasn'tthere, especially in the first half.
Once again it was Jack McInerney supplying the offense with histhird goal of the season, helped by the play of Danny Cruz andConor Casey.
Casey was a handful for Columbus and willonly get better as he gets more familiar with his teammates. I like the fact that he is an unselfish player and should you be open andin a good spot, he's looking for you.
On the plus side, the Union got the road point, and limitedthe Crew to one goal. On the down side, the Union still does not generate enough possession, and have scored just onegoal in every game with the exception of a two-goal gamein Colorado.
Another plus for the team is Antoine Hoppenot off the bench. It's not just his work rate that makes him a factor, although that certainly helps. It's the timingof his runs, and his ability to find open spaces that mustbe of concern to opposing defenses, especially when adefender could be tiring later in the game when Hoppenotis fresh. He has excelled in a sub role.
We also saw Sebastien Le Toux enter as a substitute, which wehad not seen before. Had this been a home game, he mostlikely would have been in the starting 11. For this roadgame, John Hackworth wanted two strikers, and surelywanted the physical Conor Casey in there versus twobig Crew central defenders in Chad Marshall and Glauber.Hackworth also wanted and needed to keep Jack McInerneyin the starting lineup because of the young forward’s recent form.
Saturday’s lineup against Toronto FC should be interesting…
Do the Union go with three attackers, putting Le Toux back inwith McInerney and Casey, or will Hackworth have to decide to sit one out?
How healthy are Michael Farfan andDanny Cruz?
Will we see Kleberson make his MLS debuton Saturday?
This is a much better Toronto team than in previous years.Head Coach Ryan Nelsen has done his part to change the culture of the team, north of the border.
Bringing in better playershas helped, with the best one so far being RobertEarnshaw. The Welsh international already has four goalsin his first five games. Toronto is coming off a 2-2 drawat home against Dallas where they scored two late goals to preserve the point.
For sure it's a game they would have lostone year ago.
Former Union captain Danny Califf is now with Toronto.Califf missed the last game with a stomach virus, but wasa starter in Toronto's first four games.
At one point when a team would play Toronto at home,you might figure on an easy three points. That is clearlynot the case with this year’s club. The Union can't andwon't take Toronto lightly.
See you at PPL Park on Saturday.
