Key takeaways from the Crew loss to Inter Miami | OneFootball

Oh what a night. A historic event, a record-breaking crowd in attendance to witness the last two unbeaten teams in the MLS go to battle. Oh yea, apparently a guy named Lionel Messi who is also a pretty big deal was on the pitch. It was as dramatic of a 1-0 game you could see in the MLS this season. A juggernaut of talent trying to stave off perhaps the most cohesive team in the entire league. While the setting and feel surrounding the game were different, one thing that couldn't be denied is the amount of energy in that building on Saturday. Below are a few of my key takeaways from the game that felt anything like "just another game".

I'm going to start with the low hanging fruit, mostly because I need to get it off my chest. It's been a rare occurrence in my life where I'm left completely exasperated wondering how it's possible for a team to miss so many chances when they're in behind the opposing team's backline. Yet, I found myself, hands on my head a handful of times just wondering, "How?". How does newly acquired, record holding goal scorer Daniel Gazdag miss a chip-in? How does Max Arfsten miss an opportunity with nobody in front of him 10 yards away from goal? How does Jacen Russell-Rowe, who has been touted as the Crew's best finisher by coach Nancy, miss the entire frame by a country mile when shooting from the top of the box? That was all just in the first half. That's not even counting the Rossi open chance from 8 yds out, Gazdag missing a tap in during the closing minutes. In summary, Diego Rossi, Max Arfsten, Jacen Russell-Rowe, Daniel Gazdag (twice) all had grade A chances to get a goal for the Crew and all resulted the same, with nothing to show. Problem here is there's not one specfiic person to blame. Could this be a one-off kind of night? One where your expected goals scored is north of three, only to finish zero of those expected goals. Or is this just another example of a team epidemic? There is no question the Crew can create scoring chances at least as good, if not better than about every single team in the league, and Saturday was another example as we saw chance after chance come and go with no result. Only question is where are the goals going to come from? We are still three months away from really being able to add a DP level striker in the summer transfer window. That's a lot of games where this team is going to have to figure out how to finish these great chances. Now, this is the team's first loss and there is no shame in losing to one of the other best teams in the league. This just stings more because it leaves a feeling of who can we rely on to score when the lights are bright?

Crew looked the better team

Now that the issue with finishing is off my chest I can shift into the positives. Inter Miami had the best, if not the three-four best, players on the field. However, it was Columbus that had the run of the game for the most part. Outside of a few moments where Miami was on the front foot, it was the Crew who looked the better overall team. A listing of key stats below to highlight this point:

Crew Possession - 58%

Total shots (on goal) - 12 (3) to Miami's 6 (3)

Pass Accuracy - 92.3% to Miami's 86.3%

Expected Goals - 3.1 to Miami's 0.5

To be the team posting this level of stats only to lose 1-0 is an excruciating experience both for fans and players. What I'm taking from it though is that Columbus deserved the win, they were the better team and the numbers back that up. In the end does it matter much if you still lose? No, but what it does signal to me is the Crew just went toe-to-toe with the MLS cup favorite and took them to task. This system works, we all know that, this is just the latest reminder.

Nagbe and Zawadzki

This was a homecoming for Darlington Nagbe and Sean Zawadzki and they both played the part. Both of them played with an extra energy above what we usually see. It's the feel good story about them having the opportunity to play where they grew up and they both were very open about the experience being everything they'd hoped for and even more. You won't find two easier guys to root for, Nagbe for being the consummate professional and one of the best players I've watched and Zawadzki being the homegrown product who has worked his way up the ranks quickly to become a staple in the starting lineup, often anchoring the back line. It was great to see them both play spirited and there's no doubt played intrical parts in the Crew having a chance to win the game. Zawadzki given the task of trying to minimize the damage Messi can do, to which he did very well. Nagbe looked like he turned the clock back 10 years as he looked much more willing to take defenders one-on-one using his array of deft shoulder fakes and elite ball control. They will be disappointed with the result, but they both deserve to hold their heads high as their performance represented their hometown very well.

To wrap up my takeaways from Saturday I want to comment on my feel for the game in Cleveland. There was obviously a lot of controversy, cynicism and angst surrounding this game from the moment it was announced. Even at the game chants of "It's a money grab" rang out in concession areas. Thing is, I get it. I understand that's how people feel about it, they feel a home game was ripped from the fans and their feelings are valid, everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinions. My opinion from being at the game? It was an absolutely great experience. There was a buzz around this game, strangers asking when the game starts, how much tickets were. People were excited, and wanted to be there. It truly was an opportunity to expand the reach of the Crew as more people were exposed to their brand of soccer, which is an exciting one I may add. Once the game started the energy in the stadium was amazing, people were very engaged. A record crowd of 60,000+ made their presence felt, especially in the game's closing minutes as the Crew were piling on chances in an effort to at least earn a draw. Something was therapeutic about having so many people be hanging on the edge of their seats in anticipation of a Crew goal. It was an electric environment and one I really enjoyed. I'm in the camp that this game in the long run will help the team. Yes, it's one home game we had to sacrifice, but on a grand scale the experience, while unique and the result unfortunate, overall was a great time and I would do it again. Was it a money grab? Of course, my thought is that's baseline in pretty much any sport. In the end I'm just happy we have a team in Columbus to continue to support, which wasn't a promise not too long ago. We owe something to the people that stepped in to help ensure that reality. If the trade-off is the Crew gets saved, but one home game gets played in Cleveland? Then sign me up. We are lucky to be able to support this squad and watch them continue to be championship level contenders. While those are my thoughts on the matter, I'm definitely ready to get back home to Lower.com in Columbus on Saturday and watch the squad get back on track and defend the real fortress.