New York City FC-Crew Preview
New York City FC is winless in its last four. Columbus is plain winless.
The Crew haven't experienced victory since the first leg of the Eastern Conference finals and sit in the cellar of a twisted East, something they'll try to begin correcting Saturday night at home against one of the clubs benefiting from the chaos.
Columbus (0-3-2) concluded a 0-1-2 road span with last Saturday's 2-0 loss to Montreal. The Crew have scored just three goals, are the only MLS club averaging under half of a point per match and are off to their worst start since going winless through seven matches in 2009.
The four teams out of the East's top six are coach Gregg Berhalter's MLS Cup finalist, the Supporters' Shield-holding New York Red Bulls and playoff teams Toronto and D.C. United.
"We came up short in the initial phase of the season," Berhalter told the club's official website. "But we had some tough away games. When you look at Montreal, Portland and Dallas, those are all three tough opponents away from home."
It's unfamiliar territory for a club whose 58 goals last season trailed only the Red Bulls, but the Crew feel it's more a matter of finishing than creating.
"I think that's something that we have gotten away from at times," said Ethan Finlay, who's seeking his first goal after scoring a career-best 12 in 34 regular-season matches last season. "We have created a lot of chances early in the game, but haven't quite finished them. We have to just keep going with it."
Columbus and Seattle are the only MLS clubs without a two-goal game, but that wasn't a problem last season against NYCFC. Over an 11-day span in August, the clubs drew 2-2 in Columbus and the Crew won 2-1 in the Bronx.
New York City (1-1-3) is also in a bit of an attacking rut after Sunday's scoreless draw with Chicago concluded a four-match home span. After scoring six goals in its first three matches, the club has managed one in its last three.
"I think we have players who can score goals, but it's just about them keep working and there's a little bit of luck we need as well on our side," coach Patrick Vieira told the club's official website. "At the moment it's not there."
Nevertheless, it's probably difficult for City to complain about being in the top half of the East after finishing ahead of only Chicago in its first MLS season.
Vieira's team plays five of its next seven on the road, but there might be something to getting away from the restricting dimensions and ugly soccer of Yankee Stadium for a roster of talented international names capable of creating in more traditional space. Dating to its last match of September, NYCFC is 0-2-3 at home with four goals scored and 2-2-0 away with eight.
An established opponent becoming more desperate for a win just might not be ideal.
"I'm not going to be naive to think their record reflects the type of team they are," City defender Jason Hernandez said. "We know they're a very dangerous team and a very good team and chomping at the bit at home. The onus will be on us to be strong and solid for the entire 90 minutes because they have guys who in just a split second can hurt you."
NYCFC will remain without Frank Lampard for a sixth straight game due to a calf injury, while No. 1 overall draft pick Jack Harrison's debut has been delayed because of a pelvic injury. The 19-year-old trained fully this week for the first time.