The Crew are looking for more than back-to-back wins.
Last week, the Crew defeated Nashville, a team they’d lost to a month earlier, and Saturday night at Lower.com Field, they have another chance to avenge an earlier defeat.
On March 18, Columbus lost on the road to the New York Red Bulls 2-1 after conceding a late goal. That was only the fourth match under first-year coach Wilfried Nancy, and the Crew (9-6-4) believe, with validity, that they are a much different team now.
“This year, it’s a new (philosophy) and a new coach, and I think game by game we are improving,” said midfielder Lucas Zelarayan, who along with Aidan Morris was named to this year’s MLS All-Star Game on July 19. “Obviously, now we are better than in March, so I think we are able now to play better against them.”
Columbus is 4-0-1 in its past five matches. The last time the Crew had a similar stretch came three years ago in their MLS championship season. The buzz around the team got a boost this week with the announcement that the 2024 MLS All-Star Game would be played in Columbus.
More: MLS All-Star Game is Columbus’ reward for enduring ‘traumatic process’
“It’s a good vibe,” goalkeeper Patrick Schulte said. “Obviously, winning helps a lot, but I think it’s just a credit to what we do throughout the week in preparation for the weekend and the belief everyone has. Even the games we lose, we feel we’re right there in it.”
The Crew have been close to unbeatable at home. They have played in front of eight consecutive sellout crowds and are 11-1-5 since August at Lower.com Field.
More: As Nashville arrives, Crew trying to shake the recent trend of conceding late-game goals
“We are very thankful for the fans because every game that we play at home the atmosphere is really good, and that pushes us to give our all,” Zelarayan said.
It showed last week against Nashville.
“In terms of results, we are pleased, but to be honest I’m (more) happy with the way my players grew,” Nancy said. “The Nashville game was a good example. We grew and I saw the difference between the first game in Nashville and the game last week in terms of mindset.
“I’m really pleased about the way they acted against Nashville in terms of solidarity, in terms of getting out of their comfort zone, in terms of togetherness, in terms of leadership.”
The Crew understands that on Saturday they must combat the Red Bulls’ aggressive and stingy defense. New York (5-6-8) yields only 6.7 shots per game, the fewest by more than two shots of any MLS team in a decade.
It will be a clash of styles because, by himself, the Crew’s Cucho Hernandez averages a league-high 5.8 shots per 90 minutes, most in the MLS.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Crew hopes to continue rolling at home against New York Red Bulls