Blowout: Columbus Crew lambasted by the Union for the first defeat of 2019

The 2019 season of Columbus Crew SC started so brilliantly. Building on its momentum on Save The Crew, Black & Gold started the year 2-0-1 and climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer.

The team returned to Earth Saturday night, losing 3-0 to the old Philadelphia Union without a win on the road. The game featured little offensive creativity by visitors, as well as possession and defense fouls that were not characteristic in the first three games of the year.

For most of the first half, there was nothing important to discuss, except for a few chances for half of both sides. The right crew, Harrison Afful, scoring center on a cross, missing striker Patrick Mullins, was the most remarkable match of the first half-hour.

Although the Black & Gold did not create much, the team defended well, which was a staple under new head coach Caleb Porter. At the start of the match, Columbus had only one goal left, conceded in the opening game of the season against the New York Red Bulls. All this changed in the 31st minute.

Just after half an hour, Federico Higuain dropped the ball in the opposing half. Philadelphia threw the counter-jet, qualifying third in three badists before Fabrice-Jean Picault slipped a shot in the back to David Accam. The quick winger rushed into the penalty area and carefully kissed his shot from the far post and into the net, beating substitute goaltender Joe Bendik.

This goal was the first for Accam since July last season. This is because Harrison Afful was caught up and could not get back to his long-time friend fast enough. Jonathan Mensah tried to cover the field but it was just not fast enough.

After struggling near the goal for nearly a year, Accam found a second for the Union just 10 minutes after its premiere. This goal began with another gift, this time from Afful, near the middle of the field. A decisive pbad between Jonathan and Gaston Sauro found Accam in the box. Sauro slipped, Jonathan did not get the tackle and Afful was slow to get up again before the winger hid the ball in the net for the first half of the first half.

Despite the possibility of regrouping in the locker room at the break, the crew came out in the second half and almost immediately gave up the third goal. Ilsinho was in the penalty box after a center shot to the left by the Union. Robinho's goal shot was not selected. The midfielder covered his shot for the 3-0 advantage.

Even after several goals in the second half, the Black & Gold have found no offense in the last 45 minutes.

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At the end of the week, head coach Caleb Porter explained how much he loved the depth of Black & Gold, comparing it to some of his most successful teams of the past, Wear Timbers. He thought his veteran replacements would replace the unavailable Zack Steffen, Wil Trapp, Gyasi Zardes, Waylon Francis and Justin Meram.

On Saturday, the depth was more like a body than a viable player. Joe Bendik, Ricardo Clark, Patrick Mullins, Hector Jimenez and Robinho are not directly to blame for conceded goals or the absence of offensive, but they certainly were not at the replacement level for the Black & Gold.

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With so many missing players, Columbus needed the team's top talent to progress. The number one on this list is Federico Higuain, midfield maestro. The attacking creator of the crew, who is generally good at magic every game, was not found in this contest. He returned the ball in building the first goal and Higuain was never an offensive factor for the Black & Gold.

Higuain remains one of the most underrated players in the league and certainly the best of Columbus' lineup, but when the team needed more of him this year to become an offensive catalyst, he was invisible.

And after

The crew will want to quickly put this performance behind and focus on the future. This means an appointment with the defending champions of the MLS Cup, Atlanta United, next Saturday at MAPFRE Stadium. United did not play to their championship level this year, going to 0-1-2 to start the season. The Black & Gold will also find their national team pieces, which should give a boost to the next generation after Saturday's performance.

This match will start at 19:30. AND.