The Crew’s substitution come up clutch to help deliver the clean sheet for Columbus. The Union, on the other hand, fall to an abysmal 3-7-4 at Subaru Park this season. Hard to Believe, Harry. Let’s wrap on all the sights and sounds of the match.
Nate Harriel’s Back Injury
In the 17th minute, Nate Harriel went down with an injury. After a brief moment receiving medical attention for what appeared to be his back or knee, the 23-year-old left the match with team doctors. Oliver Mbazio replaced Harriel, but the real story is that the back line for the Union suddenly has become razor thin. Harriel was already the club’s third choice center back and backup left back. With Damion Lowe‘s sale to Saudi Arabian club Al Akhdoud, options are sparse.
“It hurts,” Curtin said post-game. “When he goes out early, that’s one of the depth spots we had and now it’s gone. There’s no real timetable yet, but it’s not good because it’s something that can happen again and again.”
Curtin went on to describe Harriel’s injury as back spasms and he didn’t appear very optimistic about the initial prognosis. Moreover, with Jakob Glesnes and Jack Elliott having just played 90 plus minutes in the sweltering heat on a short week, one has to wonder what Curtin and the club will do to patch up the holes in the center back group before their up-coming three game road swing.
Close, But No Cigar
Despite the loss, the boys in blue actually began the match well. Philly had about five or six corner kicks in a row, but weren’t able to finish any of them for goals. In fact, twice the Union hit the post on quality looks at the cage. Quinn Sullivan perhaps got the most opportunity, as he got to play more wide than normal.
“He did some good things,” Curtin said of the 20 year-olds game. “He did turn some balls over trying to be brave and play forward which I can live with. We played a little flatter with the 4-4-2 and it set up Quinn and Leon [Flach] in an easier spot to defend in the way the Crew plays forward and overlaps.”
Earlier in the match, Tai Baribo also found iron on a pretty cross from Sullivan in the 13th minute. The Israeli footballer did well in getting into position to receive the ball from Sullivan before getting his foot on it for a slick redirection on goal. But, alas, more frustration for Philly against a Crew side that seems to have their number across all competitions this year.
Baribo’s Golden Boot
Speaking of Baribo, the 26-year old was awarded the Leagues Cup Top Goal Scorer Award before the match on Wednesday. Baribo led the tournament in goals with seven, followed by LAFC’s Denis Bouanga (6) and Columbus’s Diego Rossi (6), respectively.
If you have followed along with our coverage this season, it’s become rather easy to find yourself rooting for Baribo during this turbulent season. From being buried on the depth chart to now becoming a key contributor in the club, it’s hard not to admire the stick-with-it-ness and resolve of the player.
He truly earned that Leagues Cup honor this season.
They Said It
Jim Curtin on Columbus’s Best Players Starting on the Bench: “We put a lot into the game, it wasn’t lack of effort. But I said before the game, don’t underestimate, still look at the wing backs. It’s Dejuan Jones and Herrera, big time players. They still had Zawadzki penciled in as a center back pretty seamlessly. Their still going to play the exact same way with their group. That’s a credit to them, they don’t change.”
On Deck
The Union will head to the big apple to take on the Red Bulls on Saturday, August 31st. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.
