This was not in the script for the Columbus Crew. The reigning MLS Cup champion had a bye to the knockout round of Leagues Cup and holds home-field advantage for the entire tournament. The path is there for another championship and another trip to the Concacaf Champions Cup. But New York City FC was ahead in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal just seconds after the opening kickoff - a kickoff the Crew had taken.
NYCFC forward Alonso Martinez pressured and won the ball, taking a few touches and finishing to give the visitors the advantage.
“I like to say to my players, no matter what type of game it is, it’s 0-0, but we started the last game 1-0!” Crew manager Wilfried Nancy said with a smile Tuesday.
Even after the disastrous start, Nancy’s team kept its nerve. The Crew got a goal before the halftime break thanks to a gorgeous Cucho Hernandez header. That was enough for them to force the penalty shootout and advance past NYCFC with a 4-3 shootout win.
In the previous round, the Crew didn’t even need the shootout to overturn a rough start. Reigning Leagues Cup champion arrived at Lower.com Field eager for the Round of 16 contest, getting a 10th-minute goal from Matias Rojas and adding a second just after the hour mark thanks to Diego Gomez. But five minutes later the Crew scored to make it 2-1 and Diego Rossi leveled the contest in the 69th minute - then scored again to win it in the 80th minute.
In this tournament, they’re becoming the “Comeback Crew”, but conceding first and trying to rally is not a formula the team wants to repeat as it heads into Wednesday’s semifinal against the Philadelphia Union.
“Obviously, we don’t want to chase the opponent or concede a goal in 10 seconds and need to come back, but we stay calm because sometimes it happens in a game,” Crew defender Yevhen Cheberko said Tuesday. “We need to respect the other team, stick together and find the opportunity to come back.”
In addition to adding another trophy to the cabinet, the Crew are looking to secure a return to the Concacaf Champions Cup after an impressive run in the 2024 edition of the continental championship. After securing results away in Nuevo León against both Tigres and Monterrey to advance from those two-legged series, they fell short in the final against Pachuca in the one-off final.
Not playing in Columbus was significant, not only because of the disruption to the typical routine, pre-match meal and other creature comforts the team enjoys in Ohio but also because it meant playing at altitude and without the support of the fans in Columbus.
“They’ve obviously played a huge role. Our record at home speaks for itself, and they’re a leading cause of that. In moments we need them to pick us up, they do. In moments when we need them to stay loud and keep the momentum on our side, they do,” forward Christian Ramirez said. “It’s been special, and I think opposition feels that when they come here.
To continue making the edge provided by fans count, the Crew need to “not shoot ourselves in the foot, I guess,” Ramirez said. “If a team outplays us and scores a difficult goal, so be it, but there are certain situations we can handle and take ownership of,” the forward continued, citing the example of Rudy Camacho. It was the center back who gave away possession leading to the quick goal but then stepped up to take and convert the first penalty after helping shut NYCFC out for the remaining 89 minutes of the match.
Nancy said he and his coaching staff have been working on his team’s mentality since last year, trying to get his team in the habit of maintaining positive energy even when negative moments happen like the goals conceded in the first 10 minutes of a contest.
“We try to put scenarios and competition in place (for) the players to be able for them to understand the game is 96 minutes. No matter what happens, we have to keep pushing, keep going and keep believing,” he said. “For me, I put a lot of focus on the mental aspect, and I think they’re with me on that. That’s why the spirit and resiliency of the team is really good.”
It has been so far. Whether they’re the Comeback Crew or not, what matters to Nancy and the team is at the end they’re the Championship Crew. It’s something they’re two results at a boisterous home ground away from making a reality, wrapping up what would be a perfect Leagues Cup script.
