Every once in a while a team gets the opportunity to show what it’s made of. Sunday’s clash with the Montreal Impact was that opportunity for Columbus Crew SC.
With the Second Leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals tied 1-1 at the break, the Black & Gold faced an uphill battle. They needed at least one goal to stay alive in the series and another to advance to the next round of the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Things looked grim after forward Kei Kamara missed a penalty kick in the 68th minute, but the Black & Gold dug deep and got the job done. It was a display of a character, belief and team spirit, according to those involved.
“I think collectively the group stepped up,” Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter says. “You saw it from each and every one who was on the field that they wanted to win.”
Berhalter says his team is an “extremely close group” that is benefitting from a core of players who have grown together over the past two years. “We spend a lot of time together, a lot of time talking, analyzing, training, working hard. And that binds you. It brings you together.”
Part of that core is Vice Captain Wil Trapp. The midfielder says there’s a level of trust within the team that makes Crew SC so successful.
“When you can look at your teammates and know that you trust them with whatever situation comes – whether they make a mistake or you make a mistake – and you know that they’re going to have your back, that’s a huge, huge part of what makes a strong team,” he says. “I think we have that now, and with everyone pushing forward and collectively thinking about the same goal, we can be very difficult to beat.”
Defender Waylon Francis says the Black & Gold’s overall objective heading into the playoff series with Montreal was to keep pushing forward, get the win and advance to the Eastern Conference Championship.
“We all came together, discussed what the objective was, and I think that’s what really boosted us as far as the team chemistry,” Francis says. “We have good communication within the squad, we’re constantly communicating and it really translates to the field as far as being on the same page.”
Francis demonstrated this in the Second Leg with Montreal as he served a perfect cross from the left wing to striker Kei Kamara’s head for a goal in the fourth minute.
“Kei’s shown confidence in me, and he knows that if I’m in a certain spot on the field and I have a chance to cross, he knows where that ball’s going,” Francis says. “It’s a lot of things that have culminated to the chemistry and the way we’ve been playing. It’s not just the way we train here, but it’s knowing each other’s tendencies.”
Striker Aaron Schoenfeld says much of that chemistry has developed off the pitch.
“Whenever we have any free time, everyone tries to meet up off the field, so I feel like it carries over to training, because everyone’s friends,” Schoenfeld says. “Guys are going to try to cover for each other on the field, make an extra sprint in a game to cover a teammate. It’s just built over time.”
Trapp says the team’s chemistry has “been an evolution, a journey throughout the year, but it’s definitely hitting stride at the right point.”
One could witness this on Sunday in Black & Gold’s come-from-behind series victory in extra time over Montreal.
“There are things that happen in the game and you try to stay as centered as you possibly can,” Trapp says. “I think our group is just very, very tight knit. We work hard for each other, we sacrifice for each other, and you could see that at the end of the game.”
Making those sacrifices stems from trust and hard work, and is ultimately what allows Crew SC to come in clutch in tough matches.
“If you make a mistake, you know a teammate’s going to cover for you,” Schoenfeld says. “If you need someone to step up, you can rely on your friends.”
And it’s not always the same guys that Columbus rely on. Throughout the course of 2015, eight different players have put the ball in the back of the net, and 18 guys have set up 62 goals for the Black & Gold.
“Everyone’s bought into the plan, guys aren’t very selfish,” Schoenfeld says. “You see guys getting involved, putting teammates in scoring positions. Everyone’s main objective is to win. It’s not about individual awards anymore, it’s all about the collective goal of winning the MLS Cup.”
The Black & Gold begin the next round of the tournament on Sunday, November 22. They host the New York Red Bulls at MAPFRE Stadium for the First Leg of the Eastern Conference Championship. Tickets are available here.
