Following two home draws last week, Columbus Crew SC hosts Orlando City SC at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday night.
WATCH: #CLBvORL this Saturday
After starting the season 2-0-2, Orlando City has gone just 2-5-8 since, and have not won since June 25. The Lions are 1-5-3 on the road this year and 1-1-1 all-time against Crew SC, with the loss coming on April 18, 2015, at MAPFRE Stadium.
This match marks the third in 10 days for Gregg Berhalter’s side, and will be the final game of a three-match home stand. And after the Black & Gold claimed two points from last week’s matches, defender Corey Ashe says that some adjustments need to be made on the final pass and execution in the box in order to score more goals and take all three points.
“We are getting chances, we are getting shots on goal, it’s just a matter of putting those shots away. And when we get the ball wide, making sure our crosses find the target,” he said. “Sometimes it’s been behind guys making runs, or in front of them, and if we’re a little more clinical in that aspect, we’ll be fine.”
The Lions’ attack has been fierce through 19 games this season. 2015 Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin, and midfielders Kaka and Kevin Molino have combined for 15 goals and 14 assists, exactly half of the clubs’s totals in each category.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW: Orlando City SC
And with such a potent offense, Ashe emphasizes that a well-structured defense will be a key for the Black & Gold.
“They have a lot of good attacking players that can hurt you," he said. "So as a defense, you have to be organized, know where those guys are, and communication is key.”
Midfielder Ethan Finlay says that Crew SC are fighting for October now, and although the club is not in the position it thought it would be, the Black & Gold are in a good spot in the standings and must take advantage of playing at home.
“It’s extremely important, and we’ll continue to hammer away at these home games," Finlay said. "We need to really start pushing for three points, and I think we did that last Saturday, but just fell short. You can’t dwell on it, it happened, and we have to go back to it and keep plugging away.”
Saturday’s clash of Eastern Conference opponents kicks off at 7:30 p.m. The match will be available through CW Columbus and Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, as well as an audio stream on CD102.5 and La Mega 103.1. TICKETS
