If you could use a stat to describe him, it would be 1.89.
When Eloy Roomstarts, Columbus Crew SC averages 1.89 points per match, and his two most recent starts (both being shutouts) have provided supporters with a welcomed reminder on the consistency the Curacao international brings.
In his first start since July 16, Room recorded a pair of key saves on Aug. 29 vs. FCC that very well marked the difference between Columbus earning a hard-fought road point against a bunkering Cincy side and what could've potentially been the Club's first #HellisReal MLS loss.
Four days later, the Crew (6-1-2, 20 pts.) ground out yet another shutout against the fourth-place Philadelphia Union with Room tallying three saves.
Of course, the Crew's unparalleled Club record of seven shutouts in the first nine games is, in large part, due to opposing teams not being in a dangerous position. Even when teams get a scent of goal it's still an all-out defensive effort, as most recently evidenced by Darlington Nagbe's goalline clearance vs. Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Room said that play was a great example of one of the team's core tenants.
“We want to defend as a team, so not only the defense but the midfielders, the attack, everybody helping each other," Room said. "I think that’s a great example for our team at this moment. We want to fight for each other and help each other out, and it’s always nice to see if you look around and see someone taking care of business.”
Still, the correlation between Room and the Crew's noted run of results cannot go unnoticed.
This season alone, Crew SC is unbeaten in the six games in which Room has started (4-0-2), and of MLS goalkeepers to have played at least five full matches this season, he's the only one to have not given up a goal from open play.
Room's 92.86-percent save rate is tops in MLS amongst those with five games under their belt, and his five shutouts so far are tied with FC Cincinnati's Przemyslaw Tyton for most in the League.
“I like goalkeepers with a presence. I like steady-Eddies. I like guys who make the simple plays, game-in game-out," said Caleb Porter. "I think he’s just the perfect fit for us because he’s good with his feet, he’s smart positionally, he’s very calm, he has a great presence, he’s a good leader.”
Since Room made his Club debut last July, Columbus is unbeaten of 16 of 18 games in which he's started, posting a record of 9-2-7 with a goal differential of +14.
Additionally, Room's 2020 shutout total of five has already tied the team's 2019 total, as he continues to be a piece, albeit a key one, of a transformation that started taking shape mid-season last year.
“It started to build mid-season last year … and it’s continued this season," Porter said about the team's improved level of play overall, as he continued on about how his players understand the balance that he wants to see on the field.
"We want to be a winning team and to win you have to score goals, but also you can’t be giving up easy goals. I think our guys understand both sides of the ball are important."
As far as how that balance relates to Room, Porter said his ability to initiate the attack with his feet is massive, but it's not the be-all and end-all.
"We have a profile for every position and [the passing] high up, but so is shot-stopping. There’s been a movement for sure with goalkeepers and central defenders where you’re prioritizing their ability to start attacks," Porter noted. "But for me, you can’t prioritize that over the defending and the shot-stopping, and that goes back to my statement about my whole team and the philosophy we have, is that it’s about the balance."
This year, the Crew has two conceded goals through nine games, marking the first team to do so since the LA Galaxy went 12 games while allowing less than three total goals.
Come Sunday, though, the Crew is just looking to maintain the one number that really counts – "1" – the Crew's current rank in the Supporters' Shield race.
