Columbus Crew SC make defensive progress in win over Minnesota United – MLSsoccer.com

MINNEAPOLIS Talk about a response. Talk aboutprogress.

Columbus Crew SC were able to keep their first clean sheet since late May on Tuesday, beating Minnesota United, 1-0, at TCF Bank Stadium. For Crew SCcoach Gregg Berhalter, the close affair followed his desired script.

We had an objective to make it difficult for Minnesota, Berhalter said. In the first half, we had a goal to get to 0-0at the half, and we did that. We werent pleased with our counterattacking in the first half. We had an opportunity to score two or three goals.

With each team starting with a variation of a five-man back line, midfield possession was scarce. This left the two teams to focus on building through quick transitions. Columbus wereable to capitalize on one such chance in the second half, as Kekuta Manneh struck in the 58th minute on a well-taken low shot from distance.

Manneh's contributions and those of the other Crew SC attackers were not simply in the attack. They also chipped in to the overall solid defensive effort on the day by pressuring Minnesota.

Kekuta, Ola [Kamara], and Ethan [Finlay]did well to close down, Berhalter said. They worked to make it hard on defenders. You can understand why there were times that they didnt have energy for the counterattack.

The focus on the wings and counters madefor an interesting development in Columbus' midfield, which did not allow much up the middle against Minnesota en route to surrendering just one shot on target on the day.

Today was a great testament to our collective work, said Columbus captain Wil Trapp. We had a new lineup, a lot of guys who didnt start. We stayed as cohesive as possible, and thats a lot of work that we put in the training field. Its a mentality, to communicate and have the guynext to yours back.

Among the new pieces in the lineup were Lalas Abubakar, who madehis MLS debut. The rookiewas alongside Nicolai Naess and Alex Crognale, and they all did well to keep the clean sheet despite not having veteran presenceJonathan Mensahto leadthe way.

I think its good, Berhalter said of holding Minnesota scoreless. The thing about us is that we play a certain way that will concede some chances at times. We dont want to give upsilly goals. A lot of the times were the aggressor, looking to stretch the opponent, and sometimes that leaves you vulnerable.

"Tonight, the effort from guys like Abubakar, Crognale, and [Josh] Williams made it a collective effort.

Go here to read the rest:

Columbus Crew SC make defensive progress in win over Minnesota United - MLSsoccer.com