How the Columbus Crew lived up to 'the moment' in MLS playoff debut vs Atlanta United
Wilfried Nancy wasn’t sure how the Crew would respond.
In the days leading up to his team’s opening MLS playoff game against Atlanta United, Nancy and his staff aimed to prepare players for heightened pressure, but Nancy admittedly wasn’t sure what he was going to get.
“It’s all about the moment,” he said.
The Crew faced that moment head-on Wednesday with a 2-0 first-round shutout against Atlanta, using two Cucho Hernandez goals and a swarming defensive approach to earn their first postseason win since they won the MLS Cup final in 2020.
And in that, Nancy saw growth.
Yes, Nancy said, the Crew scored the goals it needed to. But for the coach, nothing signified the team's improvement more than its defensive performance.
“This is a big step that they did,” Nancy said. “I know that they are able to defend when we have to defend. Yes, we want to be proactive, but like I told them, at certain moments, we're going to have to run after the ball. I really like the spirit. I really like the spirit. That's why for me this is a top performance because it was difficult, but they step up, they step up, they step up. I'm really happy with that.”
Shortly after Hernandez’ penalty-kick gave the Crew a two-score lead, Atlanta ramped up the pressure offensively, keeping possession consistently over a 15-minute period.
“When they had the ball for that stretch of time, I don’t think anyone on the field felt panicked,” midfielder Aidan Morris said. “Everyone was composed, calm. They knew what to do.”
While Atlanta's final possession tally was 49.3%, their offense mustered only one shot – an Ajani Fortune attempt from the center of the penalty area in the 64th minute, which sailed right. Columbus gave up only two corner kicks.
As a result, Hernandez's goal in stoppage time of the first half, taking a pass from forward Diego Rossi and pushing it in the top left corner of the net, was all the Crew would technically need to win.
“It’s very important to be in form at this moment for the team and for myself personally, having this confidence in the playoffs,” Hernandez said through an interpreter. “But the work is not done yet. Tonight would count for nothing if we don’t qualify for the next round. So right now, I am only thinking about Tuesday and how we have to get another result (in Atlanta).”
The Crew could close out the best-of-three series with a road win. It’s the next big step.
Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte said the team's minds is to “go in there and fear nothing.”
“We just have to leave it all out there,” he said.
But Morris saw all he needed to see from the Crew on Wednesday night. He’s confident that he knows what will happen Tuesday at 7 p.m.
“We’ll get the job in Atlanta,” Morris said. “We’ll get it done.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How the Columbus Crew lived up to 'the moment' in MLS playoff debut
