Columbus Crew have 15 goals in 4 games after defeating Toronto FC 4-0: 3 takeaways
15 goals scored. One goal conceded.
In the Crew's past four matches, including a 4-0 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday at Lower.com Field, they have had a plus-14 goal differential, a club best in a four-game span. According to Wilfried Nancy, there is no picking what has been more impressive, the offensive production or the defensive success. For the Crew coach, it's about what the numbers represent.
"We don't take anything for granted," Nancy said. "We're able to attack well and defend well, and that is something that I like because we are able to show that we are confident but humble enough to accept that we have to go again to score goals."
Replay: Crew frontline trio lead Columbus to 4-0 victory over Toronto FC
While goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who was officially named to the United States Olympic team on Saturday, was recording his third clean sheet in four games, the offense kept putting insurance goals on the board against Toronto.
Striker Cucho Hernandez scored the first goal in the first half, and forward Christian Ramirez scored his fifth goal of the season, early in the second, giving the Crew a comfortable 2-0 lead. In the final 10 minutes before stoppage time, the Crew scored two more goals, a header from midfielder Mo Farsi and a shot in front of the goal from forward Diego Rossi.
"What is beautiful is we're able to score and still be concentrated defensively to not allow goals as well," Farsi said. "When we score goals, it's not just the attackers, and when we don't concede goals it's not just the defenders. It's all of the team."
Columbus Crew use 'one touch' to find unique ways to score against Toronto FC
Following the Crew's loss to Inter Miami on June 19, Nancy said he felt they had the opportunities to score and change what ended up being the final score of 2-1. Specifically, Nancy wanted the Crew to capitalize on "tap in" shots, having players score after getting just one touch on the ball.
"We have to improve all the time, and so the consequence of that is we are able to do something new," Nancy said. "We discussed the possibility to tap in, to score on one touch. Since then (the Miami game), they did it well. ... They played naturally, and for me, I'm really proud of that, because I challenge them more and more."
Hernandez and Farsi scored off header shots. Additionally, Rossi used just one high kick to score off a loose ball in Toronto's box.
Mo Farsi connects on goal that was games in the making
In the three games leading up to the Toronto matchup, Farsi had been close to scoring on multiple occasions.
Farsi was credited with only three shot attempts during the three-game span before Saturday, but there were some opportunities he was unable to even get a shot off. On Saturday, Rossi found Farsi inside the box with a header pass for a header goal.
"Every game, I try to be in a good position to score," Farsi said. "I'm a wingback. We have some freedom to go everywhere, so I try to be more and more in the box. ... I missed a couple chances, but for me, it's part of the game. I'm going to miss, but I'm trying to get better in front of the goal."
Cucho Hernandez, Diego Rossi combine for 35 goal contributions in MLS regular-season play
Rossi was acquired by the Crew as a former Golden Boot winner, scoring the most goals in the league during the 2020 season with Los Angeles FC. Playing alongside Hernandez, Rossi is no longer expected to be the team's top goal scorer, but he is in the running to finish the season with the Crew's most goal contributions due to his assists.
Against Toronto, Rossi added two assists to his regular-season stats, putting him at 10 assists and 17 goal contributions with seven goals scored. Hernandez has one more goal contribution than Rossi this season with 18 off 11 goals and seven assists.
"It's easy to play with them, with Diego (Rossi)," Hernandez said. "We are friends off the pitch, and when we play together, you can see the feeling, you can see that we can play wherever."
Get more Columbus Crew content by listening to our podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Cucho Hernandez, Diego Rossi score in Crew win vs Toronto: Takeaways
