Why Wilfried Nancy feels lack of offense is not a problem for Columbus Crew
On paper, the Crew offense is seemingly in need of a boost.
Through two MLS regular-season games and one CONCACAF Champions Cup match, the reigning MLS Cup champions have mustered three goals on 15 shots on target.
On paper, Crew coach Wilfried Nancy says, three goals is not enough. But through three games and heading into Saturday’s home match against Chicago Fire FC, not only is Nancy not concerned about his team’s offensive output, he’s pleased.
“If we watch the game, we have many chances,” Nancy said. “So it’s going to come.”
In three games, including the team’s 1-0 win against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the Crew have 47 shots. Cucho Hernandez, who scored each of the team’s goals against Atlanta United and Minnesota United FC, and Alex Matan are the only Crew players with goals in 2024.
While Nancy said it’s easy to question the Crew’s offense, he points to Wednesday’s win against the Dynamo as progress, from Marino Hinestroza’s right-footed miss from outside the box and a Diego Rossi strike pushed into the post by Dynamo goaltender Steve Clark, to a Christian Ramirez score called back on an offside penalty.
Forward Jacen Russell-Rowe feels the Crew have been unlucky, saying the Crew have been “offensively fluid” as the players get more comfortable playing with one another.
“We’ll get sharper as the season goes. I’m sure of it,” Russell-Rowe said. “Even a little bit of we’re unlucky sometimes. … Like Wilfried said, the chances are there. And that’s probably the most important thing is that we’re able to find the opportunities.”
Through three games, those opportunities have come mostly from one player. Hernandez has two of the Crew’s three goals. He also has seven of the team’s 15 shots on target and nearly 45% of the team’s total shots despite playing in 225 of the team’s 270 total minutes.
Rossi is the only other Crew player with multiple shots on target.
But Nancy doesn’t feel the numbers tell the whole story. That’s just what is on paper.
In person, Nancy said he already sees the potential of the Crew offense becoming a well-oiled machine.
“Opportunities came from everyone,” Nancy said. “And this is why I’m pleased with that. I’m not concerned with that. … If, let’s say in one month, we have the same issue, but this time we don’t have chances, yes, I’m going to be concerned. But for the moment, this is more about the execution. And it’s going to come.”
Wilfried Nancy praises Alex Matan after game-winning goal
Matan has not had much time in 2024 to show what he can do.
After starting 27 games for the Crew in 2023, including each playoff game, Matan has been limited to 72 minutes in the first three games. This includes a start against Minnesota in which he was replaced at half by Christian Ramirez.
But as a substitute Wednesday against the Dynamo, Matan made his 12 minutes of playing time count by scoring the Crew’s game-winning goal during stoppage time.
“With Matty, this is not about the player,” Nancy said. “This is about him now as a human being because you know in life sometimes we have a difficult moment. And Matty is in a state of mind that is not easy for him at this moment. So that’s why we are behind him, try to help him to have joy on the pitch because some things in life, you have certain things that you cannot control. And this is what is happening for Matty for a moment. So that’s why we’re all together behind him and was pleased he was able to score yesterday.”
Crew defender Mohamed Farsi returned to the starting lineup after missing the team’s draw against Minnesota. Nancy said Farsi still “has a bit of pain” and is not comfortable, but will be ready for Saturday against Chicago.
The Crew kick off against Chicago at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Lower.com Fied.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Wilfried Nancy feels lack of offense is not a problem for Crew
