Alex Crognale must wait until his second match to make his first rookie mistake.

The towering CrewSC center back looked more like a 10-year veteran Saturday night than a youngster who’s just months removed from taking final exams at the University of Maryland. Crognale made what coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter called “a dream debut” in a 2-0 win over DC United in Washington.

Maybe it was the familiar surroundings, playing so close to his college alma mater. Maybe it was the steady performances of teammates around him. Maybe he has nerve on loan from Blue Jackets’ rookie defenseman Zach Werenksi. Whatever the case, Crognale could not have been better defensively in helping the Crew (1-1-1) earn its first win.

With Jonathan Mensah sidelined due to a red-card suspension, Berhalter showed faith in the 6-foot-5 homegrown signing in a game the Crew needed. The Gahanna native rewarded the coach with a composed 90 minutes while playing between Nicolai Naess and Josh Williams.

He was credited with three tackles, two blocks and an interception.

“He was isolated a couple times in the first half and really responded well,” Berhalter said. “And in the air – where I told him before the game, ‘this is where you are going to earn your money’ – he did a great job.”

Mensah returns to the lineup next weekend at home against the Portland Timbers. It’s unclear whether Berhalter reverts to his familiar 4-2-3-1 alignment or sticks with the three center backs in what appeared to be a 3-4-2-1 formation.

What’s certain is Crognale’s poised outing gives his coach options in regards to personnel and set up. He was particularly good in the first half, heading balls to safety on United crosses and making clean tackles inside the box. The hosts didn’t register a shot on goal in the first half thanks in part to Crognale’s effort.

Berhalter said he made the formation change in hopes of having a compact back line that could combat United balls lofted into the box. Crognale registered 11 clearances. Naess and Williams also played well, but that’s to be expected from veterans.

United, which is yet to score a goal in three games, finished with just three shots on target.

“I think Alex did great,” Berhalter said. “He made some key plays in the first half and I thought he was dominant in the air. For me, it was a dream debut to play that well in your first game.”

treed@dispatch.com

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