Is a Columbus Crew SC resurgence on the verge of becoming a reality?

It’s a question that has increasing validity given the club’s recent form. The Black and Gold have won two of their last three and dropped just one game during the month of August. And only six teams in the entire league obtained more than their seven points in that time.

The improved on-field performance was on full display Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes. Buoyed by goals from Ethan Finlay (32nd minute) and Justin Meram (84th minute), Crew SC cruised to a 2-0 victory. It was a comprehensive, team effort that demonstrated what this club is capable of when everything’s clicking.

Parkhurst: Wide Play, Quicker Build-Up Key to Columbus Crew SC Resurgence

Justin Meram and Ethan Finlay: The Cornerstones of Crew SC’s Wide Play

Those two players mentioned above are immensely important to the team’s overall tactical identity on the pitch. Columbus loves to utilize the flanks when making forays into the attacking third. So it should come as no surprise that this renewed vivacity has coincided with both Finlay and Meram becoming regulars on the score sheet once more.

This August ascendancy on their part is a far cry from where they were over a good portion of the season up to that point. After registering a goal apiece in Crew SC’s 3-2 win over New York City FC on April 16th, the two would venture into the proverbial desert from a scoring standpoint. It would be 15 more games before either would find the net again. Ironically enough, both did so on August 13th against that same NYCFC side in a wild 3-3 draw.

It may have marked a watershed moment in the fortunes of the two wingers and the team as a whole. Finlay has four goals in his last four games, while Meram has two goals and two assists in that span. And the latter has been a regular in setting up his teammates. In total, Meram has eight assists on the year which is not only tied for eighth best in MLS but is also a career high.

Is It Enough to Rekindle Playoff Hopes?

Team captain Michael Parkhurst is well-aware of how crucial it is to have these two dynamic attackers firing on all cylinders. This is especially true given that Crew SC still has ground to make up in the playoff race. But the club did get its first road win of the year while nearly doubling its win total all in the span of a week. And the play of Finlay and Meram played an integral part in the eyes of Parkhurst.

“This week’s been really, really big,” Parkhurst told Last Word On Sports. “Ethan’s flying now. Justin’s playing so good as well. Both of them have solidified their spots and that’s great for the team.”

Despite the success of the past month, the club remains six points behind D.C. United for the sixth and final playoff spot. But having the two Crew SC wingers replicating the heroics that produced an MLS Cup appearance in 2015 may just enable them to reemerge as postseason contenders with some help.

“To get them back to last year’s form is really important,” Parkhurst noted. “It gives us a chance.”

The Pitfalls of Crew SC’s Possession-Based Style

Crew SC makes no bones about the way the club is going to play on a game-by-game basis. Under Berhalter, it has always been heavily centered on possessing the ball and distributing it effectively to generate viable scoring opportunities. The raw stats bear this out, with Columbus leading the league in both possession percentage (54.2 percent) and passing accuracy (82.5 percent).

Where this becomes a problem is when teams anticipate this tactical methodology. The best way to counteract possession-oriented teams is to concede the ball and hunker down in the defensive third of the field. As long as the back line remains organized and compact, there will be very little space for the opposing attackers to exploit.

It also makes your opponent vulnerable in transition. Counterattacking football has become quite the en vogue trend in the game nowadays. Whether it’s Leicester City, Atletico Madrid, even the Swedish women’s national team during the Olympics, teams that bunker and counter have realized a great deal of recent success.

The Importance of Breaking Down Defenses With Effective Build-Up Play

But there is an effective way to counter the counter (sorry, couldn’t resist that one). Build-up play is an oft-cited term to describe the gradually increasing suspense and final crescendo associated with bringing the ball towards goal and unleashing a shot to challenge the keeper. The quicker that takes place, the better.

Oftentimes, playing more direct is the perfect panacea. Look no further than Crew SC’s opening goal against the Earthquakes.

One of the reasons Nicolai Naess came on Columbus’ radar in the summer transfer is his ability to deliver accurate long balls. It doesn’t get more surgical than that. And notice how frantic San Jose’s back line is at trying to set their shape. So frantic in fact that Finlay was virtually unmarked in making his back post run to connect with Meram’s cross.

Parkhurst agrees that his squad has done a much better job in recent games cycling the ball into the final third with greater efficiency. With the results speaking for themselves, it will need to continue to be the status quo moving forward.

“We definitely want to get the ball out of Steve (Clark’s) hands or feet as quick as possible before teams are able to set up in their press,” the Crew SC center back emphasized. “We know that if we can break their first line of pressure and get the ball past midfield, it bodes well for us.”

Photo courtesy of Columbus Crew SC Communications.