Pitchside notes: 5 questions with Columbus Crew SC beat writer Andrew Erickson

Show Caption Hide Caption FC Cincinnati advances to face Columbus Crew SC FC Cincinnati knocked rival Louisville City FC out of the U.S. Open Cup May 31 via a 1-0 win at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium.

Futbol Club Cincinnati is no stranger to big occasions and matches, but Wednesday's visit from Columbus Crew FC of Major League Soccer is an entirely different proposition than anything Greater Cincinnati has ever seen.

What's shaping up to be a showcase week for second-year FC Cincinnati will likely be highlighted by the fourth-round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup date with Crew SC, arguably the biggest match in club history.

MORE: MLS 'audition' on deck for FC Cincinnati

To be sure, the match is a layered one. There will be plenty at stake on the synthetic Nippert Stadium surface, but the scenes in the Nippert grandstands coupled with a visit from front office staffers from Crew SC, the quintessential MLS outfit, could also pay great dividends for FC Cincinnati.

As for the match itself, Columbus (7-8-1, 22 points, minus-two goal differential) is currently in fifth place and above the playoff cut line in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. Crew SC is also less than two years removed from hosting the MLS Cup final at Mapfre Stadium, and plenty of players from that great Crew team are still with the organization.

In order to assist Greater Cincinnatians in dissecting and understanding the layered meanings of this important day in FC Cincinnati history, The Enquirer put five questions about the match to Andrew Erickson, Columbus Crew SC and Ohio State women's basketball beat writer for The Columbus Dispatch.

Read Andrew's take on the match:

THE ENQUIRER:How would you describe the Columbus sports scene’s take on the burgeoning rivalry with FC Cincinnati? MLS obviously emphasizes regional rivalries, but do you see the Columbus market engaging with FC Cincinnati in a meaningful way in that respect?

AE: For the first time in a long time, there’s excitement for Crew SC heading into a U.S. Open Cup game. Last June, the Crew hosted the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. A grand total of 1,064 people attended that match. The Ohio Derby will kick off two hours from Columbus, yet it’s reasonable to expect a much higher turnout from Crew SC supporters on Wednesday between sections 101 and 102 and fans dotted throughout Nippert Stadium.

While Crew SC’s lineup for the FC Cincinnati game will undoubtedly reflect a greater focus on achieving a result three days later at Atlanta United, Wednesday’s matchup provides an extra wrinkle to what’s generally a lackluster U.S. Open Cup fourth-round atmosphere. There’s more to play for this time around beyond a ticket to the round of 16, and supporters, players and Crew SC’s front office understand that.

MORE: Read Pat Brennan's responses to 5 questions about the match from The Dispatch

ENQUIRER: Do you get a sense for how the Crew SC front office views the possibility of a having an MLS team less than two hours down Interstate 71? Have they warmed to the idea or do they still view Cincinnati as part of the Crew SC marketplace?

AE: Crew SC investor-operator Anthony Precourt told The Dispatch last July of FC Cincinnati, “First of all, I’d say that Cincinnati is a great market for Crew SC. We’ve got a lot season-ticket holders coming up from Cincinnati for our games. The second thing I’d say is I cheer for club soccer in America. So, the early success they’ve had is great to see.”

This season, there have been nods to Crew SC wanting to represent Ohio in addition to Columbus. A small Ohio state flag now appears on the back of the Crew’s primary jersey near the collar and a giant banner featuring the Ohio flag hangs outside the south side of Mapfre Stadium.

Precourt, a member of the five-owner Expansion Committee that will evaluate expansion applications, reflected in his comments an element of what MLS Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott had to say in February in discussing MLS expansion bids. Proximity is an obvious factor for consideration, but it cuts both ways, having the potential to adversely impact an existing MLS club while simultaneously creating a rivalry that helps shape the identity of the league.

ENQUIRER:In sum, what is your evaluation of Crew SC’s body of work to date in 2017?

AE: The word “perception” is one that has come up a lot in recent interviews with coach Gregg Berhalter. Crew SC (7-8-1) is tied for second in MLS in wins. It’s also tied for second in losses and has the third-highest goals against average.

On a good night, Crew SC has shown it can beat the league’s best. On a bad night, opponents can punish Crew giveaways in high volumes. Crew SC sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with 22 points. It also enters the second half of the season with the understanding that it has work to do on defense.

ENQUIRER: Historically, how has Crew SC approached these early-round U.S. Open Cup matches against lower-division clubs? What kind of starting XI do you expect Gregg to use in Cincinnati?

AE: Berhalter understands Saturday’s game against Atlanta United is the only one next week with the potential to earn Crew SC needed points in the Eastern Conference playoff race. His lineup against FC Cincinnati should reflect that.

The Crew had a similar schedule setup last year, with a U.S. Open Cup game against Tampa Bay on a Wednesday followed by a Saturday game against an MLS opponent. Against the Rowdies, Crew SC used a reserve-heavy lineup but played regular 2016 contributors like Tony Tchani, Justin Meram, Ethan Finlay and Wil Trapp for 45 minutes and starting defenders Michael Parkhurst (70 minutes) and Waylon Francis (90 minutes) for longer.

Expect Crew SC to sprinkle a few starters in its lineup Wednesday. Don’t expect those starters to grind out 90 minutes with the Atlanta game just three days out.

ENQUIRER: Crew SC will beat FC Cincinnati and advance in the Open Cup if...?

AE: …it does the obvious: Set the tone and get on the board early. Crew SC has lost four games from a winning position this season, but did not have a multi-goal lead in any of those games. An ability to finish chances early will place less of a burden on the defense as FC Cincinnati turns up its pressure. When Crew SC allows teams to hang around, it has generally meant trouble.