With more injuries against FC Dallas, how Columbus Crew can continue to stay atop the East – The Columbus Dispatch

Jacob Myers|The Columbus Dispatch

Columbus 2, FC Dallas 2 | Caleb Porter postgame press conference

Columbus Crew coach Caleb Porter addresses the media following a 2-2 draw at FC Dallas on Oct. 3, 2020.

When homegrown midfielder Aidan Morrissubbedinto Saturdays game at FC Dallasfor the injured Lucas Zelarayan late in the first half,the Crewhadessentially thelineupthat ended the 2019 season.Key offseason additionsDarlington Nagbe,Zelarayanand VitoWormgoorwere all out.

Butin the absence of two key players Saturday goalkeeper Eloy Roomexited with an injury in the 71stminute the Crew found an extra level to earna2-2 drawthat kept the clubatop the Eastern Conference and Supporters Shield race.

The second half the character they showed, the personality they showed, the aggression they played with that's the way we need to play, coach Caleb Porter said after the game. That's our game."

Morris made an immediate impact by winning duels to help the Crew control the second half in possession, and midfielder Pedro Santos continued to show his good form from last season with the tying goal in the 62ndminute his fourth goal in the past six games.

Injuries last season derailed the Crew before Porter made additions to the roster in July.There have been no personnel changesin 2020, but the unknown prognosis on Zelarayan and Room could affect that.

To remain competitive forthe top record in the MLSin the finaleight games while key players recover,the Crew needs to avoid more injuriesandtoperformas it did in the second halfSaturday.

"We're hanging in, Porter said. Not exactly the way we completely want it to be, but I think survival a little bit in these next couple weeks for everyone.

The Crew has been withoutWormgoorsince the first game of the MLS is Back Tournament in July, and has weathered through games without Nagbe and Zelarayan already this season.Porter said Thursday that Nagbe was probably still one to two weeks away but was making progress.

The Crew changed its formationagainst Dallas to a 4-1-4-1because of the lack of depth in the central midfield with Nagbe and FataiAlasheout with injuries. The change in formation had midfielders Youness Mokhtar, Santos, Zelarayan and Luis Diaz all in the lineup, giving the Crew all its best scoring-chance creators on the field at the same time.

In the 43rdminutewhenZelarayan went to the ground grabbing his right hamstring, Porter was forced to returnto hispreferred4-2-3-1formation.Zelarayan appeared to suffer the injury when extending for a ball in the box after a cross from left back Milton Valenzuela. When Zelarayan attempted to kick the ball a second time, he hopped awkwardly on his left foot before getting a shot away.

Santos isnt as talented or skilled in possession as Zelarayan, but the Portuguese winger has proven to bea more than adequate replacement to an injured central attacking midfielder in the past 18 months. Hell need to bring the same intensity he showed in the second half if Zelarayan missestime.

"I feel like I'm playing very good soccer, Santos said. Every time I move to theNo. 10I know my job and my teammates know that I can help the team.

Rooms injury occurred after he dived on a ball around the 66thminute. He appeared to aggravate ita few minutes later when he slipped while clearing a ball out of play. If hes unable to go, Andrew Tarbell will take over again. He allowed one goal in three earlier starts.

There arent many teams around MLS that arent dealing with multiple injuries. Porter said he was confident the Crew would win a lot of games if it clones the second half in Dallas. That might be required to stay atop the East until key players return.

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With more injuries against FC Dallas, how Columbus Crew can continue to stay atop the East - The Columbus Dispatch