OBETZ, Ohio – Four games in to their 2016 MLS season, one of last year’s most vicious attacks has yet to find its finishing touch.
Columbus Crew SC have scored just three goals on the season with an attack that features Kei Kamara, Ethan Finlay and Federico Higuain.
After combining for 55 goals and assists last season, the All-Star duo of Kamara and Finlay hasn’t been as lethal in 2016. Kamara has one goal from a Mohammed Saeid assist, while Finlay has only one assist, deflecting a ball in toward Higuain, who scored a highlight-reel bicycle kick.
But Crew SC boss Gregg Berhalter isn’t concerned about his offense. He says they’re doing enough, but just haven’t found their finishing yet.
“I have the benefit of having data on my side,” he said. “I look at chances created and we’re one of the highest in the league and passing accuracy and passes and all the good stuff. All the stuff that you want to add up to what our style of play is, we’ve been executing. It’s just about finishing.”
Finlay echoed his coach’s sentiment, and said the Columbus offense isn’t losing any faith in itself.
“It would be more frustrating if we weren’t creating the great chances that we were,” he said. “I actually think the final ball, at times, has been there. It’s just the final touch. It’s putting the thing in the back of the net. I don’t think ‘frustrating’ is the word. Creating as many chances as we have and not putting them away is disappointing, but we’re doing the right things.”
Berhalter also attributed the lack of goals to high-level goalkeeping from opponents Adam Kwarasey, Andre Blake and Chris Seitz. Ultimately, however, he knows the goals need to come.
“We’re not happy; I don’t want it to seem like we’re happy,” he said. “But we’re realistic. … For me to try to keep it in perspective I think helps [the players] a little bit, because there obviously is disappointment.”
Finlay says he and his teammates aren’t worried. He says “there’s no need to be hitting a panic button” just yet.
“This is a process,” he said. “It’s about being patient. I hope the fans can stay patient with us because as a group, we’re staying patient. That’s what’s most important. The coaches believe in us. Ask me in a month and we’ll see, but at this point I feel good about where we’re at.”
To get back on track, the club will certainly want Kamara on the field.
The striker – listed as questionable with a knee sprain on this week’s injury report – declined to speak to the media Friday.
Berhalter would not confirm that his star forward was healthy, but said earlier in the week he was fine and admitted there had not been any setbacks. Both of the team’s backup forwards – Ola Kamara and Conor Casey – are also questionable.
“We’re going to have to see [who can play],” Berhalter said. “We’re going to have to evaluate. The idea is that we’re going to be all right or at least one of them is going to be all right. We’ll see who that is.”
