Columbus - Postmatch

Anybody else totally spoiled by this team at home right now?
Last night I’m completely confident even as its stays 0-0 at minute 70, 75, 78. All i can think is: this is our place, this is our time. It happens. Just wait for it. No worries. This is what we do. We score late and win at home.
Spoiled by being at home and having Lewis on the bench.

I had no doubts we would score once he was subbed on.
 
Spoiled by being at home and having Lewis on the bench.

I had no doubts we would score once he was subbed on.

And the crazy thing is that Lewis has hit the post twice in the past two games in addition to his production.

I remember one moment in last nights game where Lewis just took advantage of a defender sleeping and blew by him on the sideline to receive the ball, literally running half the length of the field.
 
I was nervous in the first half. Turns out it was all for naught, but there were large stretches of the first half where we couldn’t seem to hold possession and the field felt tilted towards SJ. I would be interested to see the xGs for this game because I think a better finishing team could have made it a tighter game. Columbus had plenty of chances, but they took terrible shots.

And I was very happy when Berhalter subbed out Higuain.
True, the first half was a bit sketchy. Felt much better when we got to the half.
Spoiled by being at home and having Lewis on the bench.

I had no doubts we would score once he was subbed on.
Lewis is definitely a big part of it.
 
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True, the first half was a bit sketchy. Felt much better when we got to the half.

Lewis is definitely a big part of it.
Lewis is more than a big part of it, he has rescued wins in two of the matches with game winning assists. We tie RB and Columbus without him because Medina collectively missed about 4 sitters in those matches (not even including the misses vs Montreal) and Maxi can’t score on a breakaway.

Lewis is by far our most dangerous winger/forward for service into the box - whereas others seem to aimlessly cross, he picks his head up and finds a target.
 
Lewis is more than a big part of it, he has rescued wins in two of the matches with game winning assists. We tie RB and Columbus without him because Medina collectively missed about 4 sitters in those matches (not even including the misses vs Montreal) and Maxi can’t score on a breakaway.

Lewis is by far our most dangerous winger/forward for service into the box - whereas others seem to aimlessly cross, he picks his head up and finds a target.

Matarrita and Lewis are terrific at getting the ball into the box. A guy like Kei Kamara would score 20 goals with service from those two.
 
Lewis is more than a big part of it, he has rescued wins in two of the matches with game winning assists. We tie RB and Columbus without him because Medina collectively missed about 4 sitters in those matches (not even including the misses vs Montreal) and Maxi can’t score on a breakaway.

Lewis is by far our most dangerous winger/forward for service into the box - whereas others seem to aimlessly cross, he picks his head up and finds a target.
The reaction to the ball off the post and the two touch to go past the defenders when they were on their heels looked exactly like a move Mbappe pulled earlier in the World Cup. Except Lewis didn’t fire through everyone’s legs. He cut it to a wide open man. Absolute picture of composure.

Not to put down Jack, but he rarely stayed as composed in similar situations. Probably showed it as often in his while time here as Lewis has in last few appearances.

Is there a better super sub in the league right now? I’d say no.

And let’s not overlook Medina. He and Lewis complement each other so well. And his finish was so cool and precise. It made my bells jingle.
 
MLS is not counting the Tinnerholm goal an assist since there was that failed interception by the defender. But yes, a key pass indeed.
Hmm. On the broadcast they said well after the play that he was credited with an assist. Maybe it re-reviewed again, I guess.

Also, that’s the stupidest reason not to give an assist I’ve ever heard. By that logic, they should knock off almost all of them.
 
The reaction to the ball off the post and the two touch to go past the defenders when they were on their heels looked exactly like a move Mbappe pulled earlier in the World Cup. Except Lewis didn’t fire through everyone’s legs. He cut it to a wide open man. Absolute picture of composure.

Not to put down Jack, but he rarely stayed as composed in similar situations. Probably showed it as often in his while time here as Lewis has in last few appearances.

Is there a better super sub in the league right now? I’d say no.

And let’s not overlook Medina. He and Lewis complement each other so well. And his finish was so cool and precise. It made my bells jingle.
Medina has got to finish his sitters. He could have another 3-4 goals this week if he was more lethal. The ball is being served to him perfectly and he’s got to react better.
 
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Ok, how the heck was Jonathan Mensah still on the field after he took down Maxi from behind in the second half? Easy yellow card, and Mensah was already on a yellow. Yes it didn’t end up impacting the end result but would have been a big game changer.
Also, fairly sure Grella lined up someone with a straight red worthy elbow when “contesting” a header.

Villarreal was absolutely garbage.

This refereeing situation has to improve. It’s so, so bad.
 
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The reaction to the ball off the post and the two touch to go past the defenders when they were on their heels looked exactly like a move Mbappe pulled earlier in the World Cup. Except Lewis didn’t fire through everyone’s legs. He cut it to a wide open man. Absolute picture of composure.

Not to put down Jack, but he rarely stayed as composed in similar situations. Probably showed it as often in his while time here as Lewis has in last few appearances.

Is there a better super sub in the league right now? I’d say no.

And let’s not overlook Medina. He and Lewis complement each other so well. And his finish was so cool and precise. It made my bells jingle.
I’ll also be satisfied if Lewis gets called up to the MNT before Altidore every does again. He brings a quality I’m not sure anybody else has in our pool - can extend/beat the defense and deliver probing passes. Who else do we have that can really do that? Maybe Weah but he’s more of a finisher.
 
Also, fairly sure Grella lined up someone with a straight red worthy header.

Villarreal was absolutely garbage.

This refereeing situation has to improve. It’s so, so bad.
Grella deserves to have his kneecap broken for his physical play. Definitely should have been red carded.
 
Matarrita and Lewis are terrific at getting the ball into the box. A guy like Kei Kamara would score 20 goals with service from those two.
Great point. Kei would be a beast with this team. They were hoping Berger could have had a similar presence but so far he has been dissapointing IMO
 
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I’ll also be satisfied if Lewis gets called up to the MNT before Altidore every does again. He brings a quality I’m not sure anybody else has in our pool - can extend/beat the defense and deliver probing passes. Who else do we have that can really do that? Maybe Weah but he’s more of a finisher.
I think Amon is a similar player, but maybe he’s more of a wide forward, similar to Weah.

I used this comparison before, but I think the closest US player is Pulisic.


I’ll stick with the best comparison among worldwide, well-known players being my other one (Mane).

“Hey, defender, come close me down on the sideline.” [kick it or flick it around him and a couple of others]

“Meep, meep” [blazes toward the last defender and gets in on goal]

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Clink! [hits post]
 
Lewis is more than a big part of it....

It happened a couple of times before this week without him playing is all I meant. My confidence in the team's late game success at home didn't grow this strong because of one good week (actually just 2/3 of a good week seeing as I was confident already last night).

March 17 Orlando 0-0 at minute 61. We win 2-0. Lewis DNP.
June 24 Toronto losing 0-1 through 50. We win 2-1. Lewis played 2 minutes after we scored both goals.

Also, June 9 Atlanta. Losing until minute 77. Lewis on field but not involved in the Callens goal to get the draw and a massive shift of 3 points WRT Atlanta. Did he have a part in getting the corner though? I can't remember.
 
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