Massive Scouting Report: Real Esteli
After last week’s draw, what you need to know about Leg 2 in the Champions League
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Photo by Inti Ocon/Getty Images
The Columbus Crew finally returns home on Thursday for the second leg of the Round of 16 CONCACAF Champions League matchup with Real Esteli. The Black & Gold got off to a flying start on the road in Nicaragua with a 4-0 win.
Columbus brings this four goal lead into the second leg match against Esteli. With this lead, Crew head coach Caleb Porter and his staff have a plethora of options in preparation for this match. Let’s take a look at what to expect from Real and what we might see in response from the Black & Gold.
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Columbus Crew is one day away from its home opener against Real Esteli in the CONCACAF Champions League. After the 4-0 win in Nicaragua last week, the Black & Gold are poised to make the Champions League quarterfinals. Wednesday afternoon, head coach Caleb Porter and midfielders Aidan Morris and Artur spoke to the meida to preview the second leg.
Here is a brief summary of the press conference and each person’s thoughts
Caleb Porter
On Darlington Nagbe’s MRI: “He’s doing well. MRI went as good as can be expected. Did a little bit of work today and is doubtful for tomorrow. We will see on Sunday as well.”
Photo courtesy of CONCACF
The Columbus Crew knew the 2021 season would be tough. Not only are the Black & Gold the reigning MLS Cup champions, which puts a target on the team’s back, but winning that title means the Crew is in more competitions than during last year’s run.
Because Columbus knew this heading into the season, president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko and head coach Caleb Porter planned in the offseason for more games and match congestion. They stated the team wanted to put more trophies in the trophy case and prepared by adding more quality depth.
What they didn’t expect was for that depth to be tested so soon.
Americans at home: catching up on Concacaf action
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Before MLS is officially back, Concacaf is back! The Concacaf Champions League kicked off with a round of ubiquitous “tricky fixtures” as pundits who have never watched more than a minute of soccer from El Salvador or wherever will tell MLS fans thirsty for that sweet, sweet, CCL nectar. No, I’m sure they know what they’re talking about.
Anyway, for Portland, Atlanta, Toronto, and Columbus, it was a chance to get some competitive action and ask the question if this is the year we can finally say that MLS is as good as LigaMX, or better than LigaMX, or as good as LigaMX other than the four best teams in LigaMX, or not as good as LigaMX, or that it doesn’t matter because of Christian Pulisic for some reason. Let’s get to it.
It was a picture perfect start and then some for the Columbus Crew to start the 2021 season and its journey in the CONCACAF Champions League. The MLS Cup champions dominated Nicaraguan powerhouse Real Esteli in a 4-0 road win to earn the team’s first true road win in more than a year and virtually seal a spot in the CCL quarterfinals. Columbus scored all of its goals in the first half with Gyasi Zardes netting twice, Pedro Santos scoring a penalty and Jonathan Mensah finishing a rare goal.
The Crew lineup was nearly at full strength with the most notable eye catcher being Derrick Etienne Jr.’s start at right back. First-choice right back Harrison Afful and backup Marlon Hairston were not available as substitutes, leaving Etienne as the choice by head coach Caleb Porter. Young midfielder Aidan Morris once again was selected to start on the big stage with a similar front four (Luis Diaz, Lucas Zelarayan, Pedro Santos and Gyasi Zardes) that played throughout last season.