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Columbus Crew: Loss to Orlando City illustrated lack of defensive depth

Jacob Myers
The Columbus Dispatch

The Crew (7-10-6, 27 points) will soon be as close to full strength as they’re going to get the rest of the season. It won’t be long before all six starters missing from the lineup should be at full fitness, barring any setbacks. 

That inevitably means there will be fewer minutes available for the players who received more playing time due to injuries and international call-ups. But Miguel Berry seized his opportunity and will continue to be rewarded with playing time. 

"I think a few guys have been handed jobs because of the injuries and not had to earn them,” coach Caleb Porter said. “Six, seven guys I feel really good about, but we need to get healthy, we need to get some more quality into the team, and fortunately we're going to have that next week.”

Takeaways:Crew make similar costly defensive mistakes vs. Orlando City

Center back Josh Williams immediately improved the defense as he returned for his first game since June 19 in the 54th minute, and winger Luis Diaz and striker Gyasi Zardes should be available at least off the bench next week. Left back Milton Valenzuela might also be available off the bench. 

Columbus Crew center back Josh Williams entered the game against Orlando City in the second half for his first action since June 19.

Midfielder Liam Fraser will return from international duty as will center back and captain Jonathan Mensah. However, Porter said Mensah will have to quarantine for five days and miss next week’s pivotal game at Inter Miami.

Players returning from international duty who are vaccinated against COVID-19 do not have to quarantine, according to Major League Soccer's health and safety protocols. 

Center back Aboubacar Keita really struggled, as did Vito Wormgoor at times during the Crew's 3-2 loss to Orlando City, though Porter liked Wormgoor's overall performance.

As a result, Wormgoor will soon be the third-choice center back behind Williams and Mensah, and Keita could spend the rest of the season on the bench. Waylon Francis will likely still play some to avoid Valenzuela picking up another injury, but there’s a clear dip in quality between the two. 

Other second-choice players — wingers Derrick Etienne Jr. and Alex Matan, midfielders Marlon Hairston (returning in a week or two from injury) and Fraser — have mostly played well when given the chance, nobody has done more to boost his chances of getting playing time than Berry. 

"If you're producing, you're going to get an opportunity. Caleb's going to play you. Miggy's a perfect example of that,” Williams said. “That guy's fought his ass off all year and now he's reaping the rewards of that." 

Miguel Berry, seen here battling with Orlando City's Joey DeZart, has four goals in 265 minutes and three goals in the past two games for the Columbus Crew.

Porter said Berry has been one of the most productive players for the Crew recently, with four goals in 265 minutes and three goals in the past two games. He has worked his way into the rotation and sees a window opening for the team to climb back above the playoff line with starters returning. 

"It's a massive lift,” said Berry. “Getting those guys back is of course going to help, but whoever plays inside those lines, those 11 guys need to bring it every game.” 

Getting Williams and his leadership back on the field in the second half was enough evidence to show what can happen when the Crew gets healthy starting next game. But not taking their foot off the pedal after scoring the tying goal is an area where everyone has to improve. 

“It's almost like we back off and it's like, 'OK, we can't blow this.' That can't happen. That's not a championship team,’ Williams said. “There's nothing a coach can say. That's on the players in between the lines. We got to find a way to fix that.” 

jmyers@dispatch.com

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