Crew beats San Jose in return to Columbus , three things from the win on Saturday

119 minutes played, zero goals. That's where things stood for the Crew before finally breaking through in the 29th minute. In true fashion for Columbus, it would have to be the team's starting center back to get them back in the books. Sean Zawadzki was the one to finally break through and get the scoring back on track on a well played ball in from a free kick by Diego Rossi. This lead wouldn't last too long though as Josef Martinez equalized on a perfectly weighted chip over Patrick Schulte to draw level in the 39th minute. Max Arfsten ended up playing the hero and scoring the game winner in the 61st minute on a rapid attack led by AZ Jackson. It was a fairly chaotic game and the Crew were not particularly sharp, registering a pass percentage of only 83%, compared to their season average of 88%, which is good for third overall in the league (behind San Diego and LA Galaxy). A win is a win however, and this goes to show that even in a sloppy game Columbus can still find ways to escape with three points defending their fortress. Overall it's a very encouraging sign, below are three things I took away from the game:

Best finishers are....not forwards?

- Diego Rossi is the team leader in goals with 5 (4 of them coming in two games).

-Jacen Russell-Rowe is second on the team with 3 (2 of those came in the first two games, he's scored one goal in the last 8 matches)

Is this where things are for this team right now? A goal from a center back and a left midfielder carrying us to big wins at home? Listen, I'm not complaining so long as someone on the team is finishing, but it just has a feel at some point we will need more out of our strikers. Sean Zawadzki showed heart and a nose for goal as he found himself as the last hope for a searching Rossi free kick swung in with pace. He's the teams current center back, who was the other player who flashed through with effort on that same free kick? Stephen Morieira, the team's starting right center back. We all knew the Crew would have to be creative in finding goals from different positions coming into this season, but surely two of our biggest threats on an inswinging ball in from a free kick can't be undersized center backs right? I'll have grace for the fact the ball was played far post and most often you'd have either an outside back or outside midfielder handle that responsibility, I'm just highlighting the fact that two players that showed real desire to score the goal were both center backs. It's not a hot take to say the Crew need a striker that possesses the courage, confidence and the desire to score and I remain confident we'll find that in the summer window. To highlight the scoring issues further, Columbus has an expected goal number of over 17 goals, they've scored 13 goals on the season, this is....not good. Diego Rossi played admirably on Saturday and over the last few matches has shown his abilities when it comes to ball control, passing and quickness, he's not built to be this team's leading goal scorer. His role is much better served as a setup player who can rack up assists playing off of a true number 9 who lives off scoring goals.

Max Arfsten and Jacen Russell-Rowe, a tale of different trajectories

I was big on Jacen Russell-Rowe coming into the season having a unique opportunity to become the leading goal scorer, playing as the nine on a team that plays a system which creates a ton of chances. He started the season and proved hopeful right from the start scoring in his first two matches. Then something changed, teams started playing him more physically, keying on him as a threat, as a result he's managed only one goal in the last 8 matches. When a player is going through struggles, body language is a big indicator of where they're at mentally and right now it feels like Russell-Rowe is down on himself. Against Miami he had a decent half-chance atop the box and uncharacteristically blew it 10 yards over the net. This past Saturday at home against San Jose, he found himself in a good spot heading toward the net with space to setup whatever shot he wanted, but his second touch failed him leading him to force a weak-footed shot that landed in the Nordecke. Coach Nancy sticks to his words that Russell-Rowe is the teams best finisher and I can absoltuely believe that, we've seen it. He has the ability to finish from anywhere around the box, even with someone on his hip, he has a natural gift to score goals and make it look easy. Right now he's not playing with confidence, he seems in his own head and it feels like he has doubts creeping in which is then leading him to overthink and overshoot. He's forcing it instead of letting the game the game come to him and letting instinct take over. I believe this is only temporary, and I have all the faith coach Nancy will get him right by midseason, but for now maybe he needs a game or two off to re-focus. Only problem is, who else will play the nine? It seems like he will have to play himself out of this rut and get back to the player we all know he can be, he's still very young and this is part of his growth opportunity.

On the opposite end of this spectrum is Max Arfsten. A player who saw an opportunity to take a chunk of the offensive production and tried a bit too hard to prove he can do it. Now is a different story for the 24 year old outside midfielder/winger. In my mind he played arguably his best game of the season this past Saturday against San Jose. His willingness and effort to get back to support his left side-mate Malte Admunsen and then spring into the attack effortlessly has become a keystone to his success. Arfsten's level of effort is perfect for what coach Nancy demands of his players, which is why he's earned himself an everyday starter role in the XI. There are intricacies in his game that you can tell he's spent time on and he's showing a desire to work on his craft and improve. First, his strength on the ball is markedly better than last year, against Miami this was on display as he held off two defenders on his hip to still fire off a shot. That sticks out because of recency bias, but there are plenty of examples of Arfsten being able to hold off pressure while maintaining control as he looks for channels to play the ball. Second, I've noticed in attending the home games he's typically one of, if not the, last players off the field in warm-ups before games and he's usually working on his right foot finishing from distance on a curler. This communicates to me he aspires to take people on and have the ability to cut inside and finish with his weak foot proficiently. We've yet to see this come to fruition, but the mere fact he's working so hard on it tells me at some point it will pay off. We all know he has the desire and ability to take players one-on-one with what is becoming his trademark stepover, but this finish from Saturday against San Jose felt different. It was the second time of the game trying to finish from a tough angle driving toward the near post (the first one missed wide on the opposite side) and instead of hanging his head after the miss he stuck with it because he is confident, sure enough he sent a rocket near post to which the keeper was left painting a picture wondering where the ball went. Arfsten is a very dynamic, quick-footed player who's now playing with confidence and belief. He seems ready and primed to elevate his game to the next level, I'm excited for what the rest of the season holds for him.

Daniel Gazdag growing into the team

In his second start for the Black and Gold Daniel Gazdag is already looking more comfortable with his surroundings. In a fight against perception after what would many have called a less than admirable debut in Cleveland, Gazdag responded in a very professional, positive way on Saturday against San Jose. He's getting a better read on the kinds of runs players will make off of him and where they'll be, which was evidenced by his flick on leave to Russell-Rowe for a scoring chance. While yet to open his account for the Crew I can tell he's growing much more comfortable and his chance will be coming. He's so good at finding the space in the back line, putting himself in dangerous spots being a threat toward goal. If Rossi didn't have his head down going to goal on his weak foot only to hit the post a second time, he would've seen Gazdag standing by himself ready for an A+ chance at goal seven yards away. Trust still has to be built with the players on the team, but from the game against San Jose I saw two specific circumstances he put himself in position to score a tap-in. One was the Russell-Rowe miss where he laid it off, then ran into a wide-open position to receive or shoot one-time if he were to get the ball back. Another was while Rossi was dribbling at goal, he vacated the space and found himself wide open on the back post, unfortunately Rossi had a one-track mind at that point. As the team watches tape and understands the type of player he is they will be more willing in those instances, which will open up so many scoring opportunities. Daniel Gazdag has a very high soccer IQ and this system is one he can absolutely flourish in. He shows a willingness toward goal and a technical ability that has already flashed, making him potentially the second best technical player on the team (behind Nagbe). Him and Rossi need to figure it out though and that will be the question. Trust, that's what needs to be established between those two players. From what I've seen Rossi needs to trust Gazdag to be able to score, if they can develop a relationship they both will see their name in the score sheet a lot, especially in this system.

A great home win on Saturday for the Crew against a team that stands as tied for the highest-scoring in the league. With all there is to pick apart, one thing they keep doing is getting results. They will look to continue to impress this upcoming Saturday, May 3 at home against a very tough Charlotte team sitting only two points behind the Crew.