While midfielder Ben Olsen’s departure two weeks ago for the U.S. national team and World Cup thinned D.C. United’s midfield, his absence, combined with the plethora of attacking players at head coach Peter Nowak’s disposal on Saturday at Columbus, resulted in a starting 11 more offensive than any this season.
Forward Lucio Filomeno, who scored twice in last week’s reserve match, was the latest addition and started in midfield just behind forwards Jaime Moreno and Alecko Eskandarian, and attack-minded midfielders Freddy Adu and Christian Gomez. No more than four of this group had started together in any previous match.
“[Filomeno] is familiar with the position, and I think he gives us options also to go forward from this position,” said Nowak. “To have this kind of option shows that we have depth and everyone is important to this team. For us to be unpredictable is the main reason, the way we play.”
The game took on a frantic pace as a result, and it contributed to United’s numerous offensive chances (17 shots). It also, however, may have played a part in the space that opened up for Crew counterattacks and a 1-1 draw. But those forays were limited to the first half.
Columbus forward Joseph Ngwenya capitalized on that space for the game’s first goal, but was not as effective in the second half against D.C. midfielder Josh Gros, who showed superior fitness and got strong help from the United back line. Columbus finished the game with just three shots, only one after halftime.
