Switching to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals didn't help the Crew end a losing streak that grew to four straight defeats across all competitions after a 2-0 loss to Club América on Aug. 27 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Despite applying offensive pressure for much of the first half and in spurts during the second half, the Crew couldn't get a shot past Club América goalkeeper Rodolpho Cota in a frustrating night played at the home of the L.A. Galaxy. Combined with Austin FC's loss to Toluca on Aug. 27, the Crew's loss gave Liga MX teams all four spots in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
Once again for the Crew, who've been quite active with roster turnover during the summer transfer window, they leave a tough matchup with reasons to feel good about themselves while swallowing the bitterness of another loss.
"The roster is in two in the sense that some of them have accomplished so much, and they want to bring back that dynamic of a [winning] result that we used to have," Crew interim coach Laurent Courtois said. "So, they’re not satisfied with all the positiveness, and that’s how it should be. The other half, I’d say, means so well and they know they need to learn the system, the model and get the fitness back, but they’re also aware of what we’re lacking a little bit, and what we’re building. So, yes, there’s tons of positive, but there’s also this internal rage, like ... we were this close today, right?"
Club America built a 2-0 lead at the half on goals by attacking midfielders Raphael Veiga in the 11th minute and Brian Rodriguez six minutes into stoppage time. Rodriguez assisted on the goal by Veiga, who returned the favor for Rodriguez shortly before the half ended.
About six minutes before Rodriguez's goal, Crew forward Brais Mendez was stopped cold by Cota on a penalty kick that could've tied it 1-1 in the 40th minute. It was one of several highlights for Cota, who finished with eight saves for a shutout in a game the Crew put eight of 18 shots on target and generated a sizable edge of 3.2 to 1.9 in expected goals.
Cota made two other highlight worthy stops in the first half against recently signed Crew forward Josef Martinez, a former MVP of the MLS who made his first start for Columbus, and Club America also got help from the left goal post to prevent Cesar Ruvalcaba from tying it off a corner kick in the 18th minute.
Martinez also missed wide off a good look in the second half, as the Crew's frustration mounted. The second half also included Courtois subbing recently acquired defender Eric Bailly and forward Gonzalo Tapia into the game for their Crew debuts.
Next up for the Crew is a return to MLS play Aug. 30 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field against the New England Revolution, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew fall to Club América 2-0 in Leagues Cup quarterfinal
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