Discover Columbus’ Major Obstacle, Miami’s Messi Dazzle Fades, and Other Highlights from Week 37

The penultimate matchday of the season is officially over, with only a few scattered matches remaining before Decision Day. Unfortunately, this also means that it’s time for the final Sunday wrap-up column of the year. Don’t worry though, I’ll be back with post-mortems for all 29 teams over the next two months, along with Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs previews and analysis (we can’t forget about the tiers!).

Well, that was quite a clash between Columbus and Atlanta. Columbus really dominated the game, outshooting Atlanta 22-10 and generating 2.15 expected goals compared to Atlanta’s 1.12. They also had 29 touches in Atlanta’s box while only conceding 11 in their own. However, despite all that, the game ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw. It’s a solid point on the road, but it’s definitely disappointing to give up the win like that. This seems to be a recurring issue for Columbus, and it has sparked some conversation about their playing style. The general consensus is that they’re too open and always on the attack, which leaves them vulnerable in the final 15 minutes when they should be more focused on protecting the lead.

But personally, I don’t agree with that consensus. I think adopting a more defensive approach would be a losing strategy for this group. Their weakness lies in defending in the box, and their young goalkeeper, Patrick Schulte, still struggles with commanding his area. In fact, in this particular game, Columbus did try to close up shop and secure the lead, but as you can see from the possession chart, it heavily skewed in Atlanta’s favor in the final 20 minutes. Teams like Nashville can afford to do that because they excel at defending and preventing opponents from turning possession into chances. Columbus, on the other hand, doesn’t have that luxury. They have players like Kevin Molino defending far from goal and a mismatch in marking Miles Robinson. It’s clear that this defensive strategy doesn’t suit them.

Now, let’s shift our focus to Atlanta. Head coach Gonzalo Pineda praised his team’s fight and spirit, and rightfully so. However, this week has shown that there is a significant gap between Atlanta and the top four teams in the East. They certainly have the talent to bridge that gap, but it seems like they’ll have to do it mostly on the road.

As for Inter Miami, their hopes for a miraculous push into the playoffs were finally extinguished. Even the presence of Lionel Messi for 35 minutes couldn’t change the inevitable as they fell 1-0 to FC Cincinnati. This result was a fair reflection of the game, as Miami struggled to break through Cincinnati’s defense. Head coach Gerardo Martino acknowledged that they had a good first half but failed to capitalize on their chances. This has been a recurring issue for Miami over the past month, as they’ve struggled to convert possession and final third entries into quality chances inside the box.

On the other hand, this game showcased why Cincinnati is a force to be reckoned with. They may not have looked like Supporters’ Shield winners when they had the ball, but their defensive prowess kept Miami at bay for 45 minutes. They came out of halftime rejuvenated and managed to secure a deserved late winner. This victory also marks their 20th win of the season, putting them in an elite group of only three other MLS teams to achieve this feat.

However, despite the win, Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan remains focused on the playoffs and acknowledged that they can’t expect to win games with performances like this. He emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in their ball possession and ability to play the game. Defensively, he believes in the strength of his team, but they need to address the areas where they are weak. With some time before their next match, they have an opportunity to analyze the past week and make necessary adjustments.

And with that, we wrap up another eventful week in MLS. Stay tuned for more post-match analyses, playoff previews, and all the exciting action that awaits us in the playoffs.

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Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.