Most of the talk is about Struber right now but I thought there were a few plays that really highlighted where, on an individual level, our players are not up for MLS-quality attacking play. Links to video in the min markers below
44th Min - Clark receives the ball with time in the middle of the field and has Klimala making a run into acres of space behind the Columbus defense. He plays it too close to the one remaining defender in a position to make a play, and the attack is dead.
Once A Metro noted in their tactical preview that this is exactly the kind of run Klimala likes to make from this position. Clark should have ready and able to execute better here.
48th Min - Tolkin forces an excellent turnover in the middle of the field and has a 3v2 break the other way. With Omir wide open for a one touch finish, Tolkin makes the inexplicable decision to try and beat his defender 1v1 and doesn't even come close. Now I get it, I'm not sure I'd pass it to Omir if he was standing on the goal line for a tap in, but it still goes to show the immaturity in decision making from our young squad.
61st Min - Clark again finds himself with the ball, time, and space in the middle of the field. Klimala is making the
exact same run that he did earlier and Clark sees him the entire way. He has about 35 yards of space to play the ball into, and somehow manages to overhit it over the end line.
With the 2015-2018 team, I fully believe the Red Bulls have 2 or possibly 3 goals out of these chances, and the game is put away before Columbus has a chance to muster up a late-game resurgence. Clark is not a #10, never has been and any expectations for him to be the one to carry our midfield were unfounded.
All that said, I think we finally got a game out of Klimala that showed signs of hope. Scored a non-penalty goal, took an excellent volley to almost score a second, and moved much sharper off the ball.