Columbus Crew coach Caleb Porter has a problem, although having to decide which quality forward to start Saturday on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes is not one he is about to complain about.
Miguel Berry, who scored eight goals in limited time last season as a rookie, got the nod over U.S. National Team mainstay Gyasi Zardes in the season opener.
Berry scored eight minutes into the opener as the Crew (1-0-0, 3 points) ran away with a 4-0 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps, but Porter has not indicated who will be in the starting 11 vs. the Earthquakes (0-1-0, 0 points).
“Gyasi will still start some games because he’s a very good player,” Porter said. “But I’d be silly to not play this kid, Miguel Berry, a lot of minutes this year.”
Berry, who was born in Spain and grew up in the San Diego area, was fourth in MLS in goals per 90 minutes (0.86) last season.
When Zardes was out the final month of the 2021 season with a knee injury, Berry stepped in and scored three goals with one assist in four games as Columbus went 3-0-1.
Winger Derrick Etienne Jr. said Berry has traits similar to Zardes.
“It’s almost like playing with Gyasi,” he said. “They make it so easy for us. They’re selfless and they’ll do the dirty things most No. 9s don’t want to do.”
San Jose’s lone goal in a 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls was off a header by Javier Lopez as the Earthquakes integrated several newcomers, including midfielder Jamiro Monteiro. He was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia on Feb. 14.
“I had already felt comfortable, the guys welcomed me very well,” Monteiro said. “I am happy that I played my first game for San Jose. Disappointed that we didn’t get the three points, but we have a long season.”
San Jose coach Matias Almeyda has asked for patience.
“Surely as time goes on, the better they will look just as well as the rest of the team,” Almeyda said.
The Earthquakes have opened a season with consecutive losses once since 2009. In 2019, they lost their first four games.
–Field Level Media
