Caleb Porter hails Columbus Crew after snapping six-game winless streak
The Columbus Crew snapped their six game winless streak with a 3-0 triumph over D.C. United on Saturday at Lower.com Field as goals from Pedro Santos, Derrick Etienne and Darlington Nagbe propelled the Crew to the much needed three points.
The team also entered the match with a scoreless rut, having failed to find the back of the net in over 360+ minutes of play before Santos stopped the timer with his 28th minute strike.
“It's been a rough couple of weeks in many ways and for our group to stick together, keep fighting – we're back in the race, we're back in the thick of things,” head coach Caleb Porter said postgame.
“I'm glad they get the reward with the result and some goals for their hard work and for sticking together. We have a good group of guys in that locker room and this was an early kind of season test, challenge. A lot of adversity and I thought the guys pulled out of it really well. I think actually we're stronger because of it.”
After missing the postseason last year - finishing one point outside the Eastern Conference seventh place spot - the Crew kicked off their 2022 campaign determined to make it back into the playoffs. They made a promising start, before spiralling into a record of 3-3-3.
Still in fifth place in the Eastern Conference table, the Crew can salvage the season.
“Obviously we needed something to turn around the results that we've been getting lately,” center back Jonathan Mensah said.
“I told the boys before the game we need to have an obsession with winning, we need to have that. And when you have that mentality, obviously we're going into the game with the mindset to win. So kudos to the boys.”
“I hope we reminded the fans today that we've got a very good team and these guys are fighting for each other and fighting for the supporters,” Porter added.
“That's not going to change. Even when we don't get results, we're too experienced. We'll keep a steady hand, we'll keep guys together, we'll keep going, we'll keep fighting.”
The team returns to the pitch on Saturday when visiting the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. With several months left to play, Caleb Porter can still lead the team to their postseason goals.