Columbus Crew defender Michael Parkhurst stated that he was left extremely disappointed with Chicago Fire managing a very late equaliser in the recent 2-2 draw between the two teams.
It looked like the home team were heading for three easy points after managing to open a two-goal advantage after the 55th minute. Kei Kamara had scored both goals in the match up until that point, but the game was made one-sided towards the end after Chicago Fire made some crucial changes that resulted in the team getting a point.Parkhurst then revealed that Columbus should have been far more clinical in attack from here on.
The game could have been very different had Columbus taken advantage of the several counter-attacking opportunities that would have seen the score go to 3-1 rather than 2-2. Even though they have taken a point that keeps them with other teams like New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, this appears to have given the Columbus players a sense of defeat. Gregg Berhalter said after the defeat that the players were devastated that a game that seemed close to being three points resulted in a draw. Midfielder Justin Meram said that Columbus tried to control the threat from Chicago but they were simply unable to deal with the long balls that came their way.
“They’re disappointed; heads were down in the locker room. But it’s normal. It was the 94th minute that we conceded a goal. So you’re expecting three points at that stage and you come out with one, so of course it’s disappointing,” said the coach. “That’s what happens when you have chances and don’t put a team away, I guess. They were there, we just have to finish. They did a good job of creating pressure, but in that situation we need to make it 3-1,” said Meram.