Gregg Berhalter has had time to instill his style into the Columbus Crew players. It is why the sum of the parts is often greater than the individual quality of the players. The players understand what is asked of them innately and can thereby execute efficiently and cohesively.
One of the primary characteristics of Berhalter’s style is the use of the full backs, this season the dynamic pair, Harrison Afful and Milton Valenzuela.
Berhalter asks his full backs to push extremely high up the pitch. He wants them to overlap the winger in front of them, get to the byline as frequently as possible and the whip crosses into the box.