Homestand key for Crew after struggles on road

Entering the ninth week of the Major League Soccer season, teams across the league can share in their road misery.

There have been 44 home wins and just 14 on the road. Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers lead MLS with two road wins apiece, but 10 teams don't have one.

Asked Wednesday if he could wrap his head around why MLS teams struggle on the road, Crew SC coach Gregg Berhalter was stumped.

“I don’t know,” he said.

He did, however, acknowledge the existence of a significant home-field advantage in MLS.

“I think there is still something that needs to be studied about why teams go on the road and why they’re affected so much. I think that, to me, you’d like to have the same exact mentality about playing at home and on the road, you’d like to be able to dominate the opponent (on the road) as much as you do at home. We just have to keep working.”

With the exception of a 2-0 win at D.C. United in Week 3, Crew SC (4-3-1) has looked like a different team depending on the venue. Away from Mapfre Stadium, the Crew is 1-3-0. At home, it is 3-0-1.

The Crew begins a three-game homestand Saturday against New York City FC with the understanding that an extended stay at home is an opportunity to bolster the team’s point total. Points likely won’t be as easy to come by between May 13 and June 17, when the team plays five out of six games on the road.

“We came off a good win against Toronto and going to New York (Red Bulls) is always going to be tough, but this three-game homestand is huge for us,” defender at Houston L, 3-1 0 at D.C. United W, 2-0 3 at Chicago L, 1-0 0 at N.Y. Red Bulls L, 2-0 0

1-3-0, 3 points (3 GF, 6 GA)

3-0-1, 10 points (8 GF, 4 GA)

Josh Williams said. “It’s huge for us to maintain our position in the standings and also to get some confidence going forward.”

Midfielder Ethan Finlay said travel is a likely reason for the difference between home and road results. While the team has worked to improve its road preparation, he said Crew SC has been better able to take advantage of key moments late in home games to close out wins.

“Winning those gritty moments (at home) has been crucial,” Finlay said. “I think those are the tackles, those are you stop a play before they start to counter. We’ve done a really good job of that this year, taking those opportunities in stride.”

Home games bring a sense of comfort, Berhalter said, but he doesn’t think Mapfre Stadium will be the only place his team can earn points this season.

“I think we’ve done a decent job of getting points. There are 15 other teams that don’t have as many points as we do,” Berhalter said. “What I’d say is we want to win every single game we’re in, whether it’s home or away.”