Trotting down the left flank, Ola Kamara saw Wil Trapp win the header at midfield and, in his mind’s eye, connected the next two passes before they were made Saturday night in first-half stoppage time.
Winger Justin Meram played through to Mohammed Saeid prompting Kamara to begin his diagonal run toward the top of the 18-yard box. The Crew SC striker split two Orlando City FC defenders just as Saeid released the ball. The flawlessly timed run put Kamara in alone on the goalkeeper, who was forced to trip him resulting in a penalty kick.
The Norwegian converted for his 10 th goal in 14 games.
“It’s about recognizing his triggers,” coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter said. “When does he start his movement? He’s good at that. Other guys aren’t patient enough to wait for that. We define these triggers, but he’s clever enough to understand how to pick them up.”
To the untrained eye, it’s hard to appreciate how the MLS newcomer keeps getting behind defenses and into pockets of space. None of it's by accident. The 26-year-old Kamara has spent 10 seasons as a pro learning the intricacies and nuances of the game.
The dude times runs better than Omega.
Through 14 games, he’s been offside just 13 times – or 1.207 per 90 minutes. He’s tied for fourth in MLS scoring despite playing at least four fewer games than the leaders.
“The running is the thing I have been best at my entire career,” said Kamara, who signed with the Crew after playing last year with Molde, a top-flight side in Norway. “The guys (here) are playing me at the right time.”
Kamara is a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Crew (3-7-10). The club has won only once in which he’s scored, going 1-3-3 in that span.
He isn’t the fastest, biggest or strongest player, but keeps generating chances with his non-stop movement and sense of timing.
On Friday afternoon in Obetz, the affable Kamara was at first hesitant to discuss the subject.
“I don’t want to jinx it,” the 6-foot, 181-pounder said smiling.
Moments later, he explained how he views a buildup.
“I am trying to see two or three passes before,” he said. “The ball is going to go there and it’s probably going to come there. Then, I can run. So you are preparing it early.”
Kamara is not only a player, he’s a student of the game. He’s up early on weekends watching matches from Europe. He’s a fan of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge who, when healthy, is a fine finisher and another forward who relies on excellent timing.
“Sturridge is a fantastic player,” Kamara said. “He’s very quick, but he’s also very smooth. I like his movements a lot.”
Berhalter doesn’t mind his strikers occasionally going offside. It keeps defenders on their back foot and guessing. He also appreciates players who time their runs well. The coach said former Juventus and A.C. Milan forward Filippo Inzaghi is the best he’s seen in that category.
Unlike former Crew striker Kei Kamara, Ola doesn’t excel in the air. He wants the ball at his feet, which makes the timing of runs even more important.
“He lets the play develop,” Crew winger Ethan Finlay said. “He sees the game well from the midfield and that gives him the ability to read it as it gets to him going forward.
“He also has good movement running the line. He’s never standing still, he’s always off the back shoulder of the defender. He does a good job of hiding himself. He can get behind you or cut in front of you.”
Kamara is excited about the return of playmaker Federico Higuain. The Crew, desperate for wins, hopes the pair can form a prolific partnership.
“Pipa is a fantastic maestro,” Kamara said. “He can see those small pockets (of space) and that’s how I play. It’s perfect to get him back and it’s great for the team.”
Couple other quick notes from Friday’s training:
--- Berhalter didn’t commit to starting Higuain on Sunday in Toronto. The 31-year-old played a dynamic 20-plus minutes last weekend in his first game back from hernia surgery. It might be a case of easing him back in the lineup with an upcoming bye week.
--- Newly-acquired center back Nicolai Naess has not yet returned from Norway after going home to pick up his work visa.
--- The club placed midfielder Ben Swanson on the season-ending injury list. He had shoulder surgery earlier in the week.
--- The transfer window closes Wednesday night at 11:59 p.m.
--- The Crew will practice Saturday afternoon before flying to Toronto. We’ll have a post-practice update.
Twitter: @treed1919