Columbus Crew

[BuckTwenty]

Another tie at home against the Rapids this weekend, 1-1. Another one of those games we outplayed the other team but couldn't put them away. Connor Casey scored with 8 minutes to go to tie it.

Considering who we were missing and how well they played without those guys, there's reason to be optimistic. Especially since even with only 3 points, we're still only 5 points away from division-leading Chicago.

[BuckTwenty]

Crew finally got their first win over the weekend against a scrappy KC team. Though they're still in last place, only 6 points seperate the worst and first place team in the East. Another win would put them right back in the hunt.

Injuries to a great deal of our best players, bad luck, poor finishing, and bad defense at the end of games kept the Crew winless over their first 7 games. This last game was the first they had the majority of their regulars back (minus GK Hesmer and M Moffat).

Highlights of the KC/Crew showdown from Saturday

Also, sounds like Stern John has Columbus in his plans for the future. Wants to spend 1 more year in England, then come back to MLS (more specifically "Columbus, Ohio"), end his career here, and start a soccer academy here. Can't think of a reason why we wouldn't/couldn't fulfill those dreams for him (barring the possible big bucks he would likely be commanding).

[OHSportsFan9]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

Crew finally got their first win over the weekend against a scrappy KC team. Though they're still in last place, only 6 points seperate the worst and first place team in the East. Another win would put them right back in the hunt.

Injuries to a great deal of our best players, bad luck, poor finishing, and bad defense at the end of games kept the Crew winless over their first 7 games. This last game was the first they had the majority of their regulars back (minus GK Hesmer and M Moffat).

Highlights of the KC/Crew showdown from Saturday

Also, sounds like Stern John has Columbus in his plans for the future. Wants to spend 1 more year in England, then come back to MLS (more specifically "Columbus, Ohio"), end his career here, and start a soccer academy here. Can't think of a reason why we wouldn't/couldn't fulfill those dreams for him (barring the possible big bucks he would likely be commanding).

Stern John was an absolute badass when he played for the Crew. Great scorer. Was one of my first "favorite soccer players" when I was growing up.

I watched the game last night and was impressed, again, with the Crew. Like you've said, just a series of various things that have kept this team winless up until yesterday. They've played better than their record, but they do need to work on finishing games better.

10 year anniversary of Crew Stadium. I was there for the inaugural game (still have the ticket and the ticket holder they gave away).

[BuckTwenty]

Since April 5th, the Crew have quietly gone on a 8-game unbeaten streak and have gone from the cellar to a 4-way tie for 3rd in the eastern conference. Got their first win on the road on Saturday against the Kansas City Wizards. Guillermo Barros Schelotto is tied for the league lead in goals after his brace (2 goals) this weekend with 8 in 12 games. He had 7 last year when he earned league MVP honors.

Injuries are still a concern (Hesmer, Hejduk, Iro, Carroll, and Moffatt, among others), especially in the defense, but the back-ups have really stepped up (Brunner, Zayner, & Gruenbaum especially). Seems like things are finally clicking chemistry wise with these guys. Moreno, Hejduk, & Oughton have been with their respective national teams a lot recently in their quests to qualify for the upcoming World Cup. Marshall earned a red card in his last game too, so we won't have our best defender either when we play the best team in the league (Chivas USA) at home this Sunday. Hoping we can get some of these guys healthy here in the next couple of weeks.

Anyone going to the game this weekend? I'll be there!

[BuckTwenty]

The Crew just knocked off the #1 team in the league thus far, Chivas USA 2-1 at home this afternoon. Two more goals for Guille, which brings him to a league-leading 10 goals. Columbus is still tied for third in the East, but are within 3 points of 1st place DC United.

Chivas was lucky this game wasn't worse. There were 2-3 possible penalty kicks that went uncalled during the game.

[BuckTwenty]

Noonan Ends 10-Month Stint with Crew -- MLSnet.com

Crew trades M/F Pat Noonan to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Colorado's 2010 1st round pick and allocation money. Basically, trading him for what the Crew traded for him last year to get his rights from New England.

Pat was a great soldier, a great person to have in your locker room, and a great insurance policy for Guillermo, but his salary was too great for him to sit on the bench. Looks like the Crew is setting up for signing a nice new player with Noonan's 175k off the books and allocation money. Gonna be a lot more speculation leading up to this signing...

[BuckTwenty]

Columbus beat the New York Red Bulls 1-0 at home this weekend off of a great header by Chad Marshall, just before halftime off of a corner kick by Guille. The Crew are now tied for 2nd place in the East, 1 point behind division leading DC United. The game FINALLY saw the return of D Frankie Hejduk and GK Will Hesmer from injury, so we finally have some relief on our backline.

Go Crew!!

[BuckTwenty]

The Crew tied the Chicago Fire 0-0 this weekend in a game where neither team could finish. Moreno, Rodgers, & Marshall were all out with their respective national teams for the game, but that is no excuse for the poor offensive performances over the past 4 games (1 goal total during those games). Something's gotta change there.

MLS just released the names of the starters for the All-Star game at the end of the month who will be facing Everton. Both Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Chad Marshall will be starting the game. Reserves have not yet been named. Congrats to Guille and Chad!! VERY much deserved for how they've played this year.

[jimotis4heisman]

The Columbus Dispatch : Obama welcomes Crew to White House
crew meet the president obama. couple of good jokes out of him and congratulated the crew for their off the field volunteer work also

...
But while he might not follow professional soccer as ardently as some sports, "I see my daughters love playing this game of soccer and we know that this is an exciting time for soccer in America," Obama said, citing the recent run by the U.S. national team to the finals of the Confederations Cup in South Africa. "It is clear that soccer in America is on the rise and that MLS is a big part of that."
Obama also lauded the Crew for the team's public-service commitment, recounting that Crew players recently helped clean up neighborhoods near Crew Stadium. Obama noted that after the White House ceremony the team - along with eight Columbus students who belong to the Near East Inner City Youth Soccer Program - will meet with Washington school children at a local school here to participate in a clinic stressing education, reading and the importance of staying in school.
...

[BuckTwenty]

Crewture -- "Crew to Sign Chilean Defensive Midfielder Claudio Maldonado?"

7/8/09

Sounds as though the Crew are very interested in possibly signing 29-year old Caludio Maldonado, the captain of Chile's national team. The thought is that he would be a great step-in in the middle of the park for the injured Adam Moffat and would be an amazing pairing with Brian Carroll.

Considering how much trouble the Crew has had on offense as of late, this news is pretty surprising, especially considering we would basically be replacing an talented extra midfielder for another talanted midfielder. Regardless though, he would be a great get. I'd still like to see them go after a striker like Omar Cummings (Colorado).

[BuckTwenty]

MLSnet.com -- "DC United Acquire Danny Szetela via Allocation Draft"

Former Crew midfielder Danny Szetela was drafted by United, who held the #2 allocation slot and used it. Szetela spent the last 2 years in Spain & Italy, and decided to come back to the states.The Crew originally received Szetela and Robbie Rodgers through the allocation "lottery" a few years back when the Crew was struggling (and had a lot of ping pong balls in the hopper).

Good luck to Danny! No jeers from me when he steps on the pitch for DC.

[osuteke]

Is there no vbookie for MLS? I think LA was on tap for making a run. Bekswifeshastheworstfake[censored]ever might have made them put it over the edge. He sure looks indifferent.

[OHSportsFan9]

All 3 LA goals last night were top class.

3 one-time volleys. Lando with a goal and assist.

@ Beckham's work rate. Guy just mails it in when he plays over here.

On topic- Crew kept their head above water early and are back in good position. Even with guys missing a ton of time (injuries, international duties), they are playing pretty well at this stage.

GBS for MVP! He's in another class compared to 99% of MLS players. Joy to watch.

[BuckTwenty]

Originally Posted by OHSportsFan9

On topic- Crew kept their head above water early and are back in good position. Even with guys missing a ton of time (injuries, international duties), they are playing pretty well at this stage.

GBS for MVP! He's in another class compared to 99% of MLS players. Joy to watch.

Speaking of playing well despite guys missing a ton of time, the Crew were missing starters Guillermo (injured), Moreno (injured), Moffat (injured), Ekpo (yellow card accumulation), Marshall (U.S. MNT/Gold Cup), & Rogers (U.S. MNT/Gold Cup) and STILL beat Real Salt Lake 3-1 here at home this weekend. Goals were by Lenhart & Garey (x2). Garey's 2nd was a beautiful textbook 3-way give-and-go with Oughton and Lenhart, and is up for Goal of the Week on MLSnet.com. Just FYI, Salt Lake pounded us earlier in the season 4-1, which shows how far this team has come this year. Crew is now 1 point out of first place in the East.

Last week, the question was posed to Shep Messing on MLS Extratime where would Guillermo be ranked in MLS history as a player, and he said he'd be in the top 3-4 players all-time right now. Special, special player. With the win this weekend, the Crew now has the all-time MLS record for the unbeaten home streak, which dates back to last year. Not possible without Guille.

Becks had quite a weekend too. Got into it with a fan ON FILM just before halftime in their game against AC Milan (the team Beckham was loaned to). The Guardian has the story and the film here.

[CookyPuss]

Yes we can, head it!