Columbus Crew

[jlb1705]

Ihemulu of Colorado sent off with his second yellow - 84th minute.

[jlb1705]

The Crew make Marshall's goal hold up, get three points on the road in Colorado.

I was pleased to see the way the Crew played a decent amount of the second half in the attacking end. I haven't really followed the Crew since the days when Andrulis was the manager, and I was constantly frustrated with the way the Crew played entirely in their own end when they had the lead. That was certainly no way to keep the lead, and often times they didn't when I watched back then. I'm glad to see that's changed.

[BuckTwenty]

Originally Posted by jlb1705

The Crew make Marshall's goal hold up, get three points on the road in Colorado.

I was pleased to see the way the Crew played a decent amount of the second half in the attacking end. I haven't really followed the Crew since the days when Andrulis was the manager, and I was constantly frustrated with the way the Crew played entirely in their own end when they had the lead. That was certainly no way to keep the lead, and often times they didn't when I watched back then. I'm glad to see that's changed.

I was really happy with the defense the Crew played all night. Colorado could NOT play a ball on the floor to save their life last night. They're only way to attack was to play a long ball over the top because the Crew were shutting down the passing lanes on their side of the pitch. Well-deserved shut out.

'Twas frustrating to watch us at times on offense, but Guillermo should be back soon. As in he probably could have played yesterday as a sub type of soon. Have you seen Guille play yet, jlb? He's a fun one to watch

[jlb1705]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

I was really happy with the defense the Crew played all night. Colorado could NOT play a ball on the floor to save their life last night. They're only way to attack was to play a long ball over the top because the Crew were shutting down the passing lanes on their side of the pitch. Well-deserved shut out.

'Twas frustrating to watch us at times on offense, but Guillermo should be back soon. As in he probably could have played yesterday as a sub type of soon.

No Hejduk last night either, which takes something away from the attack.

[BuckTwenty]

Yeah. The Crew's been battling injuries all year. Luckily, we've had a host of back-ups really step up HUGE. Brunner, Oughton, Garey, Zayner, Ekpo, Lenhart, Iro... no team in MLS has had back-ups play so much and so well.

[BuckTwenty]

After one of the more boring first halves I've ever witnessed, the Crew made some switches around the 60th minute and turned on the jets for a 3-0 shutout win over San Jose in San Francisco's Candlestick Park. Robbie Rodgers and Adam Moffat both recorded their firsts of the season and Alejandro Moreno scored his 4th of the year. The Crew now lead the MLS with 36 points and are hitting on all cylinders. Houston are 1 point back and have a game tonight vs Chicago that could change that though, and Chicago still has two games to play to catch up, but are 4 points back.

Highlights of the Crew vs San Jose

Considering this team was again without Guillermo and Hejduk and still had a result like this on the road... man. We're good. Houston's really the only other team that I think can hang with these guys in the playoffs, though a resurging LA Galaxy certainly has the talent to do big things. If they can get some real chemistry going, watch out.

[Emperor Brutus]

BTW if you do want tickets with the rowdy fans it’s best to get them through Kevin at kmmc@crewunion.com or Blake at hshcrew@gmail.com.

[Emperor Brutus]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

Considering this team was again without Guillermo and Hejduk and still had a result like this on the road... man. We're good. Houston's really the only other team that I think can hang with these guys in the playoffs, though a resurging LA Galaxy certainly has the talent to do big things. If they can get some real chemistry going, watch out.

GBS will likely play against Dallas, then sit again against New York (field turf) I doubt Robert starts him against Puerto Rico in Champions league, though he might depending on how hard he thinks it?ll be to break their bunker. I think we should be able to break it in the opening 30, if we can they'll have to come out of their shell and that game should break wide open even without GBS. I think Robert should and will save him for the playoff run and teams like Saprissa and Cruz Azul.

Frankie I?m a little worried about, early in the season I thought it was just over use between club and country duty but he?s had reaggravated injuries from sore muscles multiple times this season. I guess Frankie is actually getting old.

[BuckTwenty]

Another home game, another win. 2-0 over FC Dallas in Columbus. The Crew have not only improved their MLS-record home unbeaten streak to a staggering 20 straight games, but also are riding a 5-game winning streak and a 3-game shutout streak. Columbus is still 4 points clear of 2nd place Chicago in the East and are now tied for the best record in the league with Houston, with Columbus having a game in-hand.

Dallas at Columbus Highlights

Marshall had a nice header to start the scoring in the 10th minute off of a corner kick by Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven had an AMAZING run that started in the Crew's end of the field and ended with him slotting the ball past Dario Sala. Gaven's golazo is up for MLS Goal of the Week and looks to be the early favorite to win it this week (you can vote for it there in the link, if you'd like). Marshall was named MLS Player of the Week for his game-winning goal, assist on Gaven's stunner, and the shutout he helped pitch on defense.

Game could have easily been 4-0, but Alejandro Moreno just couldn't get a toe on an easy tap-in with the goalie out of position, and Chad Marshall had a brilliant header off of a restart outside the box called back due to offsides. Guillermo subbed in during 2nd half stoppage time and, as I understand it, has now played in enough games to have one of his yellow cards excused. He now must receive 2 more yellows to get a one-game suspension rather than 1 more yellow. Brian Carroll served his one game suspension for yellow card accumulation during the match and Frankie Hejduk is still on the bench recovering from a strained right quad.

Columbus plays the Puerto Rico Islanders in a CONCACAF Champions League game tomorrow at Crew Stadium at 8pm. Should be a terrific game, if you're willing to brave the elements. With the chance to win some hardware and the Crew not having an MLS game to play this weekend, it sounds like we'll be fielding most of our starters against the Islanders, including possibly Guillermo. I, for one, am not missing this one.

[BuckTwenty]

Originally Posted by Emperor Brutus

GBS will likely play against Dallas, then sit again against New York (field turf) I doubt Robert starts him against Puerto Rico in Champions league, though he might depending on how hard he thinks it?ll be to break their bunker. I think we should be able to break it in the opening 30, if we can they'll have to come out of their shell and that game should break wide open even without GBS. I think Robert should and will save him for the playoff run and teams like Saprissa and Cruz Azul.

Frankie I?m a little worried about, early in the season I thought it was just over use between club and country duty but he?s had reaggravated injuries from sore muscles multiple times this season. I guess Frankie is actually getting old.

I'm with ya Emperor. I'm hoping we won't have to use Guillermo, as we have been playing extremely well without him. I'd much rather have a fresher GBS vs Saprissa or Cruz Azul, like you said. I'm keeping the faith with Frankie, though. Up until his injuries, he's been playing some of the best soccer of his life, especially with the national team. He might not be healing as fast as he has in the past, but he is years from hanging up his boots.

[Emperor Brutus]

I’m betting on a very offensive lineup for the game tonight, Puerto Rico are known for their bunker and counter, not their aggressive play in their opponents end of the field.

If I’m Robert I feel comfortable with this lineup against the islanders:

---------------Hesmer--------------
Zayner--Brunner--Marshall-- O'Rourke
------------ Carroll ------------
Ekpo-------Gaven---------Rogers
--------Lenhart----GBS-------


Jed has been looking really good on the right so there’s no need to bring back Frankie too quickly; I’d really like to see him fully healed for the last stretch of the season.

Gino has been performing admirably on the left but he’s also looked worn down as of late, I’d give him a breather.

Carroll had to sit out the last game and O’Rourke has to sit out the next, with no game this weekend we’ll have plenty of time for the young guns in the middle to rest up before our next MLS action.

I love Moreno, but his best attribute is his ability to hold up the ball and wait for the rest of the team to show up. Seeing as we should be in the offensive third for most of the game we won’t need to hold up the ball, I’ll go with Lenhart’s bull in a china shop approach for this game.

Before the Islanders last game against Toronto I figured if we could get an early goal in this game it would open up a little and we could rack up more goals. Their biggest threat won’t be playing against us due to a red card in their game against Toronto. They may still try to get the tie if we score early and get out of their bunker a little but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them try to mitigate the damage in this game as much as possible.

[jlb1705]

The Champions League match is coming on Fox Soccer Channel at 8PM.

[jlb1705]

0-0 at the half. The first half was characterized by Puerto Rico's defensive posture. The Crew dominated the possession, with the only real chance for Puerto Rico coming from a ball that defelcted off the referee.

GBS had a great chance near the end of the half, but he was pulled down and the penalty was not awarded. The Crew had plenty of other chances throughout the half but Gaudette, the former Crew keeper had made several great saves to keep Puerto Rico in the match.

Moreno & GBS started the match up top, but at the start of the second half Lenhart was subbed in for Zayner. They're definitely going with an offensive lineup now to try to bust the Puerto Rican bunker.

[jlb1705]

GOAL!

Lenhart, 58'

It came after a free kick from about 30 yards. The initial service didn't work, but the defense failed to clear. Carroll played a square ball across the 6-yd box, which found the foot of Lenhart.

With the lead in hand, the Crew sub Moffat in for GBS.

[jlb1705]

GOAL!

Rogers, 79'

Should put this one on ice.