Columbus Crew

[jlb1705]

2-0 final.

[BuckTwenty]

'Twas a nice result, but would have loved to have seen 3-0. Could have put this match on ice. 2-0 leaves it open for Puerto Rico on the return trip, even though 2-0 to these guys against this D might as well be 4-0. What. A. Defense.

I saw my first match ever from the Nordecke (in the 2nd row), and the view left something to be desired, so views from the run of play aren't as many as I'd like them to be. I must say though, I was very unimpressed with the Islanders. Their counter was slow, when the managed a decent run of play, our defense quickly snuffed it out, and even against a team like Columbus that doesn't necessarily play possession much, Columbus seemed to dominate time of possession in this game. Loved the timely subs, particularly the Lenhart for Zayner substitution at half (very ballsy, especially with it being a scoreless game at that point) and the fact that this team did not bunker in after scoring that first goal. You were spot-on about the attacking nature of how we went about business, Emperor. Definetly a welcome sight after witnessing the starting of substitutes from the onset to games that are not MLS games time and time again for years. Glad to see Warzycha is taking these games so seriously!

Looking forward to playing Cruz Azul on the 26th!!

[jlb1705]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

'Twas a nice result, but would have loved to have seen 3-0. Could have put this match on ice. 2-0 leaves it open for Puerto Rico on the return trip, even though 2-0 to these guys against this D might as well be 4-0. What. A. Defense.

This is a group stage, so while they will face each opponent at home and away, there is no aggregate to worry about when they travel to Puerto Rico. Goal differential could come into play and from that standpoint another goal would've been nice, but they got three points for the win, and that's what matters most.

[jlb1705]

Columbus Crew: News: Crew sign forward Emilio Renteria,en,en

Crew sign forward Emilio Renteria

24-year-old Venezuelan international fills Crew's vacant senior roster spot


COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Crew announced Wednesday that it has signed Venezuelan forward Emilio Renteria, who will be added to the club's roster upon approval of his P-1 visa work permit. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.

[BuckTwenty]

Originally Posted by jlb1705

Columbus Crew: News: Crew sign forward Emilio Renteria,en,en

The Dispatch's Crew blog said to watch for this signing happening this afternoon, and they were spot-on. Could not be more happy about it too. Gives the Crew a 5th attacking option (and a pretty darn athletic and talented one, at that) just as they need the depth at the start CONCACAF Champions League. I'd love to see how he meshes with Moreno and/or Guillermo up top. Would not be surprised if we see some more 3-forward alignments like we saw last night, with Guille playing more of a withdrawn forward.

And good call on the group stage, JLB. Just assumed they were doing an aggregate home and away, and I was wrong. Huge 3 points, indeed. IMO, Saprissa is going to be the team to beat in our group, but would not be surprised if we end up winning this group stage.

And BTW, Seattle's fans showed up in droves to the voting booth and voted Steve Zakuani's strike Goal of the Week over Eddie Gaven.

[Bucky Katt]

Originally Posted by 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.

Chicago lost 0-2 at home last night to LA, allowing the Crew to maintain their 4 point lead in the East with both teams having played 22. Still tied with Houston for most points overall, but still have a game in hand on the Dynamo.

[Emperor Brutus]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

You were spot-on about the attacking nature of how we went about business, Emperor.

Honestly I was shocked to see such a defensive midfield to start the game, but all the subs were offensive especially throwing another forward up top by sacrificing a player from the backline. I don't claim to know more than Bob so I'm not complaining, well not anymore, I was a little at the half.

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

IMO, Saprissa is going to be the team to beat in our group, but would not be surprised if we end up winning this group stage.

I'd say Cruz Azul, and I would have said the same before the beat them 2-0, of course that was just Cruz Azul holding serve at home. Saprissa might have the biggest home field advantage though, not only are their fans crazy like those of Cruz Azul but their pitch sucks it's like playing on a giant brick.


I?m optimistic about Renteria, but we?ll see. I?m hopeful all the paperwork is done by the PBnJ game.

[censored] on the fire, come on Sigi help your old team retain the shield.

[BuckTwenty]

Just a reminder for everybody- the Crew will be playing Cruz Azul in Mexico City tonight here at 10pm Eastern on Fox Soccer Channel (FSC). DC United will be playing in their CONCACAF Champions League game just before the Crew at 8pm on FSC.

Originally Posted by Emperor Brutus

I'd say Cruz Azul, and I would have said the same before the beat them 2-0, of course that was just Cruz Azul holding serve at home. Saprissa might have the biggest home field advantage though, not only are their fans crazy like those of Cruz Azul but their pitch sucks it's like playing on a giant brick.


I?m optimistic about Renteria, but we?ll see. I?m hopeful all the paperwork is done by the PBnJ game.

[censored] on the fire, come on Sigi help your old team retain the shield.

To be totally honest, I knew absolutely nothing about Cruz Azul until very recently, whereas I'm pretty familiar with Saprissa. I knew before the games that Cruz Azul was going to be playing their "B-team" against Saprissa because they planned on resting starters for their league game against Club America on Saturday (which they lost). The fact that they blanked Saprissa with their supposed B-team certainly makes them look like the team to beat at this point. Saprissa at their place will be the hardest single game for anyone in this bracket.

I've heard this bracket is considered "the group of death" compared to the others, and I fully believe it. We have two league champions (Crew, Saprissa) and both the winner (Cruz Azul) and the runner-up (Puerto Rico) to last year's CONCACAF Champions League all in the same group. Houston has a cake walk in comparison to the Crew in order to get out of group play.

I should probably temper my enthusiasm about Renteria (especially because he comes in with some minor injury concerns), but he's an exciting player to watch and could be a tremendous pick-up for us long term, let alone short term right as we start Champions League. I also love his ability to shoot from distance accurately, which this team sorely needs to keep defenses honest (*looks in the direction of Ekpo and Carroll*).

[BuckTwenty]

Btw, just heard Saprissa and the Purple Monster beat the Puerto Rico Islanders 3-1 at Saprissa. DC United just tied up Toluca 1-1 minutes into the 2nd half. Turning into a great game!

[jlb1705]

Frankie Hejduk is back in the starting lineup tonight.

[jlb1705]

[censored].

Not a good start for the back four.

[jlb1705]

Double [censored]. 2-0 now in the 8th minute.

They've been flat footed at the back, and the midfielders are not holding their own in possession.

[jlb1705]

Brunner apparently had enough of this one. He goes in the book twice in the span of about two minutes. Both challenges were lazy and cynical - not to mention useless, occurring near midfield.

They've already looked like they've been down a man for most of the match, now they're in that position for real thanks to Brunner's stupidity.

[jlb1705]

Cruz Azul leads 2-0 at the half, and Columbus are down a man. At this point I'd be happy if this one finishes with that same score or 2-1. Gotta think about damage control when it comes to goal differential.

[jlb1705]

Own goal to start the half. This is pitiful.