Very good news! A strike would have been horrible for the league. It should be an exciting year for the mls with the new team in philly,new stadium for new york,a second year to build upon for seattle,and hopefully more interest in us soccer from the world cup.

 

The Red Bull Stadium in NY is amazing here is a link for those interested to its construction thread @skyscraperpage.com

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=129467&page=5&highlight=bull

 

I'm extremely excited for this MLS season with Philadelphia joining the league and the World Cup in June, and next year's season with the introduction of Portland and Vancouver is going to be even bigger! 

Crew beat Toronto FC 2-0.

 

I only got to hear the first half on radio before rejoining March Madness.  But from what I've seen on the recap coverage, the Crew easily could have won by an even greater margin.  The Crew played well and Toronto is in disarray right now. 

 

Schelotto's season is starting strong with a beautiful Andy Iro headed goal from GBS in the first half and a goal for GBS himself in the second.  Good season opener all around for the Crew.  Good job of taking care of business against Toronto.

Crew 2, FC Dallas 2

 

FRISCO, Texas -- FC Dallas midfielder Eric Avila's tying strike at 93+ capped a wild finish in Pizza Hut Park tonight.  Avila scored for Dallas with a deft strike from 19 yards or so.  The Crew doffed its cap to the 75th-minute sub for the fine goal but took issue with novice referee Jasen Anno for the sequence that led up to the goal.

 

"It's a shame that it has to be decided on a play like that," said Crew defender Frankie Hejduk.

 

The play, or plays, that Hejduk referred to was a sequence that included a quick start on a free kick and a non-call of an Avila handball that TV replays which were immediately available did not conclusively capture.  The sequence, which included a reaction save of a David Ferreira shot by Crew keeper William Hesmer, left the Crew incensed.  Danny O'Rourke, who earlier was whistled for a penalty, was sent off in the final seconds for his unsporting reaction to Anno's management.

 

"A point away from home is a point away from home but you don’t want to lose on the last kick,” Crew coach Robert Warzycha said, signaling exactly how the Crew viewed the tie.

 

Full article: http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2010/04/crew_2_fc_dallas_2.shtml

I didn't get to catch Saturday night's match between the Crew and FC Dallas.  But it looks like the Crew either let a road win slip away or they got jobbed into the tie - depending on your perspective.  You can decide for yourself by viewing this 5 minute 38 second broadcast highlight video from YouTube below.  The controversial series of plays starts at the 4:30 mark.  The viewer shows up kind of small here.  If you click on the viewer link and watch at YouTube it's larger and clearer.

 

Columbus Crew 2 - 2 FC Dallas - Game Highlights - 04/10/10

Columbus Crew 2 x 2 FC Dallas - Game Highlights - 04/10/10 - [WEEK 3 - 2010 SEASON]

 

What the Crew players were most upset about was an apparent handball from FC Dallas' Avila just before he struck the tying goal.  An Avila handball is not very apparent in the broadcast at full speed or in the replays.  But someone posted a link to this screenshot at the Crew blog of the play in question:

 

 

It sure looks like Avila stopped the ball with his arm to set up his game-tying kick.  Which probably why Schelotto, who was closest to Avila, immediately went to the referee to protest.  Missed call or the breaks of the game?   

 

In any event, the Crew will have two weeks to think about the two points that got away against Dallas.  The Crew does not play again until they host defending MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake on April 24.

Catching up on the Crew's last two matches.  The first match was from the previous weekend in a rainy Crew Stadium against defending MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake.  The second match was from last Saturday at Seattle in a sold-out Qwest Field.  Because of two very early season bye weeks, the Crew has played less games than any other MLS team.  And the Crew doesn't look like they're playing near mid-season form yet.  But they still managed a home win against RSL and a road tie at Seattle - one of the toughest venues in the league.  So, despite grinding away some of their recent games, the Crew holds a solid 2-0-2 record. 

 

Below are recaps of the RSL and Seattle matches:

 

Columbus Crew 1 | Real Salt Lake 0 - Ugly win gets Crew's point across

 

Columbus Crew 1 | Seattle Sounders 1 - Crew grinds way to road point

^Nice way to split the evening with an old friend.

does anyone know who on the crew will be in the world cup?

Frankie Hejduk might be. Chad Marshall, Robbie Rogers, Eddie Gaven spent some time with the national team but I don't see them making it to the world cup. I'm not even sure Hejduk has a great chance.

Hejduk will get a chance because he is a veteran of previous WC's and adds a good locker room presence for some of the younger guys.  Plus he will be solid as a reserve.  Chad Marshell and Robbie Rodgers will get invited to the upcoming camp, but not sure if they will make it.

 

Only place colder than the stands tonight was the Rev's locker room.

 

3-2 CREW!

What a game!  New England rookie Zak Boggs scored both of the Rev's goals in his first ever MLS start.  The first should have been saved by Crew goalkeeper Hesmer, but it was well struck to give NE the 1-0 lead.  His second was at the end of a tight series of one-touch passes. (NE might want to think about start him again - he played great.)  The Crew otherwise dominated play in the first half with a goal from Eddie Gaven and a NE own goal in between the two NE goals to tie the game 2-2 at halftime. 

 

In the second half, NE hunkered down against attack after attack from Columbus.  And it looked like they might steal a road point tie from the Crew.  But in the 90th minute, Guillermo Barros Schelotto showed everyone why he is "Guillermo Barros Schelotto!" with a perfectly placed long pass over the defense into the path of Jason Garey.  Garey was able to head the ball past the NE goalkeeper onto the net.  That header was initially saved by a NE defender before Robbie Rogers knocked the rebound home for the 3-2 victory.

 

The Crew really pulled out that win from the chilly and windy Columbus night!

Crew's Marshall, Rogers named to preliminary World Cup roster

Tuesday,  May 11, 2010 - 2:57 PM

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

Chad Marshall and Robbie Rogers of the Crew were named to the preliminary roster of the United States World Cup team this afternoon.  The pair will report to a training camp beginning next week in Princeton, N.J. but is expected to be available for Saturday's game against Chivas USA.  It was not clear this morning if they would play against New York on May 20.

 

"I think it's every player's dream to play in a World Cup," Rogers said.  "To make the 30-man roster is the first step toward doing that. I'm excited but I know I have a lot of work ahead of me."

 

U.S. coach Bob Bradley must trim the roster to 23 players by June 1.  The U.S. will play its first World Cup game against England on June 12 in Rustenburg, South Africa.

 

Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/05/11/crew-world-cup.html?sid=101

 

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U.S. PRELIMINARY WORLD CUP ROSTER

 

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton)

 

DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

 

MIDFIELDERS (12): DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (rebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mnchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Jos Torres (Pachuca)

 

FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

The Crew survived another grinding game to salvage a home win last night against Chivas.  This time the Crew needed until the 90th minute to get the game-winning goal and remain undefeated at 4-0-2. 

 

Here's a recap of the game from the Dispatch:  Crew 1, Chivas USA 0:  Saving the best for last; Schelotto's penalty-kick goal, stellar play by Hesmer carry Crew in foul-filled game

 

And here's a photo essay of the game from Columbus Underground:  Crew Defeats Chivas in 90th Minute Last Night

The Crew will be on ESPN2 tonight at 8:00PM.  They will face the New York Red Bulls as this week's ESPN2 Thursday night MLS game.  The Crew (4-0-2) would take over the eastern conference first place from NY (5-3-0) with a win tonight.

 

Great chance to view the undefeated Crew.  Great chance to view the brand new Red Bulls Stadium too.

True, though GBS, Marshall, and Rogers are all out. Hesmer was hurt midweek, though I guess NY is pretty beat up too.

Crew wins 3-1.  Gavin and Iro score in the first half.  Renteria in the second half.  Very nice road win with all the reserves the Crew needed to start. 

 

Next game comes up quickly on Sunday at KC. 

^ Some very nice highlights of the goals on sportscenter.  It was a beautiful cross by Hedujk for the first goal (I think it was the first).

Renteria's lone tally helps undefeated Crew top Wizards yet again

 

KANSAS CITY -- Emilio Renteria scored on a header in the 64th minute to give the unbeaten Columbus Crew a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards on Sunday.  Renteria's goal -- his second in two games -- was the first allowed by the Wizards off a corner kick this season.  Guillermo Barros Schelotto, making his return to the Crew (6-0-2) after serving a one-game suspension, got the assist.

 

Picked up 6 points in four days, not a bad weekend for our Crew.

Best start ever for the Crew!  First they win at New York's brand new Red Bull Arena with many Crew supporters following the team to NY.  Below is a screenshot of the Crew fans celebrating a goal in style (and yellow smoke).

 

 

Then a win Sunday at Kansas City.  Followed by Emilio Renteria being named MLS Player of the Week.  He had two goals - the third Crew goal against NY and the game-winning goal against KC.  Not bad for a second half sub.  Below is a photo of Renteria celebrating that breakaway goal against NY.

 

 

(Photos courtesy of Crew 2010 Season Discussion at Columbus Underground)

No World Cup for Rogers and Marshall

 

Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers and defender Chad Marshall were left off the United States' 23-man World Cup roster.  The pair is expected to be available for Saturday's game against the undefeated Los Angeles Galaxy.  The Galaxy will be missing Landon Donovan and MLS top scorer Edson Buddle.  Both made the U.S. roster.

 

Galaxy withstand Crew onslaught to remain undefeated

 

COLUMBUS — Rookie midfielder Michael Stephens had his first career goal in the 10th minute to stake LA to the lead and Donovan Ricketts made four saves for his ninth shutout as the Galaxy beat the Crew 2-0 in a battle of the top teams.  Tristan Bowen also had his first MLS goal as he added an insurance tally in the 87th minute.

 

The Galaxy were outshot 21-3, and the Crew had all 15 corner kicks, but in the end, the visitors withstood the onslaught for three points.  LA (9-0-2) has allowed two goals overall and none while going 5-0-1 on the road.  The Crew (6-1-2) saw their four-game home winning streak snapped before a season-high 18,139 fans in Crew Stadium.

 

Full report: http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-recap/galaxy-withstand-crew-onslaught-remain-undefeated

The Columbus Crew have two road matches this week.  They play at San Jose tonight and at Colorado on Saturday before MLS goes on their World Cup break.  After the break they have a home match against DC United on June 26 and a home match against Chicago on July 3.

Amusing story from a Columbus Alive reporter who travelled along with the Crew supporters that visited NYC's Red Bull Arena:  Crew: Nordecke on Tour

Columbus 2, San Jose 2:  Crew can't hold lead, settles for tie

 

Chad Marshall and Eddie Gaven scored, but the Crew could not hold a pair of leads and tied the San Jose Earthquakes (5-3-2) last night in Santa Clara, California.  The Crew (6-1-3) has a three-point lead over second-place New York (6-4) in the Eastern Conference.

 

Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/06/03/crew-cant-hold-lead-settles-for-tie.html?sid=101

Colorado Rapids 1, Columbus Crew 0

 

This was not the way the Crew wanted to enter its three-week World Cup break.  It allowed a late goal to the 10-man Rapids and lost for the second time this season.  The Crew is 0-2-1 in its past three.

 

Drew Moor leaped over a motionless Jed Zayner during a long-range free kick and knocked a one-bounce header inside the far post and past a slow-to-react William Hesmer in the 85th minute. 

 

According to ONN's stats, the Crew took one shot on goal.  The Crew had a chance to take the lead in the 74th but a rare poor shot by Guillermo Barros Schelotto sailed high.

 

Full post: http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2010/06/rapids_1_crew_0.shtml

The World Cup break in the MLS season looks like it came at a good time for the Crew.  The Crew were 0-2-1 in the final three games prior to the break.  Since the break the Crew have won two straight games.  First, a very convincing 2-0 win last weekend against DC United.  Then, a 2-1 win last night against a quality Chicago squad.  More about that game from ESPN below.

 

Columbus Crew move clear at the top -- Columbus Crew moved three points clear at the top of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference by beating the Chicago Fire 2-1 in a match which saw all three goals arrive in a three-minute period just before half-time.

Crew: Marshall, Schelotto named to MLS All-Star team

 

Defender Chad Marshall and forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto of the Crew were among the first 11 players named to the Major League Soccer All-Star team.  Schelotto, one of the league's top set-piece servers, and Marshall, a 6-foot-4 menace in both boxes, are expected to play against global titan Manchester United in the July 28 All-Star game in Houston.

 

Full article: http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/07/13/crew-all-stars.html?sid=101

Crew grades out well at midseason

Friday, July 16, 2010  - 2:53 AM

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

The Crew, the best team of the past two regular seasons, is no longer the most feared in Major League Soccer.  That title belongs to Los Angeles.  The Galaxy (11-2-3) has 36 points and has allowed only seven goals in 16 games.

 

The Crew (8-3-4, 28 points) is still a formidable foe.  It sits atop the Eastern Conference and, despite a current 225-minute goalless streak, has scored a conference-best 20 goals after 15 of 30 games.  If the season ended today, the Crew would have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and be considered a favorite for its second MLS Cup in three years.  That's enough to consider the season a success so far, but there is room for improvement.

 

Midseason grades at http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/07/16/crew-grades-out-well-at-midseason.html?sid=101

The Columbus Crew defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-0 Saturday night in Crew Stadium.  The win extends the Crew's lead in the MLS Eastern Conference over the second place Red Bulls.  Below is a link to a mighty fine game recap and photo thread at Columbus Underground.

 

Crew Downs the Red Bulls on Saturday Night

 

Another mighty fine weekend for the Columbus Crew organization. 

 

First, the Crew extended their lead in the Eastern Conference with a 3-0 win over Houston in Crew Stadium - RECAP FROM MLS.

 

Then, the Crew Juniors U19 team won the U.S. Youth Soccer national championship on Saturday night.  This youth national championship is the first for the Crew Juniors, and is also a first for a Major League Soccer youth academy team.  More about this from The Black & Gold Standard.

The Crew started this week's matches with a rough LA road trip at Chivas USA.  Last Saturday's 3-1 loss was painful enough.  But it was an Eddie Gaven collision early in the game that was even more painful for the Crew.  Gaven was diving to get his head on the end of a Schelotto crossing pass, but instead collided with the Chivas goalkeeper's knee.  Gaven was knocked unconscious and immediately removed from the game with a Grade 2 concussion.  He is reported to be recovering well, but its too early to know when he might return to the lineup.  The midfielder has been key player for the Crew this year - RECAP FROM MLS.

 

After that road trip, the Crew had a quick turnaround to another road game.  This time at Philadelphia on Thursday.  It looked bad when Jason Garey needed to be replaced early in the first half.  But his substitute, Steven Lenhart, ended up with two goals to lead the Crew to a 2-1 victory.  The first goal was a diving header off a Schelotto free kick in the first half.  The second goal was another diving header from a Renteria kick in the second half.  Both were beautiful goals.  Only an iffy penalty call/penalty kick at the end of the first half denied a shutout to the Crew.  All in all, a very enjoyable inaugural visit to Philly's beautiful new PPL Park - RECAP FROM MLS.

Warzycha will be back with Crew next season

Friday, August 13, 2010 

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

Crew coach Robert Warzycha will return for a third season, The Dispatch learned yesterday.  The Crew picked up an option year on Warzycha's contract, which expires in 2011.  Warzycha, 46, has led the Crew to a 24-11-14 record since replacing Sigi Schmid in December 2008.  Schmid departed a few weeks after the Crew won its first MLS Cup championship to coach the expansion Seattle Sounders.

 

Warzycha led the Crew to the best record in Major League Soccer (13-7-10, 49 points) in his first season.  This came after an 0-2-5 start, the worst start by an MLS defending champion and also the worst in Crew history.  The Crew leads the Eastern Conference after 19 games this season and is in contention to become the first MLS team to win a third consecutive Supporters' Shield trophy for having the best regular-season record.

 

Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/08/13/warzycha-will-be-back-with-crew-next-season.html?sid=101

Stinker of a road loss last weekend at Real Salt Lake.  Followed by a pretty nice home win this weekend against Colorado.  With a Champions League win over CSD Municipal of Guatemala in between on Wednesday.

 

First, the road loss.  RSL continued this season's home dominance with 2-0 win over the Crew.  RSL also had their way all game long as the Crew did not avenge RSL eliminating the Crew from last year's playoffs - RECAP FROM MLS.

 

Then, a 1-0 win over CSD Municipal of Guatemala in the opening match of group play of the CONCACAF Champions League.  A decent win featuring many of Crew's reserve players - RECAP FROM MLS.

 

Finally, a crackerjack 3-1 win for the regular starters at Crew Stadium over the Colorado Rapids.  The win maintains a six-point lead over second-place New York in the Eastern Conference and moves the Crew to within three of Los Angeles for the overall MLS lead - RECAP FROM MLS.

Very nice photo review of last weekend's Crew win from Columbus Underground:

 

 

The Crew will be in Mexico tonight for a Champions League match (which will be shown at 10PM on the Fox Soccer Channel).  The team will be resting most of their key players, like Schelotto, Marshall and Hesmer, to prepare for a Saturday night match back in Ohio against FC Dallas.

An interesting commentary article from a Dispatch sports reporter on the multiple games and multiple title goals facing the Columbus Crew squad in the coming months.  Below is the link to the full article and an excerpt from the article that is the heart of the commentary:

 

Commentary: Time for Warzycha, Crew to make MLS Cup top priority

 

"It is now a question of priorities.  One person's view: The U.S. Open Cup is there for the taking, so have a stab; Champions League is important, but not to the point of killing a team; there is no way to catch L.A. for the Supporters' Shield, so de-prioritize it . . . and that leaves the MLS Cup, this season's one, true grail.  The Crew has the talent to contend for it.  Does it have the game?  The potential is there.  It could be seen, in flashes, in the Crew's victory over the Rapids before a raucous and well-drenched crowd of 16,063."

 

Crew 2, D.C. United 1 (OT): Schelotto helps put Crew in final of U.S. Open Cup

Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Columbus Dispatch

 

WASHINGTON - In the first of two straight games in the nation's capital this week, the Crew gutted out a 2-1 overtime win over D.C. United to advance to the U.S. Open Cup final.

 

After trailing for most of the game, the Crew scored with just minutes to spare to force overtime and then took the lead for good on a Guillermo Barros Schelotto penalty kick.

 

The Crew, which won the 2002 Open Cup, will play the Seattle Sounders in the final on Oct. 5 in Seattle.  The Sounders advanced by beating Chivas USA 3-1 last night.

 

Full article: http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/09/02/schelotto-helps-put-crew-in-final-of-u-s--open-cup.html?sid=101

Crew 1 | D.C. United 0

Crew's roll gains momentum

Sunday, September 5, 2010

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

WASHINGTON - The Crew, written off as a Supporters' Shield also-ran earlier this summer, is surging down the stretch.  A 1-0 victory over D.C. United in RFK Stadium increased the Crew's point total to 44 and its Eastern Conference lead over second-place New York to seven points.  The Crew moved into a tie with the Los Angeles Galaxy atop the overall Major League Soccer standings with seven games remaining.

 

The Crew (13-5-5) trailed the Galaxy (13-5-5) by double digits earlier this summer and faced a daunting schedule of MLS, Champions League and U.S. Open Cup games during the final third of the season.  But the Crew now controls its destiny in its bid to become the first MLS team to win three consecutive Supporters' Shields for the best regular-season record.

 

To boot, it will play for the U.S. Open Cup next month at Seattle and is in position to advance to a Champions League quarterfinal.

 

Full article: http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/09/05/crews-roll-gains-momentum.html?sid=101

It's been a tale of two leagues for the Crew this past week.  First, a tale of woe in MLS play with a 3-1 loss at the league leading L.A. Galaxy and then a 4-0 drubbing at home against Seattle. 

 

Then, a tale of joy in Champions League play.  First, a 3-0 home win against Trinidad's Joe Public team.  Then, a 1-0 home win against Mexico's Santos Laguna team.  That win vaulted the Crew ahead of Santos in the opening group standings and virtually guaranteed their advancement to a later round in the Champions League.

The Crew played a good game with a lackluster result last Saturday in misty chilly conditions at Crew Stadium.  But a 0-0 tie against San Jose was still good enough to clinch a spot in the MLS playoffs for a third consecutive season. 

 

Here's a recap of the game from The Dispatch:  Tie clinches spot in postseason

 

Here's a nice photo rundown of the game from Columbus Underground:  Crew Clinch Playoff Spot with Tie Against San Jose

 

And in non-MLS news:  The Crew are facing Seattle in the U.S. Open Cup championship game tonight at 10PM.  The game will be broadcast on the Fox Soccer Channel.

Sounders 2, Crew 1

Crew falls in Open Cup final

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

Sanna Nyassi scored two unanswered goals, and the Seattle Sounders defeated the visiting Crew 2-1 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final in Qwest Field last night.  The surging Sounders had the support of a vociferous home crowd of 31,311.

 

The struggling Crew played well and had a chance to stop a late-season slide but fell to 1-3-2 in its past six games and 0-3-2 against Seattle and former Crew coach Sigi Schmid.  "I think we're just (angry) right now," said Crew midfielder Kevin Burns, who scored his first career goal to give the Crew a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute.  Nyassi answered with strikes in the 38th and 66th minutes.

 

Full article: http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/10/06/crew-falls-in-open-cup-final.html?sid=101

The Crew played a good game with a lackluster result last Saturday in misty chilly conditions at Crew Stadium. But a 0-0 tie against San Jose was still good enough to clinch a spot in the MLS playoffs for a third consecutive season.

 

First ever crew game for myself and the wife. Chilly, but fun. ;)

The Crew finished their regular season road schedule with a trip to Toronto on Saturday.  The Crew salvaged a 2-2 tie in a most unusual way. 

 

With Toronto FC up 2-1 late into second half stoppage time, the Crew managed a corner kick.  As Schelotto prepared for the kick, Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer runs the 90 yards from his goal into the penalty box area, just as the corner kick is made.  The ball is headed off Chad Marshall to Hesmer, who controlled it and kicked it into the back of the net!  Which the video from MLS at the link below to see the play before the stunned Toronto fans.

 

Columbus Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer scores dramatic goal

The Columbus Crew ended two different schedules by advancing into the next rounds.  First the Crew travelled to Trinidad and defeated Joe Public 4-1 to advance into the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League for the second consecutive season.  They'll find out in a week who their February quarterfinal opponent will be.

 

Then the Crew finished the MLS regular season with a 3-1 win over Philadelphia at Crew Stadium last night.  The Crew will face Colorado in the opening round of the MLS playoffs in a two game home-and-away total goals wins format.  The two-game schedule is below:

 

First leg:

Columbus at Colorado: Thursday, Oct. 28, 9 p.m. (ET) - ESPN2

 

Second leg (plus OT and PKs if necessary):

Colorado at Columbus: Saturday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m. (ET) - ONN-TV/TeleFutura

Sunday's 3-1 win over Philadelphia was very positive for the Crew.  The offense got back on track and a season-high crowd of 19,006 cheered the Crew into the MLS playoffs.  But a late game injury to goalkeeper William Hesmer cast a shadow over the win. 

 

Starting goalkeeper William Hesmer suffered a right shoulder fracture and will miss the postseason.  The Crew will have to rely on backup keeper Andy Gruenebaum in their playoff run.  Gruenebaum has not appeared in an MLS game this season but played well in four Open Cup and six Champions League starts.  More about the 3-1 win over Philadelphia below:

 

Columbus Dispatch: Crew finds energy in finale

 

MLS: Crew ease past Union, head into playoffs on a roll

Colorado won the first of their two-game MLS playoff series with the Crew last night 1-0.  Colorado scored on a pretty series of passes in the first half and then held off a flurry of Columbus scoring chances late in the second half.  The second playoff game will be Nov. 6 at Columbus.  Because its a total goal format, the Crew will need to win by two goals to advance - or at least win by one goal to force an OT and/or PK's. 

 

Below is the link to the MLS recap of the match and video highlights:

 

Rapids survive late pressure, top Crew in playoff opener

Colorado won the first of their two-game MLS playoff series with the Crew last night 1-0. Colorado scored on a pretty series of passes in the first half and then held off a flurry of Columbus scoring chances late in the second half. The second playoff game will be Nov. 6 at Columbus. Because its a total goal format, the Crew will need to win by two goals to advance - or at least win by one goal to force an OT and/or PK's.

 

Below is the link to the MLS recap of the match and video highlights:

 

Rapids survive late pressure, top Crew in playoff opener

 

I missed most of the first half, but at the start of the second they looked terrible.  They couldn't keep possession, and were really really lucky that Colorado didn't put one or two more in.  Once they replaced Scholleto and Lenhart they seemed to have more energy.

 

Really thought Iro's header was going in.  he could of had it on the rebound if it bounced the right way and he didn't have to bring it down first. 

 

Ohh Well 1-0 loss on the away leg is not bad at all.  easily can be made up once they get back home.

The Crew play Colorado in their second playoff game tomorrow at 4PM in Crew Stadium.  The Crew are down 1-0 in the total goals format going into the game.  STO just added this game to their schedule - so if you're out of town, STO is a good viewing option.  The winner will face San Jose, who knocked out the New York Red Bulls last night.

 

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In other playoff news, the schedule for CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals has been announced:

 

The Crew will play Real Salt Lake in the Champions League quarterfinals next year.  The two-game, total-goals series will be the first between two American teams in the Champions League knockout stage.  It will be played in Columbus on Feb. 22, 23, or 24 and in Utah on March 1, 2 or 3.

 

The winner will play a semifinal series against the winner of the Olimpia (Honduras)-Saprissa (Costa Rica) series.  The Crew and Salt Lake would not play a Mexican team until the final in mid-April.  Four Mexican teams were paired in the other quarterfinals.  A Mexican team has won the Champions League five consecutive years.

 

MORE: http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2010/11/crew_to_face_rsl_in_ccl.shtml

COLORADO ADVANCES OVER THE CREW AFTER TWO-GAME PLAYOFF, OVERTIME PERIOD AND PENALTY KICK ROUND

 

It was an exciting match that featuring the Crew dominating the early play in the first period.  Then gaining the aggregate goal lead in the second period.  Only the lose that lead late in the second when Colorado forced the match into overtime.  After a scoreless overtime, penalty kicks decided which team would advance to the conference final - one game from the MLS Championship.  After nine shots, the difference between advancement and elimination came down to one final PK shot that was missed by the Crew.  And the Colorado Rapids advance.

 

Definately a tough way to end another quality season for the Crew.  The Crew had their scoring chances.  But if they could have prevented Colorado from scoring for just a few more minutes late in the second period, the Crew would have advanced without the need of an overtime or penalty kicks.  Credit Conor Casey of the Rapids with brilliantly quick strike in the 84th minute to force the OT on his 14th goal of the season.

 

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Here is the Dispatch article on the match:

 

Abrupt goodbye: Crew rallies to take series lead, but missed opportunities set the stage for Rapids to tie it late, then win when Carroll's shootout kick misses target

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Below is the link to the MLS recap of the match and video highlights:

 

Rapids edge Crew on PKs, progress to conference final

It was crushing.