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  • MuRrAy HiLL
    MuRrAy HiLL

    Congrats on the title! Columbus Crew win 2nd MLS title, beating Seattle 3-0   https://sports.yahoo.com/columbus-crew-win-2nd-mls-034801910.html

  • Columbo
    Columbo

    A MASSIVE WIN!!!  ⚽ 🎆

  • KJP
    KJP

    Seriously?? A Cleveland guy is the first one to post this?? You slippin' C-bus!  

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Crew SC got their first win of 2015 last night in their home opener against Toronto FC.  The first half saw the Crew dominate in possession and shots taken, but, like last week, no goals.  Then at the end of first half, Ethan Finlay broke free on a run toward Toronto's goal and was taken down by a TFC defender.  After some discussion with a side ref, the head referee gave the TFC defender a red card for "denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity".

 

With TFC down one man in the second half, the Crew took advantage.  In the 57th minute, Finlay sent a crossing pass into the 18-yd box that Justin Meram headed into the goal.  Only four minutes later, Waylon Francis sent a ball into the 6-yd box that Kei Kamara footed past the keeper for another goal.

 

And that was that for mighty TFC as Columbus held them scoreless for a 2-0 win.  The extra man advantage helped, but the Crew's attacking style looked dangerous all night long.  Newcomer Mohammed Saeid (who replaced suspended midfielder Tchani in the lineup) had a outstanding game.

 

MATCH RECAP WITH VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/14/columbus-crew-sc-2-toronto-fc-0-mls-match-recap

Some Crew SC news:

 

- Crew SC picked up a club option to extend Coach Gregg Berhalter contract through 2017.

 

- The team waived rookie forward Sagi Lev-Ari, who was selected in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft.  This reduced the number of players under contract to 27, one less than the 28-player maximum.  This was probably done to allow Crew SC to sign forward Cedrick once his season in Spain finishes.

 

- Defender Waylon Francis has been called up by Costa Rica for a pair of upcoming friendlies on March 26 vs. Paraguay and March 31 at Panama.  Because of this, Francis will miss the Crew's next match on March 28 against the New York Red Bulls.

Columbus Monthly has a brief conversation with Precourt (and a bunch of other Crew SC info) at http://www.columbusmonthly.com/content/stories/2015/03/anthony-precourt-talks-crew-sc-present-and-future.html

 

When Anthony Precourt purchased the Crew from its original owners, there was some concern about the Californian acquiring the team.  Would he be an absentee owner?  Or even worse, might he move the team to California?  After more than a year as Crew owner, those fears have been assuaged.

 

His selection of Gregg Berhalter to rebuild the team has been a success.  The rebranding to Crew SC has been a success.  The team finally got its long sought after goal of a stadium naming rights sponsor with Mapfre Insurance.  And this season's home games will feature more local food and beer options - http://www.columbusunderground.com/home-crew-games-to-feature-more-local-food-and-beer - something that fans have long wanted.

The Crew will be missing two starters for tomorrow's match due to international call-ups:  Justin Meram (Iraq) and Waylon Francis (Costa Rica)

 

But this season's Crew has the depth to absorb these absences.  Chris Klute, who was acquired in a draft day trade with the Colorado Rapids, will likely replace Francis at left defensive back.  Kristinn Steindorsson, who started the season opener for a suspended Meram, will likely replace him again at left wing midfielder.

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2015/3/24/8285939/depth-provides-cover-for-this-weekends-columbus-crew-sc-losses

From my earlier preview of the 2015 schedule:

 

- March 14 / March 28:  For those who like to freeze while watching their soccer, the first two Crew home games are a good option (3/14 vs. Toronto and 3/28 vs. NY Red Bulls)

 

Got lucky on the March 14 opener - nice weather in the 60's.  Will not get lucky tonight for the Red Bulls match - game start temp of 30 with a wind chill of 22.

The Crew will try to rebound from a poor performance in game 3 with a mid-week match at Vancouver tonight.  The first of two road games (on each coast!) within 72 hours for the Crew.  More about this bizarre MLS scheduling at http://www.massivereport.com/2015/4/6/8355281/crew-scs-early-schedule-means-two-off-weeks-then-two-games-in-72-hours

 

The Crew have been up-and-down over their first three games.  UP despite a 1-0 loss at Houston; UP with a 2-0 win hosting Toronto; then DOWN in a 2-1 loss hosting the Red Bulls.  Tonight's opponent, Vancouver, has been the opposite with a strong 4-1-0 start to their season.

 

The Crew will be without its top playmaker Federico Higuain tonight.  Pipa took a very ill-advised second yellow card late in the second half of the Red Bull loss for dissent/arguing.  This second yellow equals a red card ejection for that game and an automatic one-game suspension.  Wil Trapp didn't play in the Red Bull game and is listed as questionable for tonight's game with a nagging calf strain.

 

GAME PREVIEW:  http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/04/08/columbus-crew-sc-forced-adjust-without-federico-higuain-lineup-vs-vancouver-

"Could-have-been-better / could-have-been-worse" 2-2 result in Vancouver late last night.

 

HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:  The Crew held a one-goal lead two times.  First, in the 24th minute, on a really nice give-and-go play between Ethan Finlay and Kei Kamara.  Then, in the 50th minute, on a Meram pass into the box that was finished by Kamara for his 2nd goal of the match.  But each time Vancouver equalized shortly after the Crew goal in the 31st and 64th minute.

 

HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE:  One of the reasons the Crew couldn't hold the lead was a patchwork defensive back line.  Defensive starters Grana, Pogatetz and Francis were replaced by Jimenez, Wahl and Klute due to injury.  Trapp played but was replaced by Saeid at halftime (hopefully not due to injury).  Statistically, Vancouver dominated in shots and possession.  So the Crew were fortunate to salvage a road point against a team off to a strong start.

 

- RECAP W/ VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-04-08-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-columbus-crew-sc/recap

 

- BOXSCORE: http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-04-08-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-columbus-crew-sc/boxscore

 

So the Crew leave Vancouver with a 2-2 draw and travel cross-country to New England for a Saturday afternoon match.  They'll get Higuain back from suspension and hopefully some of their injured defensemen.

Apparently the reason Wil Trapp got replaced at halftime of the Vancouver game was because he was suffering concussion-like symptoms.  Obviously this means he is unlikely to play in this afternoon's match at New England.

 

More about this at http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2015/04/09/crew-wil-trapp-may-not-play-against-new-england.html and at http://www.massivereport.com/2015/4/10/8380863/preview-columbus-crew-sc-at-new-england-revolution

Yesterday's Crew/Revs match was definitely not one for the highlight reel.  But leaving NE with a road draw was not bad for the Crew.  Especially considering that this was the second straight road draw during the Crew's 2-games-in-72-hours stretch that required them to also travel cross-country:

 

http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-04-11-new-england-revolution-vs-columbus-crew-sc/recap

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2015/4/11/8390807/return--possession-style-results-in-one-point-on-the-road-for

That is more like it.  Dominant 3-0 win last night over Orlando.  The match swung on two plays made by Orlando defender Rafael Ramos during a two minute stretch in the first half.

 

In the 32nd minute, Ramos got possession in their 18-yard box.  In attempting to move the ball out of danger, he kicked it into an open area to the right corner.  However, Ethan Finlay raced into this area and struck a crossing pass to Higuain, who tapped it into the Orlando goal.  Then, two minutes later, Ramos was in his offensive half when Francis dispossessed him with some contact.  Ramos first complained to the side official and then committed a vicious studs-first two-leg slide into Francis legs.  This earned Ramos an immediate red card ejection.

 

In the second half, the Crew took advantage of this with two more goals.  In the 55th minute on a blast by Meram assisted by Karama.  Then in the 60th minute on a chip by Karama assisted by Higuain.

 

BOX SCORE: http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-04-18-columbus-crew-sc-vs-orlando-city-sc/boxscore

 

RECAP W/ VIDEO: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/04/18/columbus-crew-sc-3-orlando-city-sc-0-mls-match-recap

http://www.columbuscrewsc.com/news/2015/04/crew-sc-looking-maintain-momentum

 

Like the above article says, the Crew are looking to maintain their momentum from the win last week.  Crew SC (2-2-2) is also on a three-game unbeaten streak and is hosting the Philadelphia Union (1-4-3) who has lost four of its last six matches.  Mo Saeid has taken over Wil Trapp's defensive midfield position until Trapp's concussion issues get resolved, and played quite well.  Kei Kamara will be playing in his 200th MLS game tonight.  And he has been off to a fantastic start this season with 4 goals in 6 games.

 

SOMETHING TO ATTRACT FANS TONIGHT:  $1 beer and brat night

 

SOMETHING TO REPEL FANS TONIGHT:  Kick-off forecast is 49 degrees and windy with a chance of showers

Well, that was a dominating performance by the Crew last night.  The Crew put the pressure on Philly's defense and their young goalkeeper, and broke through with three goals by halftime.

 

- 21' Kei Kamara (Assisted By: Ethan Finlay, Tony Tchani)

- 32' Ethan Finlay (Assisted By: Waylon Francis)

- 44' Justin Meram (Assisted By: Emanuel Pogatetz)

 

The teams traded goals in the second half for the 4-1 final score.  Philly's only goal came in the 64th minute from rookie Eric Ayuk Mbu, who is an early candidate for 'MLS goal celebration of the year' with his "five-summersault-with-a-stuck-landing" celebration.  The Crew's final goal came in the 73rd minute on a beautifully weighted pass from Kei Kamara to Ethan Finlay.

 

Finlay got his first two goals of this season, after an 11-goal breakout season last year.  Kamara got his 5th goal of the season in 7 games, and showed a Higuain-like touch in assisting Finlay's second goal.

 

RECAP w/ VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-04-25-columbus-crew-sc-vs-philadelphia-union/recap

The Crew are 3-2-2 and 4th in the East so far.  But seeing the way the Crew has played in their last two big wins is enough to usher in thoughts of supporters shields and league championships.  Of course it's still early in the season with only 7 of 34 games played.  But the team that Berhalter has assembled has the makings of a juggernaut:  Top goalkeeping, tight defense, possession offense, swift attacking and sure finishing.

 

Here are the next five games on the schedule.  They lay out nicely for an extended winning streak (if the Crew keep up this level of play) with alternating home & away matches on four Saturday's and one Friday:

 

May  2  - @ DC United

May  9  - Seattle

May 16 - @ San Jose

May 22 - Chicago

May 30 - @ Orlando

A look back at a big week for two Crew SC players:

 

- Ethan Finlay named MLS Player of the Week for his two-goal, one-assist game against Philadelphia: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/04/28/columbus-crew-scs-ethan-finlay-wins-mls-player-week-after-two-goals-one-assi

 

- Kei Kamara played his 200th MLS game.  His goal against Philadelphia was his 5th goal of the year and keeps him at the top of the MLS: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/04/28/columbus-crew-scs-kei-kamara-marks-milestone-game-goal-amazing-night

The Crew took a step backwards at D.C. on Saturday.  Two mistakes on corner kicks in the first half decided the game.  The first came off a Crew corner kick in the 15th minute.  The ball was headed out the mixer and into the open, where two D.C. players got a fast-break counterattack against only two Crew defenders.  The D.C. attack was able to finish it with a shot before a diving Clark could shut it down.

 

The second mistake came off a D.C. corner kick in the 41st minute.  Clark attempted to punch the ball away but got caught up in the mixer and couldn't reach it.  The ball travelled though to an unmarked D.C. player on the back side of the 6-yd box, who deftly directed it into the unguarded net.  With D.C. up two goals, they could just sit back and stymie the Crew attack in the second half.  And that was what they did.

 

RECAP:  http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/3/8539263/columbus-crew-sc-blanked-by-d-c-united-fall-2-0

 

VIDEO:  http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-05-02-dc-united-vs-columbus-crew-sc/recap

It looks like the partnership with Spanish Insurance giant Mapfre is benefitting the Crew beyond just the stadium naming rights deal.  The Crew announced that they will be hosting Spanish La Liga team Valencia for their traditional summer international friendly match:

 

From http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/8/8573131/columbus-crew-sc-announce-international-friendly-with-former-spanish:

 

"Columbus Crew SC today announced the club will host six-time La Liga champions Valencia CF in an international friendly on Wednesday, May 27 at MAPFRE Stadium as part of the LFP World Challenge.  It will be the first time in club history that the Black and Gold have faced Spanish opposition in an international friendly."

 

"Valencia currently sits in fourth place in the Spanish Premier League behind Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Athletic Madrid.  Los Che, as the side is affectionately known, is one of only four teams to win La Liga since 2000. ... Per the press release: In its storied history, Valencia has won seven Copa del Rey titles and a Spanish SuperCup as well as the UEFA Cup."

In MLS action tonight, the Crew (3-3-2) host the Seattle Sounders (5-2-1).  This game will feature the return of former Crew defender Chad Marshall, his first game in Columbus since being traded to Seattle in December 2013:

 

PREVIEW: http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/8/8575439/crossing-the-touchline-talking-seattle-sounders-at-columbus-crew-sc

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/8/8576247/q-a-with-former-columbus-crew-sc-defender-chad-marshall

The Crew got their offensive mojo back last night against Seattle.  The scoring opened in the 10th minute off a cross from Francis that Kamara darted in front of Marshall to head it in for the goal.  Seattle equalized in the 24th minute on a great bending blast from Clint Dempsey.

 

Federico Higuain provided some magic of his own in the 49th minute on a shot where he moved the ball across the top of the 18-yard box until he found a slim gap in the Seattle defense to launch a blast into the goal.  In the 59th minute, the Crew got their third goal off another flank cross to Kei Kamara.  Meram ran down the left flank and launched a cross that went though Seattle's 6-yard box.  Hector Jimenez tracked it down on the right flank and sent it back into the center, where Kamara skillfully directed it into the net for a 3-1 lead.

 

That turned out to be an important goal because of a controversial goal scored by Seattle in the 75th minute.  Seattle's Clint Dempsey scored his second goal of the night on what looked like a missed offside call by the officials.  After that missed call, Seattle put the pressure on for another equalizer.  But the Crew eventually regained control to salt away the 3-2 win.

 

RECAP W/ VIDEO: http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-05-09-columbus-crew-sc-vs-seattle-sounders-fc/recap

 

ANALYSIS: http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/9/8580811/attack-comes-together-in-columbus-crew-sc-win

Crew terminates contract of homesick Grana

By Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Wednesday, May 13, 2015 - 4:59 AM

 

For the second time in as many years, Crew SC has released a player described as homesick.  Coach Gregg Berhalter said Tuesday that the contract of right back Hernan Grana has been terminated and that Grana will return to his native Argentina to be with his wife and two children.  But unlike midfielder Alvaro Rey, acquired from Toronto via trade last summer, Grana had won a starting spot and established himself as a fan favorite for his passionate play before departing.

 

“The toll of being away from his family and his newborn became too much to bear,” Berhalter said. “It hurts us, obviously, because he was a good player and can make an impact, but I firmly believe that if a player isn’t right mentally and he’s not settled, he’s going to have a difficult time performing. In the end, this was a move that I believe is best for both Hernan and the club.

( . . . )

Grana signed with the Crew on Jan. 23 after playing for 12 years in Argentina.  His wife gave birth to their second child during the preseason, and Grana was allowed to return home for about two weeks.  He returned and earned a spot in the opening-day starting lineup, where he made seven starts through the first eight games.

 

The announcement came three days after Grana was left off the roster for a 3-2 win over the Seattle Sounders at Mapfre Stadium.  He was replaced by Hector Jimenez, who had an assist in his second start. ... Berhalter said Jimenez and veterans Chad Barson and Chris Klute are options to replace Grana until the summer transfer window opens on July 8.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2015/05/12/0512-columbus-crew-hernan-grana-split.html

It's too bad Grana didn't want to stay with the team.  He seemed like an ideal defensive right back for Berhalter's attacking system.  Jimenez is a good replacement though (as evidenced by his good play and one assist in the Seattle win).  This leaves Klute, Barson, Wahl and draft pick Campbell as defensive reserves.  More about the Grana situation from Massive Report:

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/12/8595361/the-right-back-merry-go-round-spins-for-columbus-crew-sc

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/12/8592635/persona-non-grana-crew-sc-fullback-adds-to-drama-after-practice

Preview for tonight's late match (10:30PM start) at San Jose: http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/16/8612965/clash-of-pretties-v-ugliest-on-saturday

 

It will be interesting to see which strategy wins out tonight.  The Crew's "pretty" brand of play has resulted in a league high tie w/ Seattle of 1.67 goals per match.  While San Jose plods along near the league bottom at one goal per match.  But despite the contracting styles, the results have been similar: Crew (4-3-2) vs. San Jose (4-4-2).  The Crew will also try to break out of their road funk this year.  So far the Crew is winless (0-2-2) on the road, while posting a 4-1-0 record at home.

UP-DOWN-UP-DOWN seems to be the pattern for Crew SC lately.  This week at San Jose was definitely in the DOWN category.  And the downest of the downs was Crew midfielder Mo Saeid.

 

Saeid, who has been replacing Wil Trapp in his defensive midfield position, got an early yellow card in the 14th minute when he intentionally grabbed a San Jose player that got past him in a dangerous scoring spot.  Then Saeid got a bit unlucky in the 33rd minute when it looked like he went for the ball at midfield, whiffed on the kick and instead took out the legs of a San Jose player.  That got Saeid another yellow card.  And two yellows equals a red card ejection.  So the Crew would play one man down for the rest of the match.

 

San Jose took advantage with a Wondolowski goal in the 55th minute and then tacked on a second goal five minutes later for the 2-0 win.  With the loss, Crew SC remain winless (0-3-2) on the road this season.

 

RECAP w/ VIDEO: http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-05-16-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-columbus-crew-sc/recap

The Crew have a rare Friday night match with their old rivals from Chicago - 53rd all-time meeting between Columbus Crew SC and the Chicago Fire.  And a bonus with the game being broadcast on National TV (if you consider Univision Deportes to be national TV because most cable/satellite packages probably don't carry it).  But it does count as one of the Crew's three national TV appearances this season (ESPN2 & FoxSports1 being the other two).  Here's some pre-game analysis of tonight's game:

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/21/8640839/crossing-the-touchline-talking-chicago-fire-at-columbus-crew-sc-with

 

http://www.columbuscrewsc.com/news/2015/05/match-notes-crew-sc-vs-chicago-fire

An amazingly frustrating game for the Crew last night.  The amazing part came on another two-goal performance by Kei Kamara.  His first goal came early in the 8th minute when Ethan Finlay had the ball with space right of the Chicago goal.  Finlay's crossing pass was deftly finished by Kamara at point-blank range to put the Crew up 1-0.

 

Kamara's second goal came during the second half in the 55th minute off a Higuain corner kick.  The corner kick was headed along by Kevan George (making his first start this year, replacing the suspended Saeid) from the right side of the 6-yard box to the left side, where Kamara was there to head it into an open net.

 

However, after the Crew went up 2-0, the game started to turn Chicago's way.  In the 58th minute, the Crew got a bit unlucky when a Chicago crossing pass deflected off Parkhurst's foot to a Chicago player in front of the Columbus goal to halve the lead.  Chicago maintained a possession advantage and kept the pressure on for the next 30 minutes until the 4-minute extra time. --- Now, the frustrating part. --- As the final minute of extra time ticked away, it looked like the Crew would get another home win.  But former Crew defender Eric Gehrig launched a high cross into the Crew's 18-yard box that found the head of a Chicago player, who drove it inside the left post to tie it 2-2!

 

This turned out to be the final play of the match.  Chicago steals a point and Columbus gives away two points in the standings.  Adding injury to insult, Finlay (who played another fine game) had to leave after a hard tackle to his leg in the 75th minute and was seen on crutches after the match.  More info on his condition when its available.

 

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS & RECAP: http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-05-22-columbus-crew-sc-vs-chicago-fire/recap

An update on the health of Ethan Finlay.  According reports in the Dispatch and Massive Report, Finlay has a broken toe.  The odd thing about his injury though, was that apparently he suffered it in practice just before last Friday's match against Chicago.  He played very well in that match, until a hard tackle in the 75th minute reaggravated it.  Coach Berhalter thinks Finlay will be available for the next MLS match on Saturday:

 

Crew's Finlay likely to return for MLS play: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2015/05/27/crew-0527.html

 

Columbus Crew SC Winger Hurt but Available: http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/26/8663855/columbus-crew-sc-winger-hurt-but-available

The Crew are entering a busy stretch.  In the next 11 days, Crew SC will play one international friendly match (tonight vs. Valencia) and three MLS matches:

 

- Saturday (5/30) at Orlando

- Wednesday (6/3) at Philadelphia

- Saturday (6/6) hosting Montreal

http://www.massivereport.com/2015/5/27/8675859/columbus-crew-sc-fall-to-valencia-cf-1-0-in-friendly

 

Mid-season international friendlies are sort of a cross between a glorified practice match and a real-time match.  But they do give fans an opportunity to see players that don't normally get playing time during the regular season.  Only Clark and Parkhurst were healthy scratches, along with Finlay (resting his broken toe).

 

- Third-string goalkeeper Brad Stuver got a chance to make some quality saves against Valencia.  Clark was rested and second-string GK Lampson is injured.

 

- The Crew's homegrown signee, 17-year-old Ben Swanson, got to play the last 45 minutes against Valencia in a midfield position.  Swanson is still a full-time high school student, so this marked his professional debut.

In MLS action, the Crew remains at 4th-place (and above the playoff line) in the East, despite a loss and draw in their last two matches.  That will change if the Crew can't generate some road points in their next two matches.  Saturday's opponent - Orlando - is only 2 points behind the Crew.  Next Wednesday's opponent - Philadelphia - is 3 points behind the Crew:  http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings

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