There’s always something new to see at Crew Stadium. This week we sat to the right of the tunnel before the game and learned that there is such a thing as MLS groupies. I hadn’t considered that. It’s also an interesting vantage point for watching warm-ups and pre-game sideline traffic. There’s a lot more going on than I realized. As the game unfolded, we moved to the Nordecke for the first time. It also has its charms. In fact, my boy finally got to field a pass from the t-shirt cannon. After 3 years of no clear-soda love in our season seats, we get the shirt lobbed to us after 10 minutes with the Hooligans. Thanks t-shirt cannon!

There’s a lot to be happy with on the field. The Crew looked dangerous straight out of the gate with two corners, two direct kicks in the offensive end, and one goal all in the first 15 minutes.

RSL’s success this season is largely attributable to the artificial turf at Rice-Eccles Field, but they’ve made some progress building an interesting midfield. In moments and flashes they showed clever passing and strong cooperation, but those moments were rare, especially in the first half. With this loss they fall to 1-8-1 on the road. I just hope they get another road win against New England on October 4. The turf in Gillette Stadium might even things up. Go Xangos! Channel the power of the mangosteen to destroy Taylor Twellman.

RSL’s game against the Crew didn’t leave me with much to say about them even though they controlled the last 25 minutes of the game. Again, I chalk that up to a bad decision by the Crew. At least they’re consistent. I long for the day William Hesmer plays short balls out of the box – on saves and goal kicks – that are directed TO SOMEONE. The Crew’s up 3-0 this week, 2-1 last week, and yet Hesmer is sending rockets way down field that are 50-50 balls at best. Please stop having him do this. In a game where the Crew field players showed an impressive knack accurate passing, what is there to gain from long ball? In this case, RSL got 10 of their 12 shots from this failed strategy. Please fix this Mssrs. Schmid and Kirillov. The man could stop a bullet. His play is as Hesmerizing as a new stadium banner puts it, but the coaches need to consistently work for possession in the second half when the team’s ahead.

I hate to make that complaint when the first half showed excellent control of the ball, dominating possession, and more grace than an underage Chinese gymnast. Hesmer pitched short balls out to Padula, Hejduk, and O’Rourke and avoided any of the confusion and miscommunication of last week. He even had the confidence to roll a ball across the open mouth of the goal to O’Rourke at one point. I swallowed my tongue for a second, but it worked out. The defensive effort in general looked strong. Hejduk and Padula came forward when they needed to but got quick and effective coverage from the midfield when they did so. Brad Evans was stronger on defense than he’d ever been able or commissioned to be in the past. Eddie Gaven and Robbie Rogers also contributed on defense. In the first half, the midfield pressured RSL as they mounted attacks, and the back line played the angles effectively without ever overcommitting to a tackle or run they might not make.

This game’s first half was the most clearheaded defensive performance in quite some time. Danny O’Rourke was solid in central defense. Chad Marshall was a rock. The midfield showed a commitment to the clean sheet. That’s in the first half anyway. In the late second half the defense played well, although they seemed fatigued. The lack of possession really put them on their heals and led to 9 second-half RSL corner kicks. This will turn ugly if not fixed.

Schelotto set up Marshall’s great header in the 15th minute from a direct kick perfectly directed to the back post. A few weeks ago Guille told Shawn Mitchell that on direct kicks into the box he aims for Chad. It seems like a winning strategy with Marshall getting more goals this season than ever before.

In the 25th minute Schelotto scored off of a penalty kick that was certainly earned when Nat Borchers took down Eddie Gaven as he reeled in a great through ball from Guillermo. Gaven crossed the ball that found Brad Evans at the back post in the 55th minute. Gaven missed a header early in the match that probably should have found the net, but he played pretty well all told. If he could put just one of the balls Guillermo is playing to him into the back of the net, I think it would make all the difference for him through the playoffs.

On Evans’s goal you can see Moreno making for the near post while Evans reaches the ball at the back post. Columbus seems to have gotten very consistent in getting in position to make its goals. I think that’s an example of the confidence the team has in one another – especially with Schelotto’s on-field leadership – that makes the Crew a strong contender to stay at the top of the table. That is, of course, if they can hold their improvements in possession all the way to stoppage time.

If Chicago wins they move one point ahead of the Crew into second place in the East as well as the combined table. But, that keeps Columbus within 2 points of first place.

If New England wins, Columbus stays in second place, but the Revs move a total of 5 points ahead of the Crew with a game still in hand.

If they tie, Columbus stays one point ahead of Chicago and within one win of New England.

What’s the best outcome for Columbus? I hate to say it, but I’m rooting for Chicago to get some road points. It’s probably a tough win for them, but there’s enough weakness in New England’s back line I think they might do it.

It’s no fun to lose. I’m most disappointed that the Crew drops to 1.6 Points Per Game, the same figure as Chicago. That’s a slide from 1.8 at the end of June. New England is at 1.9 PPG with two games in hand on the Crew.

Injuries and absences are an easy culprit to blame for the loss. We knew that Hejduk, Rogers, Lenhart, and Ekpo would be out. Miglioranzi not being available was a surprise. In-game injuries for Marshall in the 28th minute and Evans in the 53rd hurt, and really limited what could be done to adjust their look on the field.

I was surprised by the line up. Zayner and Peterson started while Elenio ,who I thought we’d see, didn’t enter the game. Also, Jason Garey sat until the 69th minute. That’s comparable to when Sigi has brought Lenhart on to the field, but looks like a big step away from what he was trying in Colorado. I’d be curious to hear how Sigi would debrief on the tactical decisions on these two games. Clearly you don’t want to come out to play a game like we did in Colorado each week because it usually shouldn’t bring a win.

Offensively the Crew got some great chances. Schelotto and Moreno each had a second-half goal denied by exceptional saves from Pat Onstad. Gaven and Evans each had some chances. You’d hope Evans could get one of those in, but you really can’t fault those touches.

The Crew are off until August 16, so hopefully Evans, Marshall, and Miglioranzi can get healthy. Hejduk and Lenhart are back, but Lenhart’s probably still a sub rather than a starter in Sigi’s scheme. Hopefully Rogers and Ekpo get some professional growth out of the Beijing visit.

There are rumors that the Noonan deal is back on. He’d be available by the 16th as well. The Crew play Western Conference teams to round out August, including an improving FC Dallas twice. The offense with Noonan can get tooled up to face a string of Eastern Conference games to close the playoff bid.

Defensively, we saw Houston’s goals come from the same kind of plays and field position we get killed on week after week. Poor tracking has made balls played to the penalty arc near deadly for the Crew. The defenders and midfielders seemed to come back to defend fairly well, but aren’t applying pressure in the right spots, or aren’t cutting the right angles down to stop shots. Where there had been a lot of standing flat across the penalty area with no depth of defense, now there’s some depth to go with the poor tracking.

It’s not foot speed or clever challenges that’s beating the Crew defense, it’s simple passes and wide open shots. It’s good to see some adjustment since I’d been attributing the problem to coaching, but I think this game gave more credence to personnel issues as a key factor. That should seem odd given that we didn’t see anything like the defensive first team in this game, but the game actually showed that the same kind of errors and attacks are causing weakness regardless of who’s on the field.

So, how can the Crew squeeze the opposing offenses to keep them from converting chances? Some options are 3-5-2, being more defensive-minded in the current 4-4-2, adding to the roster, eliminating errors, or working on controlling midfield possession better?

Last week’s game against the Rapids was the first without Rogers and Ekpo. Sigi debuted a 3-5-2 starting line up with Lenhart up top with Moreno in his first start. Hejduk was moved from defense to the midfield as the fifth man. With Schelotto playing a bit back compared to most games.  I thought it made sense to formalize Hejduk’s position in the midfield since he’s been playing up there for a month. But with Hejduk out does the 3-5-2 still make sense?

Possibly. If they keep the 3-5-2 Jason Garey is going to be as effective as Lenhart up top. In Colorado, Schelotto was teamed in the midfield with Miglioranzi, Gaven, Carroll, and Hejduk. Rookie Corey Elenio looked sharp in the two international friendlies if Sigi wants to make Hejduk’s spot offensive minded. Ezra Hendrickson could get the nod for his experience and a more defensive mindset. 

Brad Evans took a knock to the ankle in Denver and may not be available. Miglioranzi played 45 minutes against the Rapids with Evans playing the other 45. I think bringing a fresh midfielder in at the half is great idea if they both understand that they’re expected to give 90 minutes of effort in 45. Elenio could be kept back for the second half.

If they go back to a 4-4-2 I think we still see Garey up top and Schelotto in center midfield, but Ezra’s a shoe-in on defense, although Jed Zayner seems to have Sigi’s eye.

Enticingly, Sigi barred Shawn Mitchell (everyone really, but Mitchell’s pretty sure he just means him) so that line-up and tactical decision don’t make it into the press before game time. Evidently Sigi felt like the 3-5-2 change should have been hard for the Rapids to adjust to, but since it was in theDispatch before game time, they came out ready to defend against it, effectively shutting down the Crew’s plan of attack. Could Sigi have some nefarious plan of attack up his teutonic sleeve?

Houston made a decent showing when they came to Columbus, showing good attacking play in the second half, although Columbus handled everything they brought. The Dynamo seems to improve measurably as their seasons go on, and they’ve made a good showing in SuperLiga this month. They’re still only a middle of the pack Western Conference team at this point, but they should not be taken lightly. Two factors that may contribute to a Columbus result are that Houston might show some fatigue from their SuperLiga match being just 4 days ago and, All-Star Dwayne DeRosario is out. 

Against Chicago Sigi had Brian Carroll mark up Blanco. Carroll had his best performance of the season. Brian Ching has 7 of Houston’s 19 goals. DeRosario is the only other player with more than one goal. If Carroll can mark up Ching as effectively as he did Blanco, the Dynamo could be done. 

Finally, Columbus has struggled in their attempts to control possession. If they can concentrate on holding the ball and working quality chances forward – play they’ve shown capable of – Columbus could turn a match they probably should tie into a win. 

Lenhart (Miglioranzi)22, Garey (Evans)75

Have you heard the supporters clubs chant “Ricky Bobby” when William Hesmer makes a save? Sunday’s game in Denver gave definitive proof: William Hesmer pisses excellence.

Hesmer was credited with 7 saves, with the 2 best coming in the 12th and 90th minutes. He was clearly the man of the match. He had an exceptional night, but I think his performance also showed that his goals allowed stats are inflated by weakness in the defense rather than in his individual play. Colorado’s Bouna Coundoul, on the other hand, looked as poor last night as he did in Columbus a month ago.

The defensive effort looked better than in previous weeks, but it’s impossible to fully assess the new 3-5-2 formation’s impact since the Crew bunkered after Lenhart was ejected in the 42nd minute. In the first half Columbus was able to defend effectively with the a 3-man back line but struggled to keep possession or control the midfield. Colorado pressed offensively from the starting whistle but O’Rourke, Marshall, and Iro marked up well and were helped by midfielders eager to get back to defend. Defensively, the formation seems to suit them, but it will take another week to see if it sticks. It will make sense next week since Frankie Hejduk will serve a one-game suspension for accumulated yellow cards.

The second half was something of a revelation for me. Being a man down, the Crew bunkered into more of an 8-0-1 formation. Even Moreno dropped back to compress play into the Crew’s defensive third. Only Schelotto was left at midfield to seek out opportunistic attacks. He was replaced by Jason Garey in the 63rd minute.

Columbus crowded the field and really hampered Colorado’s ability to pass, shoot or develop an attack. There was simply no space for an attack. This strategy not only helped bring the shut out, but it seemed to counter balance the effects of the altitude. Late in the second half many Rapids players looked haggard while most of the Crew players seemed fresher than expected. In the last ten minutes the field even opened up for some offensive play from the Crew as the Rapids’ attack wore down.

I actually said out loud at one point, “Oh, that’s what bunkering is supposed to look like.” It seemed to be textbook perfect. If there’s is anything to criticize it would be that they had some chances to hold the ball in the midfield after clearances but didn’t. This was especially evident with Hesmer’s goal kicks which, like every goal kick early in the season, were sent directly to Rapids defenders and came back to the Crew’s defensive third in a matter of seconds. This is a minor criticism since bukering is about playing in your defensive third.

In the last several games where the Crew has looked beseiged in the second half and given up goals it’s possible that they had intentionally moved to a semi-bunkered stance. I sure didn’t get that at the time. And, if that was the intent, they did it poorly.

There’s not much to say about the offense or midfield. We didn’t see Corey Elenio since Sigi brought in first Lenhart, and then Garey as additional forwards. They are both up for Goal of the Week. Lenhart’s goal looked a lot like Espinoza’s goal against the Crew last week, with a well-tracked pass from Miglioranzi that threaded through a tight spot in the defense. Miglioranzi got the nod over Evans and performed well.

Evans came in for Miglioranzi to start the second half. Evans ended up with the assist on Garey’s goal. I like the idea of burning a midfielder in 45 minutes. Evans was carried of the field late in the game possibly with an ankle injury. That might keep Migs in the starting role next week, but it would be a shame to lose Evans given the other challenges in the roster.

Eddie Gaven played 90 minutes and seemed more prepared and on point that I expected after so many weeks out with an injury.

Lenhart worked well with Miglioranzi, Schelotto, and Moreno when the offense did break out but his elbow to Erpen’s face later in the half absolutely required his ejection.

Garey’s goal was amazing to me for one little detail. Garey beat a Rapids defender going into the penalty box but seemed to lose his footing as he closed in on the left post. Coundoul closed in on him. And that’s when it happened. Rather than doing the right thing and shooting with the inside of his left foot, Garey tapped the ball with the outside of his right foot. That impulse made all the difference. Coundoul might have reached a ball from Garey’s left foot, but the right-outside jab changed the angle enough to beat the keeper.

Other than those 2 goals, the offense and midfield were awfully quiet. That was by design in the second half, but in the first half the Crew often failed to make plays. The Rapids had them spread thin and playing a reactive game. How much of that can be attributed to the altitude and how much to the new formation I can’t say. With two offensive starters missing, it might be reasonable to play for the exploitative counterattack but I’d still like to see more emphasis on possession. They lack a sureness early in the last few game that they seem to recover when the pressure really comes on.

This game pulls the Crew within two points of first place, and five points ahead of Chicago. It was a disappointment to tie Kansas City, but I didn’t expect them to win in the mountains. This time next year the Crew will be playing in SuperLiga.

This match was much better attended than the Independiente game a few weeks ago, although there were probably fewer Argentinians. West Ham banners outnumbered Crew banners, and the Hammers chant on par with beer-soaked Belgian monks.

The Crew didn’t start anything like their first team, but it is still humbling to face an EPL side, regardless of the outcome. Top flight is a faster, more dangerous game. Standouts from the visiting East-enders included Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy, and Julien Faubert. Ashton especially looked sharp. Overall foot speed was better and more importantly, they knew just where to be when.

On the Crew side there were some significant appearances. First, this match previewed the side lanes while Rogers and Ekpo serve in the Olympics. Corey Elenio played on the right. Eddie Gaven took the left.

Elenio looked as strong as he did against Independiente. His assist on the Crew’s only goal was wicked. From the right sideline Elenio volleyed a ball to the top of the box perfectly aimed and timed for the head of Jason Garey. A header rocketing in from eighteen yards is a credit to Garey. Executing a precise cross at an opportunistic moment is a greater credit to Elenio. He helped form an attack up top without burying himself behind opposing defenders. We don’t always see that from the first squad. Elenio gave great service on a corner kick or two, outperforming Oughten in that capacity. Elenio still looks a little green: too timid in some cases, too adventurous in others. I think he’ll fill in capably.

It seemed like Eddie Gaven was still a little out of form due to his injury. He seemed to have difficulty finding a rapport with Petersen, Evans, and Lenhart and seemed a step or two off. There was just a tough time linking up on the left. I look forward to him getting back to form.

Brad Evans made a cringe-diculous own goal, but… he still looks like strongest option in the offensive midfield compared to Miglioranzi and Oughten. As I watched Evans step up while Gaven struggled I wondered about moving Evans to the left and bringing Eddie Gaven into the center. Hear me out.

Gaven has speed and seems to be able to distribute the ball well when he’s on form. He might be able help control possession and settle play in the midfield if he were charged with holding the center. Evans attacked and defended sharply near the sidelines and might be able to work with a transition to the wing while Gaven gets his sea-legs and while Ekpo and Rogers are gone.

Although he got pwned by Dean Ashton on West Ham’s first goal, Ezra Hendrickson looks like he might be fit to return to league play. He seemed trimmer and faster than he did at the start of the season. He also improved his accuracy. I think we might see him playing a frequent role in the defense again.

Sigi started to bring in more starters when the Hammers tallied their third goal. The Crew was never able to make it competitive in the second half, but they did play the last 30 minutes to a draw. Bottom line, the Crew have limited personnel choices in August and still need to find an answer to their defensive weakness. Cross your fingers folks.

Well, I’ll be a suck-egg mule.
That should have been 3 points in the bank. you can bet that this game ends up on the Wizard’s highlight reel for the season. They almost doubled their goals on the road and increased their overall goals per game above one. Ohio-State standout Roger Espinoza gets a well-taken scorcher for his first professional goal. The first time he played here he was shown a red card. And Josh Wolfe scores in his first MLS game after a rough two-years in the Bundesliga. In the second half Arnaud, Wolfe, and Lopez looked like they deserved the tie if not a win.

The Crew had 2 games in hand on New England and would have tied for first if they’d gotten all six points. With a loss in Salt Lake and a tie against KC, the Crew’s played as many games as the Revs and is still 5 points back. This was their best chance to catch up. The Crew will be without Ekpo and Rogers until the Olympics are over.

Craziness. For all that, the Crew looked like serious business for a good chunk of the game. They went 22 whole minutes without letting KC score. That’s better. Own goals happen. The Crew made a slightly clearance after a set piece which allowed Morsink to chip the ball into the box, dead center. Hejduk and O’Rourke had Victorine well covered, but Hejduk was a split second slow on heading the ball out wide. The ball hit his head as he pulled back to strike it, and deflected into the corner of the net. A bad break. Espinoza’s goal came just 2 minutes later on a quick counterattack. Jewsbury kept his quick, curving center on the ground and Espinoza made the run to the near post, and hit the ball sharply. The Crew is susceptible to attacks in the middle, and get caught flat on counterattacks. Every team that plays Columbus is going to prep for this kind of attack. There needs to be some sort of adjustments made to keep a playoff berth.

There’s just one thing to say about the rest of the first half: Guillermo Barros Schelotto is a god. Watch the highlights. In just 12 minutes he manufactured 3 goals and brought the Crew into the lead. Guille showed up Hartman while he futzed with the wall on a free kick. Rogers, Schelotto, and Moreno combined on the second goal. And Schelotto laid his best hit corner in weeks directly to Chad Marshall on the third. Those are just the plays that connected though. There were 6 other shots between Columbus’s first goal and the half. Schelotto’s direction on the pitch drove the intensity of the attack with Rogers, Moreno, and Hejduk all stepping up. Well, Hejduk had a couple he probably should have been able to convert. I think he’d be right back on form if he could get a goal at home. He seems to want it so badly he’s psyching himself out.^{(psych out? what is this, 1986?)}

When the first half ended I felt pretty good. We sat above the Nordecke for the first time. The Crew had come back from 2 down in a game they had every reason to win. Four points in 2 games, and closer to first place than third.

And then the second half started. I don’t know if the Crew is addicted to coming from behind, or what, but they seem to really buckle down and play their best kind of game when they’re down. Mind you, this is just since that Galaxy game. Before that they were on it all the time. They have a calmness and intensity that is unrivaled. But against Kansas City they started the second half looking panicked and impatient. They took some of the riskiest chances to move the ball forward.

They played as if they had to scramble and hurry to keep the win and did so to the detriment of possession and composure. When you’re chancing every ball that might advance the ball, you’re giving your opponent easy pickings. Schelotto is unable to coordinate an attack if his side can’t hold onto the ball. Most of the second half was played in the center third or with Kansas City on range of the attack. While the goal they got didn’t seem inevitible, a goal of some kind sure did.

There were a few attacks from the Crew that looked good. Really good. Lenhart had a goal called back for pushing Conrad. Rogers had a try. Moreno had a close one. Brian Carroll hit a ball that must have had a metaphysical reason for not going in. But they were overall too concentrated on countertattck and not focused enough on possession.

Kansas City, on the other hand, looked like they were running a passing clinic in the second half. They held the ball well, moved the ball forward methodically, and should great combinations against a side that looked outclassed despite having played the best 12 minutes in MLS less than an hour before.

Kansas City’s goal came when Danny O’Rourke committed to a ball that maybe he shouldn’t have. But the fact remains that if you can get the ball into the box at center, there’s not going to be a Crew player there to stop you. I want to see what they’re going to do here. I still think they might want to drop to a 3 man back line. It’s counter-intuitive, but it seems less about personnel (although there are weak moments) and more about absorbing attacks coming into the final third. The thing they could and should do to reduce goals against, without personnel or formation changes: Hold the &@#%*# ball.

Any ideas why I might have such a visceral dislike of Michael Harrington? I can’t help but like Jewsbury, but that Harrington kid makes me nuts.

I was going to explain why I chose what I did, but I couldn’t do it without sounding like Yoda. The short form: It’s about the goals. (That reminds me of that overstock.com chick butchering the word gold: “It’s about the goallde.” Just me? Turns out she’s German.)

So here goes:
Home games—-
((Crew Home Goals For * Opponent Away Goals Allowed) – (Opponent Away Goals For * Crew Home Goals Allowed)) + (Crew Home Percentage – Oppenent Away Percentage)

Away games—-
((Crew Away Goals For * Opponent Home Goals Allowed) – (Opponent Home Goals For * Crew Away Goals Allowed)) + (Crew Away Percentage – Oppenent Home Percentage)

Here’s the calc for this Thursday’s Kansas City Game. All of the numbers come from here.

Unweighted: ((1.63 * 1.13) – (.63*1.25)) = 1.0544
Weighted: ((1.63 * 1.13) – (.63*1.25)) + (.668 – .375) = 1.3674

The resulting numbers are basically a predicted goal differential. If the predicted differential is less than -1 the Crew should lose. Greater than 1, they win. Between -1 and 1, they tie. In the above example, Columbus beats Kansas City.

The percentage bit is optional. I was trying to weight the value with the difference in result percentages: teams that win more get a slight bump over teams that win less. The max bump in the league would be for RSL @ New England for .579) Without the weighting the Crew end the season with 49 points. With the weighting it’s 51.

Here’s how the numbers work for the 7/27 game in Colorado (it’s not pretty):
Unweighted: ((1.38 * .63) – (1.88*1.5)) = -1.9506
Weighted: ((1.38 * .63) – (1.88*1.5)) + (.5 – .688) = -2.1386

Here are the games, calculated goal differential (weighted), and predicted result:

Kansas City Wizards 1.3674 W
@ Colorado Rapids -2.1386 L
@ Houston Dynamo -0.908 T
FC Dallas 1.2119 W
Real Salt Lake 2.8643 W
@ FC Dallas -0.0336 T
New England Revolution -0.0247 T
@ Toronto FC -1.843 L
New York Red Bulls 2.5157 W
@ New England Revolution -0.8156 T
Los Angeles Galaxy 1.5206 W
@ Chicago Fire -0.765 T
@ New York Red Bulls -0.769 T
D.C. United 3.0747 W

Again, that’s 24 more points this season, ending with 51. Without the weighting the Crew ties FC Dallas at home and ends the season with 49 points.

I ran the same numbers for New England. Weighted, they end the season with 55 points. Unweighted, 53 points. They lose @Toronto, @Colorado, & @DC. They tie Columbus twice, and tie Chicago and KC. Their wins come against RSL, LA, ChivasUSA, San Jose, and @home vs. DC.

That puts Columbus 4 points shy of the Supporters’ Shield.

So how have I screwed this up? There must be a sabremetrician out there ready to try his luck on soccer. If I were a betting man I’d know how to do this. What’s the line?

On offense, Kansas City has the longest scoreless streak 409 minutes in May and June versus the Crew’s 371 minute drought in the same time period. Those are the 2 longest this year. And that seems to be the bigger part of the problem for the Wizards: they can’t get on the board. Their goal per game average is .93. On the road it slips to .63. If you look through the offensive statistics you’ll find several different Crew players over and over in the top ranks for generating offense: shots, goals, assists, corner kicks, streaks… But Kansas City only has Claudio Lopez and Jack Jewsbury showing up here and there. That’s why they’re bringing Josh Wolff back after he spent 2 years in the Bundesliga second division.

Despite the team’s troubles, Lopez is formidable, and could really make a turn for the Wizards if he and Wolff can make a connection. There’s a good chance of that happening eventually. Wolff’s international and cap experience makes him a good partner for Lopez, but I doubt they connect by Thursday.

KC’s big hope: the Crew defense gives up another early one, and then they have trouble closing the deal on offense. I’ve said enough about defensive issues in Columbus. Some of it’s bad luck, but not all of it. If the Crew can hold possession in the first 15 minutes and not give Kansas City a chance to score it would go a long way toward a win. Getting a goal in the first half should basically put KC to bed. They’ve never won when they conceded the first goal, and they’ve never won when down at the half.

Ekpo went down about 15 minutes in. I didn’t see what happened to him but he was down for a pretty long time holding his side. I was happy to see that he’s not on the injury report. When Ekpo went out, Elenio switched sides and Petersen came in on the left.

You can only learn so much from watching a friendly, but it is nice to see the reserves play on a bigger stage. Gruenbaum was mostly untroubled. He had a little trouble getting over balls he kicked forward. They stayed aloft a long time and came down short of the midfield line. O’Rourke was sharp and relaxed in central defense. Iro seemed a little skittish, possibly thrown by the slow pace. Zayner played aggressively, although some of his balls were off target and he sent a risky ball back to Gruenbaum that could have been a disaster in league play. Junge had very little presence in the game.

Oughten was the only 90 minute player in the midfield, but he seemed a little rusty. Craig Merz reported that he’s been sick. He was joined in the middle by Miglioranzi, who I like, but was outperformed by Evans in the second half. Really, there was almost nothing for Oughten any of the central midfielders to do. Play stayed almost exclusively in the outside lanes the entire game. Elenio was the biggest revelation. He was scrappy, fairly fast, and had a strong sense of the game. He was fairly effective moving the ball down field and made several clever crosses or moves to the inside in the attacking third. Petersen seemed capable, but Sigi tried him as both a midfielder and as a defender. He didn’t have much of an impact, but he didn’t cause any weakness against C.A.I.’s casual play in the first half.

If Lenhart had a little more speed he’d be deadly, as it stands, he is a persistent troublemaker on the attack. He seems like the nicest guy in person, but it the box he’s imposing, pushy, almost bullying fighter. He’s really quite a challenge. His presence is like swaggering hulk Will Ferrell would be if he made a soccer movie.

In the second half they came out with a very different side:
Schoeni
Miller Zayner Hendrickson Petersen
Oughten
Elenio Evans Rogers
Pierre-Louis Garey

Independiente picked up the pace in the second half and looked pretty dangerous, even though the individual player I thought looked best, #8 Gaston Machlin, went out around the 55th minute. #22 looked good too, but I’ve lost track of his name. Their individual ball handling skills were superb. Their players had a confidence and control of the ball that you is not really matched in MLS. They trapped and brought balls to feet better and they passed to feet better than you see in some MLS play.

It was a surprise the Crew won, which they did on counter attacks. But the second half showed more clearly what the first half did: the guys getting the minutes on Saturday nights are sharper, faster, and clearer in their play than the reserves or the off-season visitors.
Elenio still looked pretty good relative to Rogers, and move the ball down field on one of the goals. Garey was opportunistic and became a more troubling presence in the box in the second half. He had Independiente’s goalie fairly unhinged by the end of it.
Ricardo Pierre-Louis seemed nervous. He was fast and aggressive but seemed error prone and inaccurate. It probably will improve his play having been in this match, but I’m not sure if he’s a diamond in the rough or just plain rough.

Hendrickson looked good in central defense. He’s always seemed a blunt instrument to me, and I’d like to see more finesse in his play. Wednesday, he seemed more accurate, confident, and in control than any other defender save Danny O’Rourke.

Brad Evans showed why he gets the start. Even though the ball stayed out of the middle of the field, he created a role for himself shutting down C.A.I. advances down the line.
This worked fairly well until the Argentine side discovered they could break down Ryan Miller and move into the box at will on his side. Their goal came from this strategy and they almost got 2 more the same way. Kevin Burns ultimately replaced him but didn’t play long enough for me to say anything about him.
Schoeni was okay, but seems small in the net. He had some trouble with goal kicks skimming low and being picked off before they reached midfield.

It was a fun night with a great opportunity to scout the reserves.