2009 Columbus Crew Season Preview: Midfield

By: Matt | March 19th, 2009

This is the third installment of a position by position look at the 2009 edition of the Columbus Crew. The reigning MLS Cup Champions begin to defend their title on March 21st in Houston and then come home to Columbus to take on Toronto. Let’s examine what the black and gold will be working with this season and what those filling each position will need to do to keep those black and gold ribbons on the MLS Cup.

Sigi Schmid’s 4-5-1 certainly emphasized the midfield for the Crew last season, and Robert Warzycha is not likely to change that emphasis. With five midfielders on the field, guys like Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Robbie Rogers are going push up and create opportunities, while whoever fills the other three spots between Adam Moffat, Emmanuel Ekpo, Brian Carroll, Eddie Gaven, and Pat Noonan will have to both track back and stop counter attacks by the opposing team, as well as start Crew breaks and offense. Of course the Columbus Crew revolve around the play of Guillermo Barros Schelotto, but the rest of the midfield but keep their assignments to give Schelotto the freedom he needs to thrive. Last season, the Crew’s midfield controlled the center of the pitch and gave Schelotto and Rogers the freedom they needed. The midfield for the Crew yet again this season will have to be both the first line of defense, as well as the beginning of Columbus’ offense.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto-Obviously, pretty much all of Columbus’ offense revolves around Schelotto GBS gets his share of goals, but he really shines creating chances for others. Whether it be off free kicks, corner kicks, or open play, Schelotto’s ball seems to be magnetically attracted to the black and gold. After a solid preseason, expect to see the mulleted Argentinian at the center of the Crew’s play this year again.

Robbie Rogers-The former Maryland Terrapin had a break out year in 2008. Goals like this against NYRB on ESPN2 announced the young winger’s intentions of become one of the elite of the MLS. While Rogers has a creative flare and a great goal scoring ability, Rogers also had a tendency to disappear during games as well. Not exactly the biggest player on the pitch, teams that played a physical style seemed to contain Rogers and he seemed lost. If Robbie Rogers can put together a more consistent year, then he is well on his well to a MLS Best XI spot and perhaps a trip across the ocean to Europe.

Brian Carroll-Those familiar with my work on the Celtic Offside know that I am big fan of good holding defensive midfielders. The Scottish game tends to *ahem* maybe lack flare and fancy footwork at times (though Aiden McGeady brings all of that, but I digress), but the key to success in the SPL is a midfield that is going to control the area, stop counters, win tackles, headers, and be able to find the attacking players with a good first pass. My personal man crush is on Barry Robson of Celtic, who I think fits all of those characteristics. Brian Carroll definitely fits this role for the Crew. Carroll takes names and kicks ass in the midfield. He can win tackles, find guys like Schelotto and Rogers to start attacks, and also stop the attack of the opposing team. While he’s not going to score a bag of goals, there is a reason that Carroll started 30 games last season and will start a good amount again.

Best of the rest: Most likely the previous three midfielders will be stalwarts of the midfield. The other spots will be filled by a combination of Pat Noonan, Emmanuel Ekpo, Adam Moffat, and Eddie Gaven. I would expect all three to get significant minutes with CONCACAF Champions League, US Open Cup, and regular season MLS matches.