Columbus Crew SC (2008, 2020, 2023 MLS Champions)

[BuckTwenty]

Columbus and Chivas USA played to a 3-3 tie yesterday in BY FAR the most entertaining game of the year. 'Twas also the first rain-free, warm home game of the season. Mendoza scored two, both in the run of play, and Ekpo, though putting no fewer than 4 shots over the bar on my count, put his first between the pipes yesterday. If it wasn't for some absolute lethargic defense, this could have been a really nice win.

I'll definetly take the home tie though thanks to the offensive outburst. Our offense really needs the confidence, and this was a good showing. O'Rourke and Francis can't get here soon enough though...

 

[TooTall]

Columbus and Chivas USA played to a 3-3 tie yesterday in BY FAR the most entertaining game of the year. 'Twas also the first rain-free, warm home game of the season. Mendoza scored two, both in the run of play, and Ekpo, though putting no fewer than 4 shots over the bar on my count, put his first between the pipes yesterday. If it wasn't for some absolute lethargic defense, this could have been a really nice win.

I'll definetly take the home tie though thanks to the offensive outburst. Our offense really needs the confidence, and this was a good showing. O'Rourke and Francis can't get here soon enough though...

Go figure, since I wasn't there... The weather was all nice and shit. :(

 

[IronBuckI]

In every game that I've watched, the right and left backs have been pretty bad. I know that Mendoza scored twice, but there was really no excuse for him not finishing Heinemann's near goal in the first half. All he had to do was stick a foot out, and that ball doesn't get cleared with half of the ball already over the line.

One striker up top = can't score

Two strikers up top = can't stop anyone.

I too am hoping for some help from Francis and O'Rourke, but we also need more consistent tackling from the midfield.

Even when we were shutting people out, I didn't see the dominant defense that the scoreline suggested...just really bad offenses.

 

[BuckTwenty]

The Crew managed a tie at NYRB thanks to a 92nd minute goal by rookie Rich Balchan on his first career MLS shot, assist by fellow rookie 1st rounder Justin Meram. 2nd time we've played NYRB while they were SEVERELY undermanned (only dressed 15 players for the game thanks to national team call-ups and injuries) and managed an extremely lackluster tie. Very disappointing, but glad we held NYRB to 1 point. The point did nothing for the Crew, but the late goal in fantastic fashion on the road ought to boost morale in the locker room going into next week.

I can say without question we have MLS's worst DP in Andres Mendoza. Could not hit the broad side of a barn tonight, despite having two amazingly set-up shots. Heineman (sp?) was not much better, failing on a 1 v 1 breakaway with the goalkeeper. Should have been 3 goals with those 3 chances. Would love to see Meram get some more time, either off the bench or starting. His energy was contageous and I love the way he runs at the other team. And Dilly Duka, despite injuring his foot or ankle and having to be subbed out, had his best game yet in a Crew kit, replacing Robbie Rogers. Duka and Meram were dangerous tonight. Wish they could have been on the field together at the same time. Shuan Francis came off the bench in this game, which was a great sign, but looked as rusty as a bucket of bolts.

Two home games this week... Wednesday at 9pm against Real Salt Lake under the lights, and Sunday at 4pm against Chicago. I believe the Wednesday game is a Buck-a-brat night, but not completely sure. Bad blood between Columbus and both of these teams, so it ought to make for a great week of soccer here at home.

(Note: At the video at the link, love Shep Messing [voice of the NYRB] saying "I'm gonna be sick" after Balchan scores the goal)

 

[AKAK]

The Crew managed a tie at NYRB thanks to a 92nd minute goal by rookie Rich Balchan on his first career MLS shot, assist by fellow rookie 1st rounder Justin Meram. 2nd time we've played NYRB while they were SEVERELY undermanned (only dressed 15 players for the game thanks to national team call-ups and injuries) and managed an extremely lackluster tie. Very disappointing, but glad we held NYRB to 1 point. The point did nothing for the Crew, but the late goal in fantastic fashion on the road ought to boost morale in the locker room going into next week.

I can say without question we have MLS's worst DP in Andres Mendoza. Could not hit the broad side of a barn tonight, despite having two amazingly set-up shots. Heineman (sp?) was not much better, failing on a 1 v 1 breakaway with the goalkeeper. Should have been 3 goals with those 3 chances. Would love to see Meram get some more time, either off the bench or starting. His energy was contageous and I love the way he runs at the other team. And Dilly Duka, despite injuring his foot or ankle and having to be subbed out, had his best game yet in a Crew kit, replacing Robbie Rogers. Duka and Meram were dangerous tonight. Wish they could have been on the field together at the same time. Shuan Francis came off the bench in this game, which was a great sign, but looked as rusty as a bucket of bolts.

Two home games this week... Wednesday at 9pm against Real Salt Lake under the lights, and Sunday at 4pm against Chicago. I believe the Wednesday game is a Buck-a-brat night, but not completely sure. Bad blood between Columbus and both of these teams, so it ought to make for a great week of soccer here at home.

(Note: At the video at the link, love Shep Messing [voice of the NYRB] saying "I'm gonna be sick" after Balchan scores the goal)

For you kids watching the link at home... THAT is how you trail an attack by Balchan, and that's how you look for it by Meram. Messing is a bit right in Criticizing Cassel but whoever 22 is went to the line of attack and lost track of Balchan...

 

[OHSportsFan]

Hell yeah Richie!

 

[BuckTwenty]

For you kids watching the link at home... THAT is how you trail an attack by Balchan, and that's how you look for it by Meram.

Via the Columbus Dispatch:

"I knew the game was coming to an end and I saw Justin make a beautiful run," said Balchan, who hit a sliding one-timer for the equalizer about 30 seconds before the final whistle.

"I figured whatever was left in me, I would just make the run and leave it all on the field."

Amen, AKAK.

whoever 22 is went to the line of attack and lost track of Balchan...

That would be Steven Keel. He had the pleasure of "guarding" Chad Marshall on set pieces every time by grabbing his jersey and keeping him from jumping to get a header on frame. Hack. I would call his defending of Balchan karma.

 

[TooTall]

Crew playing Real tonight. Down 1-0 for most of the game. Marem drew a PK, which apparently was supposed to be Cunningham's kick, Mendoza took it anyways and still scored. Bad things may be brewing on this team, for the good though. Mendoza had no right taking that other than the fact that he's the designated player. Game tied in the 79th minute, 1-1.

 

[TooTall]

2-1 CREW!!!!!! Gardner scores on a shot taken well outside the box which was barely deflected enough to throw the goalie off. What a turn of events.

 

[IronBuckI]

It sucks when you're using an OTC PED and still can't log any minutes with the first team.

thecrew.com

MLS suspends, fines Josh Williams

MLS suspends, fines Crew's Williams for testing positive for illegal substance



Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced today that he has suspended and fined Columbus Crew player Josh Williams for violating the MLS Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health (SABH) Policy by testing positive for methandienone metabolites, a prohibited performance-enhancing substance.

cont'd

 

[IronBuckI]

Excellent result from the Crew Saturday night to get their first road win of the season, and to take sole possession of third place in the east.

 

[BuckTwenty]

And now Columbus is tied for 2nd in the East and two points back from 1st! 4-1 win at home over last year's MLS Cup winner Colorado, thanks to a brace from Andres Mendoza (6th and 7th of the season), and one apiece from Tommy Heineman (1st of the season) and Eddie Gaven (2nd of the season). Mendoza is now 1 goal shy of the league lead in goals. Crew has won 3 of their last 4 and has won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Next game is July 2nd at FC Dallas.

The young'uns are really playing well this year, especially our rookies out of the draft. Meram, Balchan, and Anor ought to be mainstays with the team for a looooong time. Once Columbus gets healthy on both sides of the ball, watch out. So much for this being a rebuilding year... this team looks like they are really motivated.

 

[IronBuckI]

And now Columbus is tied for 2nd in the East and two points back from 1st! 4-1 win at home over last year's MLS Cup winner Colorado, thanks to a brace from Andres Mendoza (6th and 7th of the season), and one apiece from Tommy Heineman (1st of the season) and Eddie Gaven (2nd of the season). Mendoza is now 1 goal shy of the league lead in goals. Crew has won 3 of their last 4 and has won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Next game is July 2nd at FC Dallas.

The young'uns are really playing well this year, especially our rookies out of the draft. Meram, Balchan, and Anor ought to be mainstays with the team for a looooong time. Once Columbus gets healthy on both sides of the ball, watch out. So much for this being a rebuilding year... this team looks like they are really motivated.

Very impressive game last night, and I agree about the young guys. I really like the energy and effort that Meram and Balchan bring. Anor has been a nice surprise the last couple of matches too.

I know that a lot of people like to bag on Rogers (deservedly so) but with his return, out attack should only get better. What I saw the last couple of weeks is that the young guys getting experience was invaluable, but Rogers seems to be the only one that plays the Left mid/winger position, and has a left foot. Meram and Anor both rely heavily on their right foot, and I don't think that I've seen a cross from the left since Rogers left for the Gold Cup.

Should be an exciting playoff run going forward.

Anyone going to the Cup match Tuesday night?

 

[IronBuckI]

The Crew go down to Richmond 2-1 in the US Open Cup. I'm a little torn about this. It sucks to lose to a lower division team, and to lose one of the four chances at qualifying for CONCACAF Champions League, but this team has so many injuries, and is already spread thin, and playing a lot of young guys, that I'm not sure that not having to play 3+ extra games this season really hurts us all that much.

 

[BuckTwenty]

I want to say its a blessing in disguise, but I think the extra games for our younger guys would have been invaluable to them.

Injuries are killing us right now, despite the back-to-back wins. Renteria, Francis, Duka, Griffit, James, O'Rourke is almost back to seeing some time out there after missing the first half of the season, and I hear Hesmer's a little dinged up right now too.

I could almost guarantee Rogers is going to sit the bench this Saturday at Dallas after his performance against Richmond, especially with how Gaven, Ekpo, Anor, and Meram have played in the middle and out wide as of late. Warzycha seemed particularly disappointed in how he played, especially just getting back from national team duty.