So... are we really this good?

Any Crew fan who witnessed last night's golazo bonanza can't help feeling a little ecstatic. It was a magnificent display of balls-to-the-wall attacking soccer. But given the way things have gone in Crewville the last few years, I can't help but wonder if this really is the dawn after a long, dark nightmare, or a setup for the ultimate kick in the balls. First, let's have a look at the evidence for the former:

We might actually have an offense this year. *HardestWorkingFan vigorously knocks on his wooden desk* Robbie Rogers, who last year showed promise, is this year showing some stuff. He gave the Goat's defense fits and put away two goals. Yeah, the second was a gift from Guzan, but considering that we've been on the receiving end of our share of shit deals over the last few years, I think we can ignore that small fact. I think Sigi's prediction of ten goals might be a bit lofty, but he looks like he could be a threat down the left wing.

Alejandro Moreno will score at least ten goals this year. You can all quote me on that. Guillermo Barros Schelotto is one of the top offensive talents in the league. Eddie Gaven, while he still isn't lighting it up like we all believe he is capable of doing, has been adequate. Brian Carroll and especially Adam Moffatt seem capable of anchoring the attack from the center of the park. Defense and goalkeeping, barring a few isolated stretches that have destroyed our numbers, have typically not been our problem the last several years. We just haven't been able to score goals. We now, finally, might be able to.

Now for the negatives:

First and foremost, this enthusiasm is almost entirely off of one match. We maintained a quality attack against a good team for virtually the entire second half, but it's still just one match. A whole season is an entirely different matter altogether.

Second, we have no idea whatsoever how the bench will respond the inevitable injuries and international absences of various players, particularly Gaven and Rogers, who likely will be gone at the Olympics for at least a couple of matches. Can Nico Hernandez pick up a decent amount of the slack? There is really not much evidence to suggest that he will. Along with Hernandez, we have a group of unproven players. Maybe they'll fill in very well, maybe they won't. It's a huge question mark.

So will the Crew lead us to the promised land this year, or will they deliver yet another swift kick or ten to the testicles? I'm going to party down and bask in the glory of our four goal barrage, though I will, however, be wearing a cup.