Crew vs. New York Thoughts

Crew must pick themselves up next week for DC United or it could be a shorter than expected playoffs. No reason to panic as the Crew played alot of reserves, just need to get back to doing what the Crew are used to doing next week. (AP photo/Bill Kostroun)

--Going into this game. I wasn't very excited or up for it. Everyone at Ruby's was laid back and sort of laughing at the terribly played first half by both sides. So, I wonder how different the players attitudes were? When a bunch of intense fans are sort of having that reaction, I can't really expect the players to be on top of their games either. The Crew and even us fans need to focus on getting back that edge next week.

To the game action:
--Ekpo who usually takes people on (that is a good thing) played like back pass Elliot in the first half. I at least counted 20 times he passed the ball back in the first half. It was good to see him actually take people on more in the second half.

--When I saw Ezra out there, I was pretty sure that we were not going for the win. Nor, were the Crew about to be associated with anything to do with winning. I hear he is a good guy but that doesn't necessary associate to him still being a good player. Sorry, but, it's time to retire after this season.

--The whole first half was laughable. What's more laughable was the Crew were somehow still in the game at 0-0. I seriously thought that I was watching a high school game. Any playoff intensity that you saw in DC on Thursday or in Toronto earlier in the day, wasn't present by even the Red Bulls in New York for that game.

Btw, I'm pretty sure that's more embarrassing for the Red Bulls against a half strength Crew team with nothing to play for.

--When Ezra has your best scoring opportunity in the first half, it's good just to have a laugh. We are already in, we had half of our starters on their couches back in Columbus (not sure if that was a good call). But, anyways I couldn't take this game too serious from the word go.

--Guillermo was like what the heck Sigi? You let all the other starters have a night with their wifeys and girlfriends back in C-bus and I'm coupled with Lenhart?

--Btw, even though Lenhart had a goal somehow. He looked awful in this game and lost for major portions of it.

--The whole team looked like a bunch of players unfamiliar with the idea of playing with each other. Which makes sense since Gaven, Rogers, Hesmer, Hejduk, Marshall, and Moreno were on hiatus.

--We may have depth off the bench, but they only seem to be worthwhile coming off the bench. Plus, I think we are 14 solid players deep. Not 17 or 18 that were required to make these wholesale changes and this game winnable.

--So, if Sigi wants to have a second side for Superliga and Champions League next year. Play all the reserves together and all the starters together. I don't think our depth is that bad if it's all the reserves who are familiar with playing together. I think our problem last night was mixing and matching.

And, I don't think that our reserves, even Andy G., Lenhart, Garey, Ekpo, or Noonan, are that far of a drop down. Especially Ekpo and Noonan. I just believe thay all had really bad nights. The usual starters of GBS, Gino, and Caroll were not really with it either.

--So, turf with six wholesale changes is just asking for trouble. But, I don't even think that was our problem. Somehow without playing too well we were still in it. After our goal we seemed like we were starting to get it together. If Ekpo converts soon after Lenhart's header, we are up 2-1 and I think we go on to win. However, NYRB converted. On the second NYRB goal, Andy G. probably shouldn't have came out for that either. He got stuck in nowhere land and all Angel had to do was push it past him. Andy G. should never come out for that matter. A lack of concentration in the second half overall though is what cost us a tie.

--Also if Ekpo scores his brillant chance in the second half or GBS doesn't pass the ball in the first. I think we come away with a 2-1 win without playing well at all.

So, really with back ups, it wasn't as bad as it looked.

--Nevertheless, I hope Sigi just goes back to the regular lineup next Sunday. We need to get back our confidence going into the playoffs or it could be a shorter than expected playoffs.

--But, I really don't think the team lost any confidence. Hell, half the starters were not there. I think the Crew just approached this game as a throw away game. Nothing Chicago or New England hasn't been doing for weeks. Let's just not make it a habit.