3/20/09: Game 1- Crew vs Dynamo Preview- Crew Gameday Concerns Vs. Gameday Positives

What game changer will lead their side to opening day glory? (Pics by Martin Fernandez & MLS respectively)

Game starts: 7 p.m. in Houston, 8 p.m. in Columbus. Pre game starts on FSC at 7:30. Claim your favorite bar stool at Ruby's or Claddagh's at least by 7.
Game time temperature: 73 degrees
Referees: Tim Weyland. SAR (bench): Paul Scott; JAR (opposite): Greg Boles; 4th: Edvin Jurisevic
Expected Lineups Via MLSNET Game Guides:

GAMEDAY CONCERNS:

1.) The Last Time The Crew Looked Awful

The last time the actual Crew first team lost a game and looked awful was at Robertson Stadium against the Houston Dynamo on August 2nd, 2008. The Crew lost the game 2-0 and looked completely frustrated. However, they went on to rally after that to 11 wins, 3 ties and 1 loss. The 1 other loss was on turf against the Red Bulls and included mostly reserves as Sigi rested his top boys in advance of the playoffs.

One thing worth betting is that the Crew starters know that the last time they really got beat in MLS competition was in Houston. They can either have that affect them positively or negatively, either way playing in Houston hasn't been much of a positive or negative harbinger. The Crew in it's previous two appearances at Robertson got 1-1 ties in their visits in 2006 and 2007. Not bad against the then champions. However, still the Crew has yet to be successful at conquering Robertson Field with a victorious result.

I'm sure Warzycha knows it. I'm not sure how many of the players know or care because of the turnover. But, it's a motivating point worth mentioning and it could establish the changing of the championship guard as the Crew searches for a repeat like the Dynamo have achieved in 2007.

Last time we played Houston:


2.) Carroll and Ekpo, Match Made In Heaven Or Elsewhere?

I'm of the impression that Brian Carroll makes his midfield partner in the center of the pitch look better no matter who is playing there. Carroll as defensive midfielder cleans up the mess and is the first line of defense and offense getting the ball cleared to Rogers and company who are making the runs. Carroll also doesn't seem to have the word 'mistake' in his vocabulary but will need help defensively at times from his other central midfielder. As long as Carroll gets some of that, it's almost a foregone conclusion that Brian "Batman" Caroll will get along famously with his Robin. No matter if his partner in protecting the midfield is Moffat (him and Carroll were like two peas in a pod), or Evans who comes in as a question mark and seemingly transitions into a game changer.

Will Ekpo transition into a game changer? We have definitely seen flashes in 2008 and Ekpo has the ability to change the field offensively. But, Ekpo must not slack on his defensive responsibilities. If Ekpo does he won't be on the field for long once Moffat gets back.

3.) Acclimatization Plan Didn't Work and Travel Overload

The Crew had there last round of preseason training against St. Edwards University and The Austin Aztex in Austin, Texas last week to hopefully acclimatize to the 75 degree heat the Crew will face in the game against the Houston Dynamo tomorrow. Unfornately during the Crew's time in Austin it was 40 degrees and rainy. Also, the plan could have backfired as the Crew spent 6 days in Austin, came back to Columbus for 3 days, then back to Texas for 3 starting on Thursday.

The Crew has been to Florida, England, Texas, and now back to Texas. Talk about racking up the frequent flyer miles. What may have been a better idea would have been for the Crew to play two teams closer to them, maybe even at CCS instead of traveling away to Austin. The Crew could have arranged easily a friendly with the Cleveland City Stars, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, or Michigan Bucks which are much closer and probably much better competition (at least in regards to St. Edwards), and that way the team doesn't get so much jet lag this early.

The Crew players are professionals and probably used to it. I just have to think that the Austin trip was some overplanning that backfired and may lead to some exhaustion too early in the season. If the Crew wanted to get acclimatized, instead of going to Austin all they had to do was leave early as they ended up doing anyways.

4.) Getting Off To A Quick Start

The Crew started off the 2008 season with a 6-1 mark before hitting their first snag in the season by going 1-4-1 in their next five. The unbelievable start allowed the Crew to stumble and still be able to pick up the pieces and then some.

The Crew have to set the tone early and show that 2008 wasn't a one off fluke. The Crew have to be keyed in from the get go and need to get wins now in the season when the schedule is the least congested. Because once Open Cup and CONCACAF rolls around it's going to become much harder to clear the table and take maximum points every weekend, win now and win often when we are as fresh as we are likely to be. Doing so leads to less problems and pressure later. Also, more of a possibility of repeating as Supporters Shield winners and guarenteeing a playoff spot before the last two weeks of the season.

5.) Houston Players To Watch Out For:
I'm going to say the three players that could hurt the Crew are Stuart Holden, Ricardo Clark, and even Corey Ashe. If I was Kinnear I would play Ashe as this was the best play in the Atlante game (below) and he may still fly underneath the Crew's radar. I believe that Marshall will have no problems with Ching.



I believe Houston's best chance is to get a quick goal from a run out of midfield and then to play bunker against the Crew in the second half and try to frustrate and wear out the Crew in the hot sun.

GAMEDAY POSITIVES:

1.) Houston Comes Into The Game With More Question Marks Then The Crew

Kei Kemara gets suspended and will be replaced by the less dangerous Brian Mullan. The Houston defense looked shaky in preseason against Atlante with players like Julius James and Bobby Boswell somewhat manning the backline. Also, against Atlante it seemed like the Dynamo missed that midfield creativity provided by Dwayne De Rosario and haven't got much in return with Julius James as a defender and no other midfield general type replacements on the horizon. Brian Ching also looked a mess in preseason missing a open net header against Atlante (in same clip above), if Ching isn't into the game the Dynamo will not have much of an attack with Brian Mullan alone.

2.) Confidence

Warzycha said on CrewXtra and in this Mitchell article that after practice on Wednesday he is confident that the Crew are playing with that intensity that he saw in 2008. Hopefully, the Crew are going to turn it on exactly at the right time as champions usually do. Schelotto also seems very confident and the Crew need a big game out of him to lead the way tomorrow in a sunny Houston. A sunny Houston that will probably remind Guille of playing in Boca.


Schelotto with former Boca coach Carlos Bianchi at MLS Cup 2008.

Also, on paper I believe the Crew has a much better defense, a much better midfield overall with De Rosario now with the snow monkeys, and even a much better attack. If I was a defense I would be much more concerned with Moreno holding the ball and having Rogers, Ekpo, Gaven, and Schelotto making runs through. Then an easy man marking job with Ching and Mullan. Ching just isn't going to beat Marshall in the air and Mullan is just average. They lack the speed to get behind the Crew's defense.

3.) Same Team, Same Mentality, Different Year

The Crew have brought back 10 out of 11 starters. Evans has gone to Seattle but Ekpo or Moffat might be better for the position anyways. Sigi won us our first trophy, but Warzycha has been with the organization since it's inception and knows what needs to be done to win. So, let's get it done starting Saturday.

4.) Depth

Moffat and Noonan won't be playing but it seems to be no problem with this solid lineup:
------------Moreno---------------
------------Schelotto------------
Rogers-------Ekpo-----------Gaven
------------Carroll--------------
Padula--O'Rourke--Marshall-Hejduk
------------Hesmer---------------

Depth switches to a concern next week as starters Moreno and Hejduk play for their national teams on the FIFA date. I would expect either Lenhart or Garey at forward and Iro at O'Rourke's position and O'Rourke out wide. That will be a much bigger test.

5.) Crew Players To Watch Out For:
I would say Rogers is going to have a big game on the left side against the less experienced and less talented Geoff Cameron along with the not exactly quick footed veteran Richard Mulrooney. If I was the Crew I would try to expose that side by also having Schelotto shade over that way at times to feed crosses into the middle. Boswell and James are nowhere near as good in the air or confident as Marshall and O'Rourke respectively. If the Crew can expose that left flank then the Crew should have a big day with crosses down the middle to the heads of Marshall and company.

I also expect a big day out of Ekpo as he has to show that he belongs with the rest of the starters. Might be a restless Friday night for him.

6.) Make Us Proud & Continue That Momentum
We'll be watching at Ruby's and Claddagh's, come home with a win. Then celebrate with us at Claddagh's Monday night and Ruby's Tuesday night with team events. Then let's take a big one against rivals TFC next week on the field and in the stands and get this season started correctly. Got to continue that championship momentum.

Predictions: Crew win 4-1.
Goals by Rogers, Ekpo, Marshall, Schelotto. Then a goal by Stuart Holden. It stays close and choppy in the first half with the two sides exchanging goals and feeling out the competition. Then the Crew get it together in the second half and just make a statement, as the divide between the defending champion Crew and the previous champion Dynamo happens to be larger then it ever has been from the defense to up top.


Overall, expect Ching to be paddle-less on Opening Day(Pic by: Allen Mozo)