Pre-match: Columbus Crew SC at Toronto FC; 11/29/17 Leg 2 MLS Playoffs

Is anybody going to a watch party, official or unofficial?

The official one is Miller’s Ale House, consequently the site of my old office.

 

Ah yes. Miller's Ale House and Budweiser. It doesn't get more Authentically Columbus than that.

 

Land Grant has been full of Crew supporters the last two away matches. Rowdy atmosphere and of course some excellent beer choices.

 

Studio 35 will have the match on the big screen.

 

I'm watching at home. Feel free to stop by, but if you bring Budweiser I'll likely tazer you.

 

We're gonna ********in win.

 

My daughter (6 years old) spontaneously broke out into "Columbus is the greatest team the world has ever seen" this morning over breakfast. I believe that was St. Lamar giving her a vision for tonight's game and you can take this one to the bank.

 

I was telling my cat Kaboodle this morning "Columbus *clap, clap clap*; Columbus *clap, clap clap*; Columbus *clap, clap clap*". She just rolled over for a tummy rub...

The sad part is that I may have to miss the final. My favorite aunt passed last night and I'll need to fly to ATL for the funeral.

 

My condolences, Ken. I may have to work a show that day, but I'm gonna try to make it the Final if I have to.

 

Hey Bradley go buy a Mexico Jersey as you watch the Crew play for MLS cup. At least you will have something in North America to cheer for down the road.
****TFC..****Garber **** Precourt

 

Quick, Direct Lethal. TFC will come out and try to catch us early. We'll need to be ready, turn that over and then hit them. What does Ola do best? Get in a position to finish with one touch. He gets those chances when we move with speed. Quick, Direct, Lethal: 1-0 Crew. Then we scramble, scrap and scratch to hold on for the 1-1 draw.

Our captain and his partner need to have a monster game. They'll play an integral part in making both parts of my above scenario come true. Avoiding fouls 30 yards from our goal, making quick outlet passes and limiting Vasquez's options will be deciding factors.

Does Francis get a surprise start at left back because of his speed to stay with Giovinco? Or is he so out of form that a start would be nuts? Obviously that's the only spot in the line-up that is not set in stone. Jiminez is a sold yet unspectacular and likely the slowest of the 3, Raitala sometimes tries to do too much when on the ball deep in our zone so scares me there. If I were guessing, I'd say Jiminez gets the start.

Let's win the whole F***ing thing!

 

Ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy aaaaayyyy Bradley
OOH AHH
I wanna knowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Will you please go die!

repeat

 

I really like Waylon - but if he gets in, it won't be because of his speed. I'm pretty sure he is our slowest back - and I certainly would not see him trying to mark out Sebastian from his left back position. We seemed to put Artur on him earlier this year. And although he didn't stop him, his quickness seemed to definitely help neutralize his impact. That not being an option tonight - I'm not sure what we will do there. Regardless of other legitimate views on this, I still believe SG is their most dangerous weapon.

 

You're right, the right back is not likely to man-mark Giovinco, I didn't really mean it that way. Giovinco tends to slice into the wide channels, turning to the inside with the ball from deep areas near the corner flag. That is where our right and left backs will find themselves matching up with him.

 

I have said
5 Lord Guillermo's Prayers
3 Hail Frankie's
Given JoDude his customary shot of beer.
and stuck pins in my Garber and Precourt voodoo dolls. What is left to do?

 

Prep your liver, because either way this night is going to tax it

 

Pour a bottle of maple syrup down the drain, to nurture the canucks after the Crew does the same?

 

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in Columbus now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.


(Oddly enough, Eddie Gaven's birthday IS St. Crispin's Day)

 

We're going to try DogTap tonight. See what that is like for a game.

 

Trying to decide if I'm heading to Dayton Beer Co. or watching from home.

 

Probably about as close as you can get - considering that nothing in history could adequately compare to the drama and horror of our plight.

 

A dog would have barked "Bradley" over and over. Stupid mutts.