PBP: Columbus @ Toronto, (3/3, 1pm, MLS Matchday 1)

hardhead · Feb 25, 2018

It's time for the first match of the season. With the future of the Crew in Columbus still unresolved, this season is bound to go down in history.

2018 begins where 2017 ends: Toronto. Our last match there ended in an unsurprising but still heartbreaking 1-0 loss.

The roster has seen significant turnover, but still retains several key contributors in the starting lineup. However, outside a potential upgrade at LB (Valenzuela), other roster spots have not improved (Zardes vs. Kamara; Martinez vs. Meram). Other starters could be improved due to a healthy preseason with the squad (Artur, Santos). Several potential starters have been out the last few pre-season matches recovering from injury (Sauro, Williams, Grella, Hansen). I feel confident with this as our starting lineup, but the rest seems uncertain.

Projected Starting lineup: Steffan; Valenzuela, Abubakar, Mensah, Afful; Martinez, Trapp, Artur, Santos; Higuain, Zardes

Bench: (?) Kempin; Jimenez, Crognale; Abu, Clark, Sosa, Opoku; Jahn

Not dressed: (?) Ketterer; Maloney

Injury: (?) Sauro (Knee), Williams (Achilles), Grella (Knee), Hansen (Hamstring)

TV: ABC6 in Columbus (Broadcast) [updated]
STREAMING: Mlssoccer.com, blackout rules unknown!
RADIO: Unknown. Youtube.com audio maybe?

I have no idea how I'm going to be able to watch this match, yet.

puttputtfc · Feb 25, 2018

I hope we take the Trillium Cup shine it up real nice, turn the son of a bitch sideways and shove it straight up Garber's candy ass!

hardhead · Feb 25, 2018

According to this, first two matches will be broadcast in Columbus on ABC:
According to @TVPassport, the first two games of the season will be aired on ABC 6. #SaveTheCrew

3/03 - @ Toronto - 1PM
3/10 - vs. Montreal - 1PM pic.twitter.com/IVv8axQ21I
— Christian Pereira ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@CrewSoccer96) February 25, 2018

It is still unclear if there will be any blackout restrictions and how exactly to stream the match. MLS is being decidedly opaque about their ESPN+ streaming deal. It's clear that MLS Live doesn't exist as a paid service, but some reports say they'll stream all matches on MLS Live until ESPN+ goes live.

Sagz · Feb 25, 2018

Can we get an option to vote for <No matter the score ******** Precourt>

kgilbert78 · Feb 25, 2018

Sagz said: ↑

Can we get an option to vote for <No matter the score ******** Precourt>
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When Mrs. KG saw our tickets in the mailbox, her first thought was F** U Precourt.

Hamburgler03 · Feb 25, 2018

New Crew

Lose by Two

hangthadj · Feb 25, 2018

We're gonna win.

chr1st · Feb 25, 2018

hangthadj said: ↑

We're gonna win.
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Has the first @hangthadj Guarantee™ of the season been activated?

EDIT:
Lose by two.

CrewMak · Feb 26, 2018

Is there a Columbus contingent going to this match? Anyone know the BMO Field section for Columbus Supporters?

DrunkandDisorderly · Feb 26, 2018

Fcuk it, win by two!

kgilbert78 · Feb 26, 2018

hangthadj said: ↑

We're gonna win.
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If the Iggles can win the Super Bowl....

CrewV Man · Feb 26, 2018

Altidore pulls a hammy. Giovinco dives. Bradley whines.

Lose by 1.

ibrew · Feb 26, 2018

Bradley has a small contingent of brain cells. Bob seems like a thinker. Michael, not so much.

TrueCrew · Feb 26, 2018

With Williams & Sauro both out/not fit, I think the 352 is out the window.

Agree with hardhead's lineup.

Though it is customary to list the RB first, not LB. As RB is the #2.

TRUJDUB · Feb 26, 2018

Hopefully Santos really picks up his production. I really like Martinez and I think Grella if healthy is a good option. But I would prefer the younger guy to win the job as it would be better for us long term.

We are rumored to still be after more attacking players.?When will the window actually close?

I think we can steal a draw in this gm. Would love a win but I can’t see it.

hardhead · Feb 26, 2018

Updated main post with ABC6 confirmed as telecast venue

968174671295283201 is not a valid tweet id

TrueCrew said: ↑

Though it is customary to list the RB first, not LB. As RB is the #2.
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Dammit, I'm sure your correct. However, I read left to right. I type things out that way. I'll try to remember to fix it next time. Or, better yet, I encourage any (and all) of you to take your time to start pre-match threads with polls to save me the trouble!

kgilbert78 · Feb 26, 2018

TRUJDUB said: ↑

Hopefully Santos really picks up his production. I really like Martinez and I think Grella if healthy is a good option. But I would prefer the younger guy to win the job as it would be better for us long term.

We are rumored to still be after more attacking players.?When will the window actually close?

I think we can steal a draw in this gm. Would love a win but I can’t see it.
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The "pre season window" supposedly runs from Feb 14 to May 8 for MLS.
Mid season window (or "summer window") is July 10-August 9.

Of course, this has to match up with the window of the transferring side as well, except for out of contract players.

Notably, Norway, Sweden, and Brazil's windows are open until Mar 31.

LastOfEleven · Feb 26, 2018

hardhead said: ↑

Updated main post with ABC6 confirmed as telecast venue

968174671295283201 is not a valid tweet id
Click to expand...

I wonder what this means for us folks in Cincinnati that could previously watch games on TW. Anyone know yet?

Edit: I see in The TV contacts thread that it will be CW.

hardhead · Feb 26, 2018

LastOfEleven said: ↑

I wonder what this means for us folks in Cincinnati that could previously watch games on TW. Anyone know yet?

Edit: I see in The TV contacts thread that it will be CW.
Click to expand...

Supposedly, all "out of market" matches will be streamed for free on MLSsoccer.com until ESPN+ goes live. Now, the question is do those of us in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Athens, or Toledo (etc.) count as "out or market." How about those in Dublin, Springfield, etc? It sure would be nice for the Crew to articulate their broadcast and streaming schedule. Unfortunately, we're only getting it from the broadcasters themselves.

Ch(Elsey) · Feb 26, 2018

hardhead said: ↑

Supposedly, all "out of market" matches will be streamed for free on MLSsoccer.com until ESPN+ goes live. Now, the question is do those of us in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Athens, or Toledo (etc.) count as "out or market." How about those in Dublin, Springfield, etc? It sure would be nice for the Crew to articulate their broadcast and streaming schedule. Unfortunately, we're only getting it from the broadcasters themselves.
Click to expand...

I am so ungodly annoyed by this uncertainty. I have paid for MLS Live for so many years that it has become a routine annual payment. Now Geeg got on my account last year and stopped the recurring payments after Fratass announced his intentions. Still I was ready to pay up again only to find that some streaming channel on ESPN+ will maybe have Crew.

Fan-fvcking-tastic.

Dan Milton · Feb 26, 2018

hardhead said: ↑

Supposedly, all "out of market" matches will be streamed for free on MLSsoccer.com until ESPN+ goes live. Now, the question is do those of us in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Athens, or Toledo (etc.) count as "out or market." How about those in Dublin, Springfield, etc? It sure would be nice for the Crew to articulate their broadcast and streaming schedule. Unfortunately, we're only getting it from the broadcasters themselves.
Click to expand...

Just another case of precourt FN us over!

puttputtfc · Feb 26, 2018

LastOfEleven said: ↑

I wonder what this means for us folks in Cincinnati that could previously watch games on TW. Anyone know yet?
Click to expand...

It means you should drive to Columbus, find one of the many fine breweries, make friends with other Crew fans and enjoy the day.

DAK77 · Feb 27, 2018

Ch(Elsey) said: ↑

I am so ungodly annoyed by this uncertainty. I have paid for MLS Live for so many years that it has become a routine annual payment. Now Geeg got on my account last year and stopped the recurring payments after Fratass announced his intentions. Still I was ready to pay up again only to find that some streaming channel on ESPN+ will maybe have Crew.

Fan-fvcking-tastic.
Click to expand...

From what I understood MLS Live was going to work until this ESPN+ started carrying games. The press release says it's available on roku so I assumed this meant MLS Live.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/13/mls-live-be-added-espn-lineup-spring-free-fans-until-espn

Jaybir · Feb 27, 2018

We can't go undefeated for the entire season if we don't win the first game. Win by 1.

I'm so tired of, of, everything......the way we've been treated....the mess....the lies.....everything. But despite it all, I am actually finding myself excited about the start of the season. Maybe like the android at the end of the original "Blade Runner" movie - The robot inexplicably saves the life of his nemesis (Harrison Ford.) Perhaps, because at the end of life, he realized how precious life was, any life.....

And while on the topic of saving - We WILL #SaveTheCrew

kgilbert78 · Feb 27, 2018

Jaybir said: ↑

We can't go undefeated for the entire season if we don't win the first game. Win by 1.

I'm so tired of, of, everything......the way we've been treated....the mess....the lies.....everything. But despite it all, I am actually finding myself excited about the start of the season. Maybe like the android at the end of the original "Blade Runner" movie - The robot inexplicably saves the life of his nemesis (Harrison Ford.) Perhaps, because at the end of life, he realized how precious life was, any life.....

And while on the topic of saving - We WILL #SaveTheCrew
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Yes, we can. A draw is not a loss.