Pre-match: EC Final Leg 1: Crew vs. TFC, 11/21, 8pm

I'm trying to even think of where there is an obstructed view seat in the stadium

Edit- I just saw where they are. Must be close to the camera in the upperdeck.

 

lose by two

 

Last home playoff game of the season, can't hold anything back now.

 

No. If we win this round, the final is here.

 

I've been posting that before each game since the Austin rumors, and we've been winning.

 

I didn't pay too much attention to this before the NYC game, since the turnaround time was so short, but I know a lot of you brought up the bizarre lack of marketing from the team about that game. I don't spend a lot of time watching commercial TV (almost none), or listening to commercial radio (none). So I'd not see any ads that club may be running there. But all I have noticed are posts on social media. Hell, I haven't even received many emails from the team about the game. Most of what I do see is fan- (especially #savethecrew-) generated.

WTF? Am I missing something? Is the team spending a penny on marketing this playoff run? Or are they purposefully trying to keep quiet about it? The lack of marketing is unconscionable. Look no further than 'Brand Ambassador' Hejduk's twitter feed. You'd hardly know we're in the Eastern Conference Finals.

 

#savethecrew is doing the marketing for them. Which is quite sad.

 

I've seen billboards and other ads around town--using the "Claim Glory" theme--as well as a TV ad or two. I'm also getting pop up ads on some of the websites I visit.

To be fair, the first game was on relatively short notice, as you stated. And it looks like they may not need to do much advertising for the upcoming game, if ticket sales are accurately reflected on TicketBa$tard.

 

I agree the game will probably sell out. But - to state the obvious - this playoff run should be hyped to the moon by the FO. They should be hawking merchandise. Stressing how the game is nearly sold out to push sales, in order to get to the point where installing temporary seating becomes necessary, the goal. Instead, crickets...

 

A healthy Justin Meram is going to be the key to this series. Have there been any updates?

 

Giovinco is more of the 'X factor' than 'the guy' for TFC now.

Key to TFC success this season is there are multiple 'threats' on offence in comparison to 2015 when Giovinco won MVP, but TFC pretty much relied on him to be the offence that season. The couple of injuries, plus MLS defences figuring him out, means Giovinco is no longer the dynamic striker who can consistently break down a defence at will. You can't ignore him, but he's not the same player he used to be.

I'd argue that Vasquez is the key to TFC offence now, considering how influential he's been as the playmaker, but also be able to step in as second striker as required. (He does pretty much similar stuff Higuain does for the Crew, just a bit more from midfield) Altidore does the hold up thing while Bradley breaks up attacks and transitions from midfield. Perhaps just as importantly, TFC pushes up wingbacks to overload on flanks and Morrow esp loves to poach from the flanks.

With suspensions to Giovinco and Altidore for first leg, I'm expecting to see Vasquez-Ricketts combo up top in a 3-5-2, with Vasquez as second striker/playmaker. Key to Crew success will be to cut off the supply to Vasquez, but not get caught pushing the back line too high and pressuring and get burned by Ricketts speed. (Ricketts is like another Oduro) TFC has had success with Vasquez-Ricketts combo before, so it's not something new.

 

Healthy or sick, he's going to play terribly right up until he scores three goals in a row.

 

Looks like it'll be a sellout. With little marketing from the team. And an absentee owner.

This is the _entire_ list of non-resale, non-handicap tickets currently available on Ticketmaster for #CrewSC playoff game against Toronto.

Now includes SRO tickets. pic.twitter.com/qBY2W6w0L7

— Matt Bernhardt (@bernhardtsoccer) November 14, 2017

Lack of enthusiasm? SRO, bitches!

Donnie, Trust Fund ****************, and Greeley the Goon can go right the ******** off.

 

$46 for a standing room only ticket. WOW!

 

They’ve probably been actively marketing in Toronto so we’ll see vast sections of Mapfre red wearing fans.

 

Every seat is going to be standing only!

 

#CrewSC now opening up Standing Room Only tickets. pic.twitter.com/9HYplUp9Qq

— Patrick Guldan (@GuldanMR) November 14, 2017

 

The Crew haven't done that well when they have big crowds this year. I hope this changes.

 

not just this year

 

What is up with Meram? I missed that tidbit.

Good news on attendance. Precourt will probably refuse to buy his box for this game just so we cannot say it sold out.

 

Cool. I had heard that. If it was serious, I'd have thought we could have sat him at NYC with a 4-1 lead. Still, he'll have 2 weeks to heal for this one.

Looks like Altidore's confidence in his red getting overturned was about as accurate as his confidence in us winning at T&T.