Good Posts and some very Entertaining, Thanks! Let's change the topic to the upcoming game. In my mind, there's no doubt we're having trouble linking through the midfield so far this year. It seems we did a better job with the same personnel, at the end of last year. Does this mean it takes time or are other teams getting us figured out (oops, sorrry, change topic). It scares me to think we're playing someone on the road who hasn't won yet ... we're going to have to step it up for this one, be sharper and no mistakes defensively. I think Pablo will shut down Schelotto ok, but they have a lot of other weapons, Gaven, Rogers, etc. Are we going to bunker and be satified with a point, or try to keep them on their heels? I favor the latter as a fan, but as a coach ....?
Key matchups are on the wings, I think. If Rogers and Gaven get going, then players like Moreno and Garey will get the service they need to score (taking into account that Pablo and Schelotto will have their own battle brewing). I think Harvey has played well, so it will come down to how Kosuke deals with Rogers on the left wing. He'll need help, my guess is LaBrocca will be tracking back to provide extra support to help Kimura deal with Rogers. Columbus has stagnated a little this year, maybe fortunately for the Rapids, they can take advantage of it and get something out of this game. Another key matchup is Casey versus Chad Marshall. Let's just say I have a little more respect for C-bus's back line than the hodge-podge in LA of Sanneh, rookie Omar, Eddie Lewis, and whatever other old fart Arena stuck on the field (Klein?? seemed like he was playing more of a winger role on Saturday). Casey and Cummings won't get nearly the space or the time they had against LA, so it should come down to converting the chances they do get. I'm envisioning a low-scoring tie or a narrow Columbus victory.
3-1 Columbus. Not that we're a bad team, but we've started just about as slowly as they have, yet had the fortune of playing KC once and LA twice to start our season. Throw in that we're going to be tired from as many games as we've had in the last 7 days, and that we're going to be somewhat satisfied with ourselves considering our place in the table, and I just see Columbus coming out a lot hungrier than we will be and maintaining that for the whole game. I hope I'm wrong. I think getting a tie here would be a fantastic result, frankly.
Well here is the series history: Rapids all-time vs. CLB: 14-8-7 At Home: 8-2-4 On Road: 6-6-3 Last Meeting: L, COL 0 vs. CLB 2, 7/27/08 On the road we have faired okay against C-Bus, obviously much better at home. Matt Pickens is out with back spasms again, so here is my projected lineup for both teams... Burpo Kos Gibbs Ugo Harvey/Harden Pablo M. Cooke Ballouchy Clark Casey Omar --------------------------- Moreno Schletto Grendi Ekpo Caroll Gaven Padula Marshall Hejduk Zayner/O'Rourke Hesmer
Well I think LaBrocca in the end will start regardless and Cooke as a sub, I just would like GS to mix it up a bit. No real reason, just thought I would throw it out there, although I know in the end ^^^^ Nick will start...
BTW don't count Pickens out yet (Unless you have some inside info). Here's the injury report: PROBABLE: FW Conor Casey (R foot strain), DF Cory Gibbs (R calf strain); GK Matt Pickens (back spasms Meanwhile Columbus: OUT: FW Pat Noonan (lower back strain); FW Jason Garey (R ankle sprain); QUESTIONABLE: DF Frankie Hejduk (R hamstring tightness); MF Robbie Rogers (L hamstring tightness); DF Chad Marshall (facial contusion)
Just popping over to say hi. I wish we were as optimistic as you are that our stars will be playing on Saturday. Here's what we think you'll see: ---------------Hesmer--------------- Zayner---O'Rourke---Brunner---Padula ---------------Carroll---------------- Gaven---------Moffatt----------Ekpo --------------Schelotto-------------- ---------------Moreno--------------- We don't expect to see Hejduk, Marshall, or Rogers on the field Saturday night due to injuries. We're off next week and even though we need these 3 points to right our currently sinking ship, we really get into the meat of the Eastern Conference starting on the 25th against Chicago and the 2nd at Twatwaffle FC. The collective thinking around the Crew board (otherwise known as Lithium Central right now) is that Bobby Rifle will rest these guys to make sure they're completely healed in time for our back to back rivalry games.
^^^^ So then I like our chances, even if we aren't healthy/fit from the previous 2 matches. I think we should leave with a tie at best though! And to answer you question Jason, yes. It is my preference lineup!!
Is it too early in the season to call this a "must win" game? Seattle could go to a 4-0 record after beating K.C. and Chivas would be 4-0 if they beat L.A. We have to win to stay close in the West. I'm hoping for a hard-fought game and a 1-0 win.
Yes. We're 2-1 and in third in the West playing on the road at the MLS Cup winners after a 120 minute USOC game on Tuesday. This is anything but a must win game. This is a "get a point without major injuries" type of game.
Way too early for a must win but it sure would be a sweet confidence booster. The two wins so far are on the road against the Gals, road wins are always good wins but the Galaxy is crappy, and home against the injury riddled Wizards. I'd take the point and be content but the Crew is a good team but down right now. It would be good for our young team to kick them while they are down. Schelleto will be a good test for our midfield and D. But the injury report is still pretty bleak for the Crew. Marshall and Hejduk questionable in the back. Rogers questionable at mid. Those are three of their main contributors. I predict our young defense holds and Casey and Cummings continue to pry open opposing defenses. 2-1 Rapids.
how about a win here for last years embarrassment at the Dick! IIRC, we had like 224 shots on goal, 113 corners and scored 0, naught, zed, nada, nothing, goose egg, bumbkiss, squat. They had two shots on goal and scored two. SCREW the crew.
Reminder, this is on Altitude 2 at 5:30 Mountain Daylight Savings Time (not MST) there is a scheduled re-broadcast on regular Altitude at 1:00 am on Easter (while you're up hiding those eggs anyway). As always watch your e-mail for Direct Kick promotions and short notice announcements that a Warren Miller movie (that you've already seen ten times) has pre-empted this match.
the crew started out slow i feel this year. this is going to be a good test for us on the road we have a year with some tough competition
Cooke, Guerrero likely out for the game: http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20090410&content_id=237982&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp
Well that pretty much guarantees this lineup: Pickens Kimura - Ihemelu - Gibbs - Harvey Pablo LaBrocca - Ballouchy - Clark Casey - Cummings I suppose you could see Peterson - LaBrocca instead of LaBrocca - Ballouchy and of course Burpo over Pickens if Pickens back is still acting up.
1-1 draw, goal by Omar Cummings. If it weren't for the midweek USOC game I'd actually favor the Rapids to win this one. The delayed travel from that game and the less rest the Rapids got from it makes me think that they'll probably be happy to settle for a draw. We have yet to have a clean sheet in a league game, and with a player like GBS on the other side I don't think that will change this week. http://view-from-the-couch.blogspot.com/2009/04/ymca.html
Burpo Kimura-Ugo-Gibbs-Harvey Peterson-Pablo-Ballouchy-Clark Casey-Cumming 3-1 Rapids... The amazement continues. ALL ABOARD THE CRAZYTRAIN!!!! YAHAAAHAAHAAA
I doubt Smith will be in the mood to mix things up. Let's see what the line up that got us this far can do in a difficult situation on the road. It'll be Mehdi and Pablo. There is no real advantage to playing LaBrocca in the center with Pablo, as LaBrocca isn't any farther along in his development than Mehdi is in his. Put out the same line up, attack a team that seems to be reeling a bit and see where it gets you. Put me down as one who would be overjoyed to get a point out of this very difficult fixture.