Post-match: CCL Quarterfinal Leg 2 Crew @ substandard cheese 5/5/21 8:00pm

Big J 0526 · Apr 29, 2021

There is E.V.I.L. afoot. Our band of heroes were held to a stalemate by their wealthy foes from the south, but the minions of E.V.I.L. made their presence felt, making sure the every break went against our lovable heroes. And now for the road leg, deep in enemy territory, the crew will be without its swashbuckling leader lucas, thanks to shenanigans from E.V.I.L.

Everything is now against our Crew. Can they overcome a greater challenge than they have faced in years, or will this spell the end of their run in the Champions Tournament?

Big J 0526 · Apr 29, 2021

pic.twitter.com/Ur0CzQMceQ
— 2024 Back 2 Back MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew (@JHen13916) April 29, 2021

SLSHOT01 · Apr 29, 2021

Leg One I drank the Kool-Ade

Leg two... without Zelarayan (yellow card accumulation suspension ---- which is nonsense btw) - I'm going to have to drink some from Waco... Lose by 2+.

Perhaps pessimism combined with nothing to lose will pay off...

TRUJDUB · Apr 30, 2021

This is impossible to say without knowing line ups but with no LZ it’s likely we lose this game. But if we have Mensah back and can get a shutout i could see us stealing a 1-0 win

west ham sandwich · Apr 30, 2021

I have this feeling they're going to pull it out somehow. I'm just not sure can I put my monopoly money down on the table and vote that way.

DGA57v2 · May 1, 2021

No idea who is even going to travel but without Lucas it'll be a big mountain to climb. On, the other hand, it was cold in Columbus, Ohio the last time we said something like that.

runningoz · May 2, 2021

SLSHOT01 said: ↑

Leg One I drank the Kool-Ade

Leg two... without Zelarayan (yellow card accumulation suspension ---- which is nonsense btw) - I'm going to have to drink some from Waco... Lose by 2+.

Perhaps pessimism combined with nothing to lose will pay off...
Click to expand...

Probably more Jonestown than Waco.

TrueCrew · May 2, 2021

Without LZ (and maybe Mensah & Zardes) we should not win. Plus, I assume Monterrey will play as close to the A squad as they can muster at home, so the opponent will be tougher than in Leg 1.

Yet I have this funny feeling we pull it out somehow. Goal off a dead ball/corner. Wondergoal from unexpected source (Nagbe?). PK. Room stands on his head.

2-1 Crew. Mensah & Zardes both start.

TyphonInc · May 3, 2021

TrueCrew said: ↑

Without LZ (and maybe Mensah & Zardes) we should not win. Plus, I assume Monterrey will play as close to the A squad as they can muster at home, so the opponent will be tougher than in Leg 1.

Yet I have this funny feeling we pull it out somehow. Goal off a dead ball/corner. Wondergoal from unexpected source (Nagbe?). PK. Room stands on his head.

2-1 Crew. Mensah & Zardes both start.
Click to expand...

I'll take this.

Kryptonite · May 3, 2021

Heads up:

My guide is showing an air time of 7:56pm and a TV channel of FS2.

Dan Milton · May 3, 2021

TRUJDUB said: ↑

This is impossible to say without knowing line ups but with no LZ it’s likely we lose this game. But if we have Mensah back and can get a shutout i could see us stealing a 1-0 win
Click to expand...

Reality says we lose. Being a Crew fan,I will be delusional and say win by one! May the soccer gods be with us!Read

chr1st · May 4, 2021

Do we know who all made the trip?

I'm hoping Mensah is fit enough (and his wife is settled). I'm curious if Gya$i and Valenzuela are available, too.

I don't feel like doing the research. Someone, help me.

Minnman · May 4, 2021

chr1st said: ↑

Do we know who all made the trip?

I'm hoping Mensah is fit enough (and his wife is settled). I'm curious if Gya$i and Valenzuela are available, too.

I don't feel like doing the research. Someone, help me.
Click to expand...

I heard someone mention on Twitter that Mensah was identified as being there. Where they got that info, I have no idea.

TKyle · May 4, 2021

Will Zelarayan make the trip to Mexico, even if he can’t dress?
I mean, I know he has a new baby. But ISTM that his knowledge of Rayados would be invaluable from a strategic standpoint. I think his analysis of how the match unfolds would be incredibly beneficial, even if he has to watch from a press box or the locker room.
(What are the restrictions on a red-carded player? They can be in the stadium but not on the bench, correct?)

zman31 · May 4, 2021

TKyle said: ↑

Will Zelarayan make the trip to Mexico, even if he can’t dress?
I mean, I know he has a new baby. But ISTM that his knowledge of Rayados would be invaluable from a strategic standpoint. I think his analysis of how the match unfolds would be incredibly beneficial, even if he has to watch from a press box or the locker room.
(What are the restrictions on a red-carded player? They can be in the stadium but not on the bench, correct?)
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There was a Twitter post with video that shows that he made the trip. I can't seem to dig it up now.

TKyle · May 4, 2021

Also, if Pedro is likely to be the #10 on Wednesday, why did he play the full 90 minutes in the Florida heat on Sat?
Sure, you could sub him off and have Nagbe move to the #10, but with our depleted squad, ISTM you’d want Pedro to have the wheels to go 90’ in Monterrey.

chr1st · May 4, 2021

TKyle said: ↑

Also, if Pedro is likely to be the #10 on Wednesday, why did he play the full 90 minutes in the Florida heat on Sat?
Sure, you could sub him off and have Nagbe move to the #10, but with our depleted squad, ISTM you’d want Pedro to have the wheels to go 90’ in Monterrey.
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North America's biggest stage.

Second leg 🔜#Crew96 | #SCCL21 pic.twitter.com/mLW7nuY7XN
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) May 4, 2021

Just saw this. Lucas is there.

EDIT:
Video quality is rough for me but it looks like Mensah is there, too.

chr1st · May 4, 2021

Here are the guys CONCACAF paid off to fix the match* officials:

Referee: Daneon PARCHMENT (JAM)

Assistant Referee 1: Ojay DUHANEY (JAM)

Assistant Referee 2: Damian WILLIAMS (JAM)

Fourth Official: Oshane NATION (JAM)

VAR: Erick MIRANDA (MEX)

AVAR: Benjamin PINEDA (CRC)

Found on Massive Report.

*Please don't fine me.

Big J 0526 · May 4, 2021

chr1st said: ↑

*Please don't fine me.
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you are fined 1 doge coin

Minnman · May 4, 2021

chr1st said: ↑

Here are the guys CONCACAF paid off to fix the match* officials:

Referee: Daneon PARCHMENT (JAM)

Assistant Referee 1: Ojay DUHANEY (JAM)

Assistant Referee 2: Damian WILLIAMS (JAM)

Fourth Official: Oshane NATION (JAM)

VAR: Erick MIRANDA (MEX)

AVAR: Benjamin PINEDA (CRC)

Found on Massive Report.

*Please don't fine me.
Click to expand...

An official (VAR, in this case) from one of the countries represented in the match? Is that a normal thing?

Bill Archer · May 4, 2021

TrueCrew said: ↑

Without LZ (and maybe Mensah & Zardes) we should not win. Plus, I assume Monterrey will play as close to the A squad as they can muster at home, so the opponent will be tougher than in Leg 1.

Yet I have this funny feeling we pull it out somehow. Goal off a dead ball/corner. Wondergoal from unexpected source (Nagbe?). PK. Room stands on his head.

2-1 Crew. Mensah & Zardes both start.
Click to expand...

And it shall forever be known as The Miracle at Monterrey.

Bill Archer · May 4, 2021

Minnman said: ↑

An official (VAR, in this case) from one of the countries represented in the match? Is that a normal thing?
Click to expand...

The VAR for the game at HSC was an American.

Kryptonite · May 4, 2021

chr1st said: ↑

Do we know who all made the trip?

I'm hoping Mensah is fit enough (and his wife is settled). I'm curious if Gya$i and Valenzuela are available, too.

I don't feel like doing the research. Someone, help me.
Click to expand...

Mensah cleared to play.
Zardes will be a game-time decision.

https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/...s-game-time-decision-vs-monterrey/4943266001/

TrueCrew · May 4, 2021

Kryptonite said: ↑

Mensah cleared to play.
Zardes will be a game-time decision.

https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/...s-game-time-decision-vs-monterrey/4943266001/
Click to expand...

You beat me to it.

Also from that article: Valenzuela is good to go. Kitchen out again.

No specific mention of Etienne or Hairston.

Room; Afful, Mensah, Williams, Valenzuela; Artur, Nagbe; Diaz, Santos, Matan; BWP/Zardes.

Bench: Bush; Abdul-Salaam, Francis, Wormgoor; TFC Hg kid; Etienne; Zardes/BWP.

TKyle · May 4, 2021

TrueCrew said: ↑

You beat me to it.

Also from that article: Valenzuela is good to go. Kitchen out again.

No specific mention of Etienne or Hairston.

Room; Afful, Mensah, Williams, Valenzuela; Artur, Nagbe; Diaz, Santos, Matan; BWP/Zardes.

Bench: Bush; Abdul-Salaam, Francis, Wormgoor; TFC Hg kid; Etienne; Zardes/BWP.
Click to expand...

Wormgoor for Williams and Etienne for Matan and I agree otherwise.

You certainly can argue that Mensah and Williams have been paired a lot so far this season and that’s a fair argument and I would understand that selection.

I have to believe that on the training ground Mensah and Vito have played side-by-side as he’s made his recovery. Vito is more skilled than Josh; that’s why Bez brought him in. And if the plan is to have Vito be the other CB, you have to pull that trigger sometime.

It’s time. What better time than now?