PBP: Crew v Chicago, 5/26

Bench: Lampson, Gehrig, Vukovic, Birchall, Grossman, Meram, Vargas

Rolfe not in the starting XI for the Fire.

 

I think we'll see Birchall make his Crew debut as a sub tonight. I'm unsure who is playing CAM--Tchani or Duka? Both have played on the wings this season, despite naturally being central. Tchani is more defensive, but we've played 2 DMs before as well.

 

We score most of our goals after the 60th minute. Meram will be on then--I figure the coach is just giving him a better chance to score then with fresher legs.

 

EDIT: yep, 15' and 57'. FC Dallas was 67'. I figure if he comes in at 60'..he'll score the game winner at 75'.

 

Renteria does some excellent work near the touchline to hold the ball and cross in. He gets a rebound then second cross goes for a corner.

 

I was hoping the crowd would be a little more dense than it is now :\

 

Duka is playing right mid and Tchani/Gaven are playing under Renteria in a 4-3-2-1. Anor playing left mid. Anor's been playing pretty narrow with Francis coming up the wing.

 

9' goal for Gaven. Crew have been dominating possession thus far. Gaven given tons of space just outside the left corner of the 18 so he shoots and it dribbles by Johnson in the near post.

 

Duka with some nice work on the ball to get the Crew's 5th corner. None have looked threatening.

 

Renteria has a pretty bad first touch. Has anyone noticed that before?

 

Before my time.

 

Terrible back pass by Francis leads to a wide open shot. Luckily for the Crew, Nyarko misses.

 

That last play aside, the Crew have played a very nice passing game, especially in the midfield which we haven't seen before. I wouldn't be surprised if we have more corners this half than we have had all season. Credit to Chicago for giving us little to no pressure on the ball ;p

 

Nice! Gaven runs down to the touch line in the left corner and crosses on the ball to Renteria, who has a great first touch, turns, and nails the goal. 2-0! Renteria 2 goals in 2 matches. Nice bow-and-arrow celebration.