Okay, its probably time to start talking about this one. Checking MLSnet for injuries or caution point updates is useless since they haven't been updated since the 13th. I think I read Razov is being evaluated still, and we have the typical knocks to Harkes, and I think West and Mais are a little bruised up still also. This game will be ridiculous. The Fire obviously need the win to make the postseason, and they will go all out. They signed some cat named Dipsy to play up front, who is a complete unknown to us, in order to find a way to score on Busch. I gues sthey figured if Hristo can't put it in from the spot they need more ammunition. The Crew has more than enough motivation to win this also. Even if the Revs lose this weekend, and the Crew has the divison clinched they still should be playing to knock a team out that has been pretty much dominant of us through the years. That history shoould take a big swing though if the Crew wins here. Andrulis has more defensive options now also that McCarty is back from a 1 game suspension, but you gotta hope they play for the win here. I really don't know why he would change the startin lineup from last game though. Oh and on a side note, lets cheer for the burn to knocvck out DC on Thursday, there is a possibility of DC and Chicago both missing the playoffs here. Very nice.
Dipsy Solelwane is their version of McKinley Tennyson. A native of Botswana, and a member of their National Team (for whatever that's worth), the Fire drafted him in the thrid round; he refused the standard $24,000 a year offer from MLS and got a spot with a side in Denmark. I have no idea how that went, but since he's back here getting ready to play for the Fire (and reportedly has been in training with them for many, many weeks) one is led to believe that he didn't exactly light the place up. However all that turns out, since the Crew doesn't have a lot to lose and has something to gain (in adddition to the satisfaction of sending these clowns home early) I'd like to see them come out firing. Send everybody but the towel boy, let Fat Zack get shell-shock, get an early lead, take the crowd (which will be big and noisy) out of the game and then make THEM rely on old Dipsy to save the day.
I agree. Revs loss, DC and Chicago out by Sunday. Even if that happens and we know the outcome of the season before this game starts, we should still play for the win. In this case, Chicago will come out with all Mach 10's blazing and they'll be playing for pride. We gotta play for the win or else the score will be so damn lopsided. Actually, now that I think about it, that's kinda like the 2001 finale against Chicago. We had been eliminated the night before, Chicago plays us that Saturday and win.
I just remember being up trehir last game we played in Naperville and seeing the starting lineup with Mike Nugent and some others and thinking that the Crew should have a cakewalk. Somehow the Crew messed that up and Nugent had two goals I think. (So given that history, I am little wary of Mr. Dipsy)That may have been the only good game the Fire played at home this year. For all the noise their fans make it doesn't seem to help too much at that Stadium, which may be too thin for them to really play well on. You are right about that place being loud on Sunday, they supposedly are planning to get their 1/2 hour prior to the game and being in full voice. It would be nice if we can have our Crew fans making the trip be vocal as well, but if thats not the case I definately settle for a diminishing sound from the Fire fans as the clock winds down and they realize that they aren't making the playoffs.
Hell yes. This is the only way we are effective. We're not the 2000 KC Wizards, we don't stall and possess well. We make fast runs well, and we play well when the ball is effectively distrubted to our fowards due to intense pressure throughout the midfield. This has all the makings of an amazing, desperately played (for chicago), firework-filled game.
Exactly. We need to play to OUR strengths. Could be another wild game. I'd like to see Mad Dog McCarty in there for awhile and save Clark's Hammy. If Harkesy is fit, yhis might be a good small field game to bring him around and he can outpolitick Hristo.
Yes to McCarty. This is exactly what he is good at. The Fire are desparate and will pull-out all the stops. What have they got to lose? I don't think Harkes, Mais, or any other just-healed Crew player ought to be in Sunday's game. They will pummel anyone that they think they can take out. You saw how Pelusa was pounded on last Saturday? Barely had a shirt left! Luckily he was ready for it. He's gotten tougher. Fredy will have to do the same. He'll have to use his speed, and be ready for the elbows, knees, and shirt-grabs. We really do have to use our speed as our advantage, and keep our tempers in the process. We already know we're in the playoffs. Let them lose their cool. Offense, Offense, Offense!
I'm still not sure about McCarty for this one. I just have visions of a bad foul outside the box giving the Fire a free kick late in the game. But If Razov and Hristo both start I definately think that McCarty could get under their skin which would be benificial to us.
So Merz reports in the di$patch this morning that a loss in this game coupled with a revs win has the crew starting the playoffs wed at SJ or LA. Not really a long turnaround between games, especially when you consider the travel day too. All the more reason for Greg to have the boys ready for this one.
that is certainly worst case scenario. we'd go from conference champs playing against metros or wiz to having to start just next week against an almost unbeatable galaxy squad and san jose with wonderboy. keep in mind that whatever the result sunday is going to take A LOT out of us. chicago is dirty, and when they're desperate then they are likely to be scratch-and-claw dirty. this is exactly why clark AND mccarty should start to trade barbs when necessary. that said, i worry about Oughton and Maiz who draw cards easily. A red card on Sunday to the wrong person could be disasterous.
Breathe a little easier, accumulation points don't carry over but red cards do. Of course MLS net still has last weeks points on up, so i don't know who on the crew is in danger. From MLSNET Slightly different disciplinary rules also kick in upon the start of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Any suspensions for yellow card points earned in a player's last regular season game will not carry over into the Playoffs or into the 2003 season. However, all red card suspension will carry over into the postseason. Also, any red card suspensions received during the postseason will follow a player (if applicable to a new team) into the next League season. All players will start the MLS Cup Playoffs with zero caution points
Not true, if the Crew win or tie and NE wins the Crew win the conference because we have 3 more points than NE right now with one game to go. Now if the Crew loses and NE wins they win the conference on head to head. If NY/NJ beats NE by less than 6 goals, the Crew wins the conference on goal differential(of course depending on how many the Crew give up to Chicago). If NY/NJ wins 3-0 and we lose 2-0. then it goes to third tiebraker wich is goals scored. NY/NJ would win then. My guess would be that if the Metrosucks win the will bunker in and try to give up as few goals as they can and counterattack when they can. I don't like that stratagy, but that's what we might see if Metrosucks win.
does andy have a spinning head smiley? otherwise, it's just either way, it's just a few hours till one of these games. The suits in MLS must LOVE this situation we're in. After all, this is what single entity's supposed to bring.