If San Jose was a tough nut to crack it doesn't get any easier with the Crew on Saturday. The Crew as defending MLS Champions are strong throughout their entire roster. They even upgraded over the offseason. Their roster is loaded. They have strong players at every position and are 2 deep in almost all slots. If they are able to put their first team out on the field it will be a very, very difficult game at Columbus. Despite all the crap he gets on the US National Team Zardes is an effective striker in their system and he has lots of help and service. Zelarayan is one of the best midfielder/forwards in the league. He can either play the 10 or as a second striker. The crew also picked up Kevin Molino who is an excellent attacker and game-changer. Pedro Santos is very creative and Diaz is both technical and very fast on the wing. Nagbe can control a midfield with his hold-up play and as he has shown with the Nats is almost impossible to take the ball off him. If they have both Mensah and Williams back at Center back they will be very difficult to break down. Mensah is one of the best 3 or 4 Center Backs in the entire league. Columbus stats in the early part of the season are so so. They have been struggling with having the extra games of the CONCACAF Champions League. But make no mistake this is a strong, strong team. We could get lucky if they end up expending a lot of energy in their game away at Monterrey on Wednesday which they have to win since they are tied 2-2 on aggregate.
I will be thrilled if DCU can get a draw. Even if both rosters are at full strength, C-bus is just deep and talented, DCU not so much.
Certainly, as a fan, watch the game. I'm just saying keep your expectations "modest". A tie would be a great result. The betting shows Columbus is a 2.5 goal favorite with a result between 2-1 to 3-0 for Columbus. But, this is MLS so who knows. There may be things that folks don't like about MLS but one good thing is relative parity compared to the top 5 Leagues around the world where you can pretty much know who is going to win the league among 2, 3, or 4 clubs at the start of the season.
Does anyone have any info on when Arriola could come back? The only thing I've seen is an Athletic story a while back that said he could be at training in the middle or end of May.
I will start issuing cards if the Pre-Match threads aren't listed with info and baby animals. I'm trying to run a streaming service in my day job and can't be digging up baby animals and fixing threads. Who: DC vs the Cows of Ohio What: Soccer Brunch Ohio Style Where: Old Crew Medicine Show Stadium - home of the burning screen Why: the show must go on. When: 10:30 am my time - sort it out yourselves. How: TV: NBCSWA, TeleXitos, ESPN+, DCUnited.com Ohio Cute Animal: ...Yes I know it is Cleveland and not Columbus - but outside of Ohio does anyone really care.
The good news is United won't face their full squad, some guys will be rested after playing in Mexico on Wed. Yeah, a draw would be a great result.
Managed to snag one of the drive up viewing tickets for this game. Not sure what to expect but it's nice to see them trying new stuff.
Anyone know when the injured list comes out? Hoping that Canouse and Pines at least come off the list. What's up w Pines btw? He was a late scratch before the season opener and is listed with an Achilles injury. Anyone hear even a word more than that? He's the fastest player on the team and we need him if this formation has any hope of working.
Canouse apparently had a bad reaction to the Covid vaccine, so he should be back Saturday. I don't know about Pines. He was a late scratch in the opener. However, my daughter and I saw him walking through the parking lot towards the stadium and he was moving just fine -- so who knows?
I have higher expectations. Columbus' A-team looked completely gassed by minute 60 tonight in Mexico. Very tough match physically and emotionally in Monterrey, they're out of Champions' League, and one of the last things they want to see in 62 hours is the highest energy team in MLS. We're getting them at the perfect time, although Zelerayan didn't play because of yellow cards. He and Flores came into the league at about the same time, from the same league, with similar transfer fees. If Flores can't step up and play like a DP Saturday, I'm not sure when he will. A goal and assist for Flores as United wipe that smirk off Caleb Porter's face.
I'll take a shot on goal from Flores. When that happens, I'll start expecting something impactful. I think he's a good crosser, but really there's no one to cross to. Nope, I'm going to need him to put the burden on his back now.
D.C. United injury update:Canouse and Robertha remain out, Hamid and Arriola getting closer to returning but not this weekend, Kamara and DeShields might travel to Columbus. #dcu #mls— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) May 6, 2021
Yes, let's all let out sarcastic yays when the only proven MLS goal scorer, who for all we know can actually make a difference in this system, may be ready to come back.
I'm not a super fan of the sarcasm but a proven MLS goal scorer in 2018 is different than a proven MLS scorer.
I have no optimism regarding Kamara, but with Robertha out, the only "forward" available to backup Sorga is Perez, so this is an improvement. I also know that DeShields is a rookie, but right now there is absolutely no backup for BHI, Brillant and Alfaro (who is in reality a backup made starter due to injuries).
Given Losada's focus on fitness, seeing Pines walk around doesn't necessarily translate to being fit to play. A couple of players have already said that his expectations on fitness are way different than Olsens. A player coming back from injury would have played for Olsen but would not have been deemed fit enough for Losada.
The relative impact of Zelerayan for Columbus versus Flores for DC is massive. I can't think of a wider gulf. Honestly, if someone did not tell you that Flores was a DP with the highest transfer fee ever paid by DC, you might see him based on performance to date as just a journeyman even below average player.
Wow. That is certainly upping my expectations. A Center Forward who can't score and a new player that could not get a game for a USL League One team. We need players who can make a difference like Hamid, Canouse and Arriola.
IIRC Canouse was scratched last match because of a reaction to his Covid shot. I've never heard of a reaction lasting this long.
I have so many favorite "proven goal scorer" signings, but I'm really partial to Carlos Ruiz in 2013 and Joseph Ngwenya in 2014.