Pre-match: DCU @ Columbus Crew, 7/21/12

Ahhh, another game at the erector set, and a chance to drive through the splendor of riches that is Ohio (that is sarcasm).

2-0 Good guys in Black (but probably wearing white)

 

Nonsense. Ohio is filled with rich culture and history. Unfortunately it's all in book form and is always in transit THROUGH the state, because, I mean, what would be the point of stopping?

 

There's some neat caves to walk through just south of Belfontaine east of Columbus. They're a sight prettier than the hole in the ground where the yellow football team plays.

 

I like the Indian mounts in Hopewell. And the Snake Mound like 2 hours south of Columbus. And I hear the Air Force museum in Dayton is amazing. But yeah, other than that, meh.
Can we all laugh at a yellow football team now?

 

Big weekend for Korb. He gets his first start in awhile in his home state, presumably in front of friends and family. I expect a season defining game from him that will hopefully put him on a path to locking down that RB spot.

I'm tired of Russell. So many goals this season against us originate from that RB area. If Korb doesn't step up now, we need to sign another option before the transfer window closes.

 

I think either way we need to sign more quality at outside back. Its a positioning position, and I think its asking a lot for a young guy to have mastered the position. Korb has a lot of tools and I love the way he goes forward, but he's still learning. Robbie I like a lot as a person, but if he no longer has the wheels to make his experience count, well, he's not the guy. If he's not healthy, he is too much of a liability and I'd rather see Korb get the minutes.

This is a huge game for the team. A strong response against a team we should beat puts us back on track. A weak one and the league will look at us with no fear. DCU needs this game.

 

Doubt it for a night game

 

Growing up in Cincinnati I can tell you what's good about Columbus. They have Cincinnati chili (3 Skyline Chili locations to be exact).




There you go. That covers it. Now back to soccer.

 

You lost me at "growing up in Cincinnati"

 

I will guess on Hocking Hills State Park. My cousin went there recently and had a great time.

In terms of the game. I agree we need to bounce back, not just in terms of what the league sees in us, but what the players see in themselves.

 

This next match is match one of a 3 match series with the Crew. Round 2 is our very next MLS match after the PSG friendly. The Crew are reeling and this is the time to put together a consistent run.

I was looking at the schedule for the rest of the year. If you assign a point for each place in the standings (whether east or west) and divide by number of matches played vs number to be played we have the a marginally easier schedule ahead the rest of the way. Even when you balance home (7) and away(8); I mean c'mon, sure we have SKC and RSL on the road, but we also have Toronto and Montreal on this planet!

As I said in another thread, it really only matters how you are playing when you get into the playoffs. IMO DCU looks fine; unlucky even. While it is true that SKC and SJE sit on top, they play really ugly; oh and VERY physically. On the other hand, Chicago & NY look in good form and they just played a 1pm eastern match today; WTF! What was wrong with Tuesday at two?

For the bumble bees:
1. No idea why Hey Dude got talked into going there; I hear the surfing is bad; even if the sharks don't bite.
2. I do understand why Schmid went there and why he left.
3. Agree this is Korb's chance; or it should be.

 

Having grown up in Dayton, I can tell you what's good about Columbus: It's not Dayton.

Also, COSI (Center of Science and Industry, not the coffeeshop/restaurant) is a pretty cool interactive museum in Columbus, particularly if you have young'uns. Not free though.

 

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is outside of Columbus. But I agree if you are not a motorcyclist there is no reason to stop in Columbus.

 

I did have great fun at the Columbus Zoo once. But there was a tornado warning that cleared the place of Ohioans first

Brian Dunseth made a good point (I know, right) about this game on the latest Capital Soccer Show. He pointed out that cOlumbus is one of those games that you look at and say you really should get those 3 points, but then you go in and after 90 minutes you wonder how the hell you either only got 1 or lost them all - Columbus is a dangerous team, in that they really can grind out and frustrate a team. We have to be patient and keep attacking if we don't get immediate success, without the backs getting too antsy and forgetting their primary mission.

 

OK, since you guys are so bad at giving Ohio a proper bashing by mentioning otherwise redeeming features, DESPITE THE UTTER LACK THEREOF, and also it smells bad, let's move on to aspects as to how our lads CAN give at least a yellow, particularly malodorous portion of Ohio a right thrashing...

I'm thinking Korb/Jacovic/Dudar/Woolard as the back line, though realistically I see them fielding Korb/BMac/Jacovic/Wollard again; or Russell for Korb if he's injury-free.

I still wanna see a 4-5-1 with Salihi up top and Bosko and DeRo in the middle, but, alas, I am but a poor Internet nut.

 

Can I just take a moment to say I really dislike this year's white uni's? The white combined with a flash of red around the throat make them look as if they're all just back from running with the bulls in Pamplona.

 

Well, they are no Hemingways, that's for sure...

The Screw, they should all be gored!

Ohio, ... , best to drive through it...

 

After last week, change is needed.

Willis
Korb/Jacovic/Dudar/Woolard
DeLeon/Kitchen/Bosko/Pontius
Salihi/DeRo

 

That's the lineup I'd like to see as well, but I think we'll see McDonald instead of Dudar, as Ben seems to prefer his athleticism/speed.
Ben's Houston post game comments indicated that certain players appeared to have given up. From watching the game on TV, there seemed to be a lot of that. Hopefully they will be held accountable and we'll see some change.

This is a statement game imo. If we're going to contend for silverware this year, we have to get points, or we'll just fade back into the middle of the pack.

asitis

 

Steven Goff ‏@SoccerInsider
Branko Boskovic (sore calf) will not play for D.C. United this weekend at Columbus #dcu #mls


I don't care. They still have to win.

 

So, Pontius back on top with Neal on the left. Or, Pontius stays left with Salihi up top? Last choice, DeRo up top, Pontius on the left and Neal in the middle?

 

Ooh, I like the idea of Neal in the middle, that might work pretty well.