Official Crew at KC thread, 3 May, 8 p.m. [R] The Crew visits the originators of MLS bunker ball this week. The match is on Fox Sports Ohio.
I think Saturday is Buck-a-Brat night at Arrowhead, with a Better Than Ezra concert following the match. At least that's what I remember seeing during Kansas City's match a couple weeks ago .
Yeah, it will be a post-game Better Than Ezra show. Columbus Crew. Getting decent attendance without the aid of fireworks, concerts, or buck-a-brat. FYI, The game is also on Fox Sports Ohio.
It's so nice to see another team in the league stealing our promotion, plus they have to double up with a concert.
Does it really matter what promotions they use? Would you be bithching if San Jose was doing this and getting the results that the Wiz have had so far? You all know my allegiance, but I gotta stand with KC on this arguement. You want the league to succeed and make a profit so new investors will join in. Well guess what, it doesn't hurt if other teams start using promotions that are proven to work (by the Crew) to get more people to drop the cash for some tickets. This promotion won a poll as for best promotion last year. Don't you think people would take note? I applaud what KC has done so far in terms of attendance. 22403 on opening day (which was higher than ours) and 14586 for their second home game (which was also higher than ours). Obviously Chicago and Dallas are a bit hamstrung at the moment since they have low capacity, but other teams need to really start selling their seats. I really hope that San Jose either gets their act together or the league finds a better market for them.
I believe the diagnosis was 2-3 weeks and they hoped he would be ready for the home game against Colorado. KC has been playing an open style this year, so it will be interesting to see how they come out against the Crew. Hopefully the Crew come out ready to play and be more creative on and off the ball.
It will be interesting to see how both teams bounce back from disappointing performances. Could be a very fun game for both teams (unlike that corn holing you gave us last year at Arrowhead) as both clubs seem dedicated to playing a fairly attractive style of play. Even with Buddle out, KC's defense will be stretched, and I hope Gansler goes starts Kerry Zavagnin with Talley behind Preki. By the way, I have no idea what Josh Wolff's condition is right now. Don't even know what the injury is.
I certainly wouldn't cry if the Crew gave the Wiz another "corn holing" this time around. They really should be pissed with themselves for last week. I hope they're motivated enough to play their absolute best this weekend and to start stepping it up for their home games. As Busch was saying, they have to stop dropping points at home.
Its one thing to have a fireworks display in a state that has very few displays (Colorado), get 60000 fans, pump up our attendance and then run around bragging about having the MLS' highest average attendance. Its another thing to sell cheap brats, and have a couple bands play after the game. Even more so, you have no idea about the concert. One of my best friends works in radio and got hired by a new station in KC, 97.3 The Planet, that started up a little over a month ago. They put this show together in the last month to help their station get exposure, it wasnt put together by the Wizards just trying to get more people at the game. It may so happen that more people come, so be it. And in the end, as kaiser kraut said, our two first games have had higher attendance than your first two. You dont see KC fans running around bragging or talking down about other cities fans do you? Nope, we're just happy to be doing a little better this season. As for the game, Wolff came out early last week with ice on his right hamstring. We played our best and worst halves of soccer in one game last week. Both teams are coming off home losses and dont want to lose again and start a streak.
First, I can't wait for this game. I need something to get that horrible taste of last week out of my mouth. Ugh. I still am frustrated as hell. Second, Thank you Kaiser for shutting people up about attendance and promotions. Really, who cares what promotions they use? Now the game. I have watched two Wizards games this year on shootout cause quite frankly they intrigue me more than any team in the league. And after those two games I can't figure this team out at all. I've been Wolff basher for a while, but I thought a healthy Wolff could really give this team a dimension that could put it up in the top 2-3 in the league. Well we seen what has happened to Wolff, already he's injured again. The other guys up front quite frankly don't scare me still when they don't have Wolff up with them (Chris Brown? Please.). Watching Klein I still wonder what Arena saw from his MLS play that would make him worthy of a call-up. Yet their defense should be dominating and Meola should still be one of the top 2-3 keepers in the league. Yet one half they look like world beaters (1st half v Chicago) and second half Meola lets in three goals from more than 20 yards out. I have no idea what to expect from this game, but for the first time in a long time I think we are less likely to see a bunker style from a Gansler coached team than a Bradley coached team. Weird.
Are there any bars in Columbus w/ HDNet? Also - if you know of any bars interested in getting hooked up with HDTV/HDNet I would be happy to consult.
Re: Official Crew at KC thread, 3 May, 8 p.m. [R] they don't call them the missouri azzurri for nothing.
Psst, this happened over a full season ago. Me personally, I'm glad to read someone else has finally realized it. For the record, KC is leading MLS in goals and G/game. KC didn't bunker v CHI last week either. I doubt CHI will play a better :45 all season. I do think KC would be better off playing a counter-attack style and going for a 1-0 win v CLB. Reality has shown that KC will not get a SO, so at least 2 will be needed. CLB has been solid on D and KC has noone capable of covering either McBride, Cunny, or Hedjuk - especially Hedjuk. The only hint of speed up front is Wolff, and he should be hampered by the hammy if not out. If KC does not dominate possesion, Hedjuk should have chances to beat people. Not much has gone according to plan so far and home teams are an unbelievable 2-6-7. That has to turn around sometime. Why not KC with a home win to "upset" the yellow guys.
Predictions: I think the Crew come away with a win, it will be close throughout the match with both sides having their chances. I think it will be an entertaining match as both teams have shown their ability to go from endline to endline. The score going to be the Crew 2-1. With a late winner from Garcia who shots from 20 yards out. The Lineup I'd like to see: ----------Busch------------- Hejduk--Clark--Dunseth--Denton ---------Oughton------------ West-----Martino--------Garcia ----Cunningham--McBride------ Just a little change up from the last game. I think West has played well in the minutes he's played this year and I'd like to see him get a start. I just haven't been impressed with Mais at all this year and I'd like to see Oughton get some significant minutes.
I may be willing to see Westie get a start, I too think he has looked solid in his limited minutes. But, I don't think I am ready to bench mais yet, I have been impressed with him, oddly enough.
I just hope we don't have a knee-jerk reaction to the Metros game. If anything is changed, just put West in for Paule. The team was looking very good for the opening 3 games, and struggled for one. Hopefully we realize 1 poor match isn't reason to overhaul the lineup.
There doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for this game. Has one loss disapointed everyone that much? Prediction time 1-1 draw Meola plays outta his mind after a terrible second half last week. Martino scores on a breakaway (!) and Armstrong scores as a sub for KC reminding 3stripe of other times when Armstrong "scored."
Lamar looks to be rooting for the bad guys tomorrow... http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/5764991.htm