The 2011 Columbus Crew is Robert Warzycha's team. There will be no excuses come the end of this season, if the 2011 team is successful his decisions in this offseason will have a lot to do with it. Likewise, if the Crew are less successful than 2010, Warzycha's decisions might come back to haunt him in the 2011-2012 offseason.
Either way, the decisions have been made, and we have to support the manager and the team we have. Further, it's the opening game of the season which is the most optimistic moment of the season for a lot of fans. So, it's best to feed off the optimism now before Tuesday night is over.
How The Crew Are Shaping Up Defensively For The 2011 Season (And Against RSL on Tuesday)
Crew's manager Robert Warzycha has commented (and commented.. and commented again) in the last week that he has been happy and impressed with his defense in Arizona. That's all nice and good but the Crew also lost three games in Arizona, including a 4-2 loss to Houston.
Nevertheless, rookie Richard Balchan is wooing the Crew staff and may be ready to step into defense right away which is a good thing. Additionally, it also appears that the Crew staff is happy with Sebastian Miranda's transition to the MLS game so far which is also a positive.
On the other hand, the Crew are not shaping up well in defense for Tuesday's Concacaf Quarterfinal (Home Leg) as possible starting defenders Shaun Francis (left back) and Danny O'Rourke (center back) are out.
With that news the backline will likely be a game time decision for Warzycha, open for interpretation and discussion until it's announced on the Crew Stadium's loud speaker.
Backline expectations: Miranda and even Balchan are known for being versatile on the backline. Balchan may be less so though, so I could see Balchan starting at his more traditional right back and Miranda at left back with Marshall and Iro in the middle.
Miranda-----Iro------Marshall-----Balchan
The Midfield For The 2011 Season (And Against RSL)
The midfield is the Crew's strongpoint in 2011 with former starters Gaven, Ekpo, and Rogers complemented by the likes of Duka, Griffit, and the rookie Grossman.
Recently, Warzycha said that the Crew were likely to play two true forwards in 2011 complemented by an attacking midfielder. This means the Crew are likely looking to play a 4-4-2 diamond formation with an attacking and defending midfielder, along with two wingers in 2011.
With no injuries, I could see the Crew trotting out the following on opening day in midfield.
----------Rogers/Ekpo------------
Rogers/Ekpo-----------------Gaven
--------O'Rourke/Balchan---------
Against RSL on Tuesday, the Crew's likely best midfielder, Eddie Gaven, is questionable. Further, O'Rourke isn't expected to play and Balchan will likely have to go to the backline because of injuries there. Also, Burns may be ruled out because of a rib injury.
Therefore, the Crew may be more looking at a starting midfield of:
-------------Rogers-----------
Griffit-------------------Ekpo
-----------Grossman-----------
Or if Gaven can go:
----------Ekpo------------
Rogers---------------Gaven
---------Grossman---------
As a result, once again the Crew may be weaker than normal on the field this Tuesday because of injury issues.
The Offense For The 2011 Season (And Against RSL)
I think that the Crew's strikeforce is quietly the most improved area of this team so far in 2011. I like the options the Crew has with Mendoza, Renteria, Cunningham, and Meram compared to the beginning of 2010 with Renteria, Herrera, Garey, and Lenhart.
I may not totally agree with the substantial pay increase for Mendoza but if he scored 13 goals in Mexico two years ago, he should be able to do the same in America with a full season. Meram is a talented product and I like the aggressive move by the Crew to get him for Lenhart. Cunningham has 28 goals over the last two seasons, so there is no reason Cunningham couldn't poach 10 more for the Crew this year. And finally, I believe Renteria is a good run of form away from a 10-15 goal year for the Crew, as Renteria steadily improves and is a work horse.
The starting lineup up top for the Crew on Tuesday and for the season will likely be:
Mendoza--------------Renteria
With either Cunningham or Meram getting 20-30 minutes off the bench.
X FACTORS IN RSL MATCHUP:
For the Crew the X Factor will be the play in defense of rookie Richard Balchan and new international Sebastian Miranda, will there play be enough to keep the RSL attack at bay. For RSL, it will be the play of Brazilian youngster Paulo Jr., how will he combine with Saborio in the attack and does he have more CONCACAF goals in him.
The winner of these unknowns, will likely win the game. I can see the Crew slating one or two past RSL's defense, but the big question mark is whether the Crew's makeshift defense on Tuesday can hold RSL's offense in check.
OVERALL, HOW DOES THE CREW MATCH UP AGAINST RSL:
Although the following lineup isn't what the Crew would like to start out the CONCACAF Quarterfinals with-
----Mendoza------------Renteria------
--------------Ekpo-------------------
Rogers--------------------------Gaven
------------Grossman-----------------
Miranda----Iro-----Marshall---Balchan
-------------Burse-------------------
Especially in the goalkeeping position as Burse hasn't started a MLS game since 2009, Real Salt Lake are going through their own issues of an unfinalized roster.
Even with RSL's own issues, concerns, and question marks, the Crew will have to be on their toes in defense on Tuesday as RSL has some offensive punch by adding Arturo Alvarez to the likes of Saborio, an impressive Brazilian youngster Paulo Jr., and Javier Morales.
However, I believe the excitement of the first game at Columbus Crew Stadium for the 2011 season will lift the Crew in their opener of this CONCACAF series. Hopefully, being at home lifts the Crew to a two or greater goal lead as they'll need it in the away leg at Rio Tinto next week... Especially if the Crew do not get healthier in a week's time.
RESULT: Crew 3, RSL 1. The Crew will need a big game from their new attack. I think Renteria, Mendoza, and Cunningham all get off to the races with a goal a piece for the good guys, but RSL keeps it close by exchanging the first goal and going into half at 1-1. The Crew pull away late, as the home momentum and bad weather is just too much for RSL to overcome.
You forgot about Burns. There is no way Coach W will start Grossman over Kevin.
ReplyDeleteActually he didn't. In the midfield section he said Burns may be ruled out as well because of a rib injury which will likely lead to Grossman at DM.
ReplyDeleteI actually rather see what Grossman has than go with Burns, excited to see some new faces.
Expect a win at home, RSL had a good ammount of turnover this season as well.
we have seen ekpo in the center of the park and it just clearly isnt his strong spot. eddie will be the attacking mid bc he can play anywhere in the midfield with confidence and can move the ball throughout the pitch. ekpo or griffit should be starting outwide opposite rogers
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