New faces have stepped up for the Crew in their last two victories over the Colorado Rapids (4-1) and Houston Dynamo (2-0). Venezuelan U-20 player Bernardo Anor (picked deep in the 2011 draft- 3rd round, 48th pick) posted a goal and an assist in the 2-0 victory against Houston on June 18th. Anor backed that up with another solid 90 minutes against the Colorado Rapids on June 26th.
Anor Spotlight: Perfect assist for Mendoza's goal against Houston
Justin Meram, the highly touted University of Michigan product; who didn't particularly show much in his early appearances this season, showed his blistering pace in that same Houston game by blowing by the Houston defense and setting up Anor's goal in the Houston contest to finish off the Dynamo. The zero to sixty change in pace seen in Meram's assist, was similiar to some of his goals in the Big Ten, a skill that Crew fans appreciated in the youngster. As of late, Meram has set himself up nicely as a late impact, speed option off of the bench.
Meram Spotlight: Acceleration catches Dynamo defense off guard, leads to Anor's goal
Tommy Heinemann, who played for the third division Charleston Battery and second division Carolina Railhawks last season, has surprised everyone by being the favored option up top with Andres Mendoza as of late (most would of expected the more experienced Renteria or Cunningham to be in that position instead). The strong, tall Heinemann repaid Warzycha's faith in him with an insurance goal against the Rapids on June 26th. The goal should help Heinemann's confidence; and the 3 goals between the striker duo of Heinemann and Mendoza on Sunday against the Rapids makes it likely that the two will team up once again against Dallas on July 2nd.
Heinemann Spotlight: Late goal gets Heinemann on the scoresheet
The emergence of these three and Mendoza's uptick in performances as of late has the Crew back in the hunt for the top spot in the Eastern conference.
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