Columbus Crew Looks towards 2nd Half of Season

The Columbus Crew reach the midpoint of the season in second place and primed for a playoff spot, seemingly living up to the high expectations that many had for this season. The record and league position hide the immense troubles that plagued the Crew at the start of the season and the remarkable response in the last month and a half. After starting the season with two losses and three ties in their first five games, the Crew salvaged their season by reeling off five wins and four ties, only losing once in the next ten.

It is difficult looking back to the beginning of the season and seeing the same team. The Crew suffered little change from their MLS Cup winning squad from 2008, but injuries, suspensions, and national team call-ups took their toll on the lineup. Eight opening day starters have missed time for one reason or another. This list included extended absences by captain Frankie Hejduk, Robbie Rogers, and William Hesmer. The lack of continuity hurt the team, there was little consistency early in the season and it showed in the results. Late leads turned into ties and the team kept dropping points.

The turning point to the early season troubles came in the season’s 8th game against Kansas City. It was much like games earlier in the season. The Crew led at home, but let it slip away until coming back to take a two goal lead. Kansas City would trim that to one to make the last 10 minutes a taut affair. Instead of crumpling, the Crew were able to hold on to the lead and get their first win of the year. The relief among the team and supporters was immense.

After getting that first win, Columbus shot up the standings. In the next seven games, the Crew won four games, tying twice, and only losing once to rise up to second place in the Eastern Conference. Guillermo Barros Schelotto went on a scoring tear to win the player of the month award for June. Unheralded backups, Eric Brunner, Jed Zayner, and Andy Gruenebaum stepped up when called upon as the team rounded into form. Despite all of the early season struggles, the Crew revived their season.

Columbus now faces a busy second half of the season. The Crew face the first place D.C. United in a nationally televised Independence Day matchup. The next week the team travels to Chicago to take on the Fire in another rivalry game with league position at stake. Columbus then have two more home games to round out the month of July. With the roll they are on, the Crew could vault into first place with a couple of good wins.

The schedule gets even busier as the Crew play six games in the CONCACAF Champions League. Travel and two games a week will continue to test the team’s depth. If there was a silver lining to the injury bug that the Crew earlier, most of the bench has had to play in real games getting valuable experience along the way. The Crew will be well positioned to handle all of the games that are packing the fall schedule.

This is now a team that is finding its identity. Schelotto is a leader on the field. Hejduk adds bite to both the defense and offense. Warzycha now has a half a season to understand the rigors of being a head coach. The Crew are almost fully healthy and have the depth and seasoning to challenge in two competitions, MLS and the Champions League. This team may have flown under the radar, but look ready to make some noise, much like their diehard supporters in the Nordecke.

Follow along with the Crew’s second half in the Crew 2009 Season Discussion thread.

Patrick Guldan writes about soccer for Columbus Underground. Patrick’s other soccer notes can be found at An American Game and on twitter @anamericangame.