RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
The Columbus Crew begins their MLS Cup defense tonight at 6pm in Salt Lake City against Real Salt Lake in the first round of the MLS playoffs. The Crew had the best record in MLS this year, winning 13 games, losing 7 and tying 10 for 49 points, but lost three games in the past month. Salt Lake is the only team in the playoffs with a losing record. They won 11 games, lost 12, and tied 7 for 40 points.
The first round of the playoffs is a two game series. Columbus heads west for the first game where Real Salt Lake only lost once this year. It’s also the site of Crew’s worst loss this season, a 4-1 drubbing back in April at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Crew will be guarding against an upset against a team that impressively won their last game 3-0 to sneak into the playoffs.
Columbus will have a full collection of attackers looking to improve on their recent form. Reigning league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto led the Crew with 12 goals and will look to direct an offense that has only scored one goal in the last month. The strong defense will be bolstered by the return of leading defender Chad Marshall.
Tonight’s game can be found on ONN (joined in progress), Time Warner Ch. 24, Insight Ch. 432, WOW Ch. 101, WBNS-DT 10.2. The Crew returns home for the 2nd game of the series on Thursday night starting at 8pm at Crew Stadium. The team that scores the most goals in the two games will decide the winner and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Patrick Guldan writes about soccer for Columbus Underground and at An American Game. He can also be found on twitter @anamericangame.
With ONN showing the game “in progress”, I am going to catch this one at Claddagh’s. I do have a little bit of a bad feeling about this one. I hope the guys can keep it close and we blow them out at home next Thursday.
I’ll be watching at Studio 35.
I’m disappointed I’ll be in New York on Thursday for the match.
Team has got to find a way to score. I thought Renteria and Lenhart starting up top was a bold move, but i thought they could do it. Lenhart certainly matched Olave’s physicality.
There just doesn’t seem to be much attack coming up the middle with Carroll and O’Rourke? Maybe that was coach’s plan? Play for a tie on the road? Maybe now put Schelotto in the middle at home to score?
I hope we make full use of the home field advantage on Thursday night.
I have to think Warzycha was playing for a tie, but I am very surprised that he left Schelotto on the bench the entire game. I would have liked to see him as a late game free kick specialist in an attempt to steal a point. The Garey sub was useless. These are the things I don’t understand.