New York 0 – Crew 1 (Game 15 – June 27th)
In what was billed as a “Night of Champions”, the Crew faced off against a woeful New York Red Bull side that has been even worse on the road, not having won since the road to MLS Cup last year. The team got their championship rings from last year and Columbus resident, and former heavyweight champ Buster Douglas were on hand to watch the proceedings. Neither team put in a top performance you expect from a champion. However, as the Crew proved over the last year, sometimes getting three points is what makes a champion.
The first half was the type of game you expect from two teams heading in different directions. Columbus pressured New York, controlled possession, and looked like the much better team. Surprise starter Steven Lenhart did his best Alejandro Moreno impression, leading the strike force. Robbie Rogers got behind the defense often and Schelotto drifted into dangerous positions. Despite the offensive flow, the Crew were unable to get a clear chance at the Red Bull goal.
The Crew’s best chances would come off their set piece dominance. Schelotto had three targets to pick from; Lenhart, Eric Brunner, and Chad Marshall are all tall, physical players. The first chance would come nearly 40 minutes into the game off of a Schelotto corner kick. Lenhart’s soft header landed right in the hands of Red Bull goalie Danny Cepero.
The Crew pressure lead to another flurry of set pieces just before halftime. Schelotto again lofted up a good ball that Lenhart connected with and unleashed a ferocious header that was cleared over the ball by Red Bull defender Alfredo Pacheco. The second corner would find Chad Marshall. Cepero, screened by Gaven, was unable to save the shot and the Crew were up 1-0 on a goal in 1st half stoppage time.
Down in yet another road game, New York started the second half with more energy than they showed the entire first half. Stringing together a few passes, the Red Bulls were finally able to get a off a dangerous shot midway through the second half. Jorge Rojas fired off a long-range shot that deflected off of Eric Brunner and off the crossbar. Hesmer had a good look at the shot and would have probably easily stopped the shot. It only confirmed that New York would only be able to get back into the game with the Crew’s help.
As the second half slipped away, it was more and more clear the help the Red Bulls needed was not coming. The Crew looked tight on offense; Rogers and Gaven had good chances to put the game away, but were unable to. The defense, with the recently returned Frankie Hejduk was rock solid. New York’s hopeful long ball attempts were headed away by the towering due of Brunner and Marshall. The defensively minded midfield duo of Brian Carroll and Danny O’Rourke kept the Red Bulls from getting any clear shots at goal.
It was not the offensive display the Crew have had to rely on to get wins this year, but it was an good sign from a team still trying to find it’s self this year. The Crew stands at the midpoint of the regular season in 2nd place in the Easter Conference. After a woeful start and a few hiccups along the way, this is a team that is looking more and more like champions. They may not be there yet, but they are starting to find that killer instinct again. Warzycha is growing into his roll as the guy in charge. The ever-shifting back line is starting to find some solid form and some depth as well. The offense still revolves around Schelotto, but the roles of the supporting cast are coming into sharper focus.
With three out of four games at home next month, including next week against East leading D.C., this is a critical time for the Crew. A string of good results could catapult them to a strong lead in the conference and within striking distance of the Supporters Shield. Shaking off the Cup hangover took longer than anyone anticipated, but this is a team that is primed for a strong second half of the season.
