5.22.2013: Crew Once Again Faced With Dutch Lion Elimination Scenario In U.S. Open Cup

Dutch Lions Move On To Face Crew For Second Straight Season, After 4-1 Overtime Result

A bottom of the barrel Dayton Dutch Lions side defeated the Columbus Crew, in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, last season. 

This year the Dayton Dutch Lions are improved on the field and will be looking forward to a second go at their Major League Soccer neighbors. 

Shintaro Harada, has top level experience in Japan and is a veteran at this level; Irakli Khutsidze is a former U-21 player for Georgia.

That duo has led the Dayton Dutch Lions to a 3-2-1 record to start the 2013 USL Pro season, as well as two U.S. Open Cup wins.

Both have started all six games in central midfield, as well as both Open Cup games. 

These two players will be raring to make an impression against a Major League Soccer side; There not alone, a bunch of young American players on DDL F.C. will be looking to impress the Crew and online scouts/viewers.

That combined with a front office at DDL F.C. that takes the U.S. Open Cup as a very serious tournament, can be a dangerous trap for a Crew side (looking for a breather).

Owner Mike Mossel really stresses going as far as possible in the tournament for recognition of their brand.

That was apparent in the will shown last season, in their defeat of the Crew in the 3rd Round, despite a disappointing USL Pro campaign.

Harada and Khutsidze are not the only talent the Crew will contend with.

They are joined by quality up top in American Gibson Bardsley (on a tear with 4 goals in 6 games).

Bardsley, similiar to Oduro for Columbus, is on an uptick of goal scoring form so far in 2013.

Joel DeLass is another leader in midfield with two goals, playing all 540 minutes. Gregory Preciado has also played all 540 minutes in defense.

On the other side of things, will the Columbus Crew take this tournament a bit more serious to avoid embarrassment a second time? 

Robert Warzycha sides have been lax usually about the U.S. Open Cup. 

Eliminated three out of four times at this 3rd Round juncture, but making the final (against Seattle) the one time they made it past this point.

Considering it could be the only chance they have at glory and CONCACAF maybe the Crew should give it a go?

May 29th will be there chance to set the record straight. 

Losing in the U.S. Open Cup to lower division opposition has never been a popular move with fans, especially with the Cup being named after former Crew Owner Lamar Hunt.

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5.22.2013: Oduro Continues Revival in 1-0 Win

Columbus was on the road so they naturally won, and naturally it was Dominic Oduro making the difference.. 

The speedster had 6 goals in 33 appearances last year for the Chicago Fire, this year Dominic Oduro has 5 goals in 11 appearances to lead the Columbus Crew in scoring.

A short list of people saw that in the stars.. 

Few would of expected Dom Oduro to be in black and yellow in 2013, and few would expect him to outpace Arrieta and Higuain at the club this season (especially with that duo's 2012 second half). 

But, that's what is happening this season... 

I'm glad for Oduro. Few people get that chance at redemption, and Dom Oduro is taking his chance by the horns.

Is his revival in Columbus though hurting or disrupting Arrieta and Higuain's ability to connect?

Unfortunately for Arrieta's 2013 campaign it doesn't matter until he scores consistently again. He's going to have to put more on the board, otherwise Oduro is going to be that main man. 

No one will ever disagree with goals in the back of the net.

Whoever, scores the most becomes the target man. The man the opposition has to stop, and right now that is Dominic Oduro.

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5.17.2013: Lost The Plot

I can barely read anything on THECREW.com anymore, if I have to read another the Crew "haven't lost faith" article I'm going to puke..

Put your favorite sing song music behind the start of the above, linked article.

"Despite losing its last two matches, both at home, the Crew remains a confident group as it heads to Toronto to kick off the 2013 edition of the Trillium Cup"

Oh, really? 

The Crew have won five points  out of a possible fifteen at home to start the season.

At Arsenal, that sort of start had fans doubting Arsene Wenger.

In comparison, our front office is more worried about updating us on the decrepit scoreboard (several times with several articles) or on how close we've been, for the last two years, on getting stadium naming rights. 

So, any crow calls you have over a 2-0 loss at home against the Colorado Rapids save it.

The Crew front office and ownership is never going to do something extreme, they rather play it out for five years. Even getting them to fire Greg Andrulis was a long drawn out process. So, good luck.

Yes, it should be like Manchester City, if you lose a FA Cup Final against Wigan, then it's lampshades Roberto Mancini. 

So, why? Oh, why is no result in Major League Soccer important anymore? Especially with this team?

Losing 2-0 at home against the Colorado Rapids is just unacceptable. I see perhaps a rival sneaking one in at home, but 2-0 against Colorado, with their long flight? If were not winning that one at home, were in trouble... 

If you can't win that, were going to have problems picking up points anywhere this year.

Since 2008, the Crew have never lost more than three home games in a season, they've lost two in two weeks. This my friends is a problem. 

And, if you want to over-dramatize, perhaps a crisis (but your assumptions on what goes on in the Crew locker room are as good as mine).

And, sure, four of those years, of 3 losses or less, were with Robert Warzycha. 

But, has he ever been good enough as a coach? Can he inspire? Or can he just make a decent club decent? And is that good enough?

I don't think so. Does anyone even really care though? Do the owners?

That may be the only thing that works. 

I couldn't tell you the direction of the organization? I couldn't tell you what Warzycha wants out of his team? 

I don't think anyone in the organization is legitimately trying to connect with the fans (beyond perhaps Frankie Hejduk). 

The biggest story forever this season has been the naming rights for the stadium, how is this news until it happens? And do any of us care?

Did Browns fans get into a tivvy of excitement when their stadium was renamed First Energy? Nope, who gives a crap?

We want results on the field, not updates on how close the Crew organization is to reaching their goals (no one cares until you reach them).

And Warzycha has played for this club for six years (his longest tenure) and has been involved with the club ever since. I don't think he needs to act like Paolo Di Canio, but some emotion wouldn't be a bad thing?

So, what's the next step.. Well, tell us TheCrew.com..

Columbus Crew manager Robert Warzycha likes to keep his starting lineup a secret from the media, but it wasn't too hard to figure it out for a few weeks when he went with the same XI for four straight matches earlier this season (nice run-on by the way).

When asked who would be paired at center back because of injuries, Warzycha said..

"We'll see." 

The rest of the article pretty much tells you nothing, and makes you wonder why the Columbus Crew wrote the article in the first place.

Captivating, but hey don't worry about that READ MORE: About the Crew players showcasing their talents on twitter.

When this organization begins to take themselves a little more serious, perhaps they will gain more fans. 

I can assure you the people in the corner take it serious, for everyone else it seems like decent is decent enough.

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5.1.2013: Copa Libertadores No Brainer To Higuain, Or Well Anyone

FC Bate Borisov doesn't say "we've qualified for the Champions League, but were unsure if we can compete.." Higuain tells MLS to put their big boy pants on.
Source: Simon Borg, MLSSoccer.com

CONMEBOL wants Major League Soccer clubs in Copa Libertadores (the South American version of the European and Concacaf Champions League) by 2015.

Problem with that is MLS clubs have yet to win their own Champions League. Plus, it's a long distance to travel.

Like a Crew road game to Los Angeles is a short distance?

Higuain appears to be keen on the chance to compete in Copa Libertadores for his new club Columbus Crew. 

And really any American club that wants to increase it's global brand and a chance at glory should be keen; they should want the option every year of playing in an electric Copa Libertadores.

Corinthians of Brazil run in 2012



Higuain stated on the chance:

"I think it would be very important for MLS. Competing against teams that have a long history would be a step forward. … I think when you compete, you get better and even more so when you're able to compete against an entire continent and against different styles of soccer and different ways of living the sport. It can help all of us get better."

Major League Soccer, in a South American Champions League, can also lead to more South American fans exposed to MLS clubs and more South American players. Top notch ones perhaps.

Think about it, if going to Red Bull New York doesn't end your dreams of winning a Copa Libertadores title and you can go after it with Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill, some players may say eventually why not?

The travel hasn't stopped Mexican clubs from taking part, this eventually will be the case as well, I believe, for Major League Soccer.

The risk is worth the reward. 

If a Major League Soccer club wins our Champions League, "okay you can compete with Mexico." If a Major League Soccer club eventually wins Copa Libertadores (or puts a good showing in) "okay you can compete with Brazil and Argentina."

This eventually will be what legitimizes the league in Europe and worldwide.

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4.30.2013: Hopefully..

I hope this is the case, and not just a case of a really bad D.C. United defense that the Crew can easily overpower...

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4.30.2013: Trending On This Tuesday...

Lenhart continues to bash, Robbie Rogers back in soccer, Tommy Heinemann is back to health and scoring in Vancouver, and more.

1. Crew players got to hang out with WWE Monday Night Raw performers and appeared on television on the USA Network.

Pictures and more are on the Crew blog, click here.

2. Robbie Rogers has been in contact with NBA Center James Collins, 34, who recently came out as gay.

Rogers congratulated him for also coming out. The article also said that Rogers was back in MLS.

Collins from SI.COM:
But some people would put soccer up there, too (as a big four sport), and Robbie Rogers has already blazed a trail there. I'm just trying to live my life authentically."

The recently retired and now recently unretired Rogers, who phoned Collins yesterday while driving to a Los Angeles Galaxy tryout, said, "It feels a little weird to congratulate you for being honest."

3. Tommy Heinemann is back to health and scoring, getting the game winner last night in Edmonton (for the Canadian Championship/easiest way to CONCACAF Champions League). 

4. Steven Lenhart just being bad. Look at this foul

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4.30.2013: #DonGarberAnnouncement On Thursday At Crew Stadium

What is it Don? Man City Sheik will be our new owner, Farmers Insurance our new stadium sponsor?

There will be an announcement at Crew Stadium after training on Thursday, May 2nd from MLS Commissioner Don Garber. 

The announcement may or may not have anything to do with the Columbus Crew..

And if it does... It will probably be to announce our new stadium rights deal with a Columbus Fire Alarm company; In exchange for free fire alarms (and perhaps fire awareness- if late negotiations work in our favor).

It could also be to announce the 20th MLS team? Or some sort of Man City NYC2 Franchise news? 

All joking aside I'm sure there will be some Columbus announcement, perhaps paired with a couple other MLS league announcement hints.

If you have a good guess of what brings Garber here, get in on the fun with the twitter hashtag: #DonGarberAnnouncement.

Crew fans have guessed everything from Allstate as the owner of Stadium rights, to Polaroid cameras for Nordecke "come-lately's" that like to take pictures, to Man Citeh legend/new Crew player Glauber convincing Man City's ownership to become the new owners of the Columbus Crew.

What do you think?

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4.30.2013: Konrad Warzycha Has Debut

4.30.2013: Konrad Warzycha Has Debut

The 24 year old, Warzycha, didn't do bad coming on for some defensive help in a game the Crew were 3-nil up. The Warzycha's become the second MLS father and son duo to play for the same club (or probably any MLS club). 

Some Crew fans declared nepotism (an amusing youtube video by a Crew fan worth a look on that subject matter). And, yeah being someone's son probably helps when your battling for a roster spot.

But, Konrad seems like a good, hard working kid that deserves a chance to prove himself. 

He's also another hometown type player.

"To get that first appearance for the Crew, especially with the crowd we had here tonight-- everybody was electrified, it was a dream come true."

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4.30.2013: The Crew Scoreboard

4.30.2013: The Crew Scoreboard 

 A little video I made patching together some of my favorite amateur videos from Saturday's scoreboard disaster:
   

 The Columbus Crew Stadium scoreboard engulfs in flames during warmups 15 years after it was built. It's still unclear whether it was a bird nest, electrical failure, or the 1970 speakers that the Columbus Crew refurbished from Cleveland Browns Municipal Stadium. Or could it be the work of this guy?
   

 Thank you goes out to youtube users Derrick Tussey, Bananaluver3, redfoxme53, and Fox Sports Ohio for the memorable footage.

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4.29.2013: Crewture Oduro Tribute Video

Pic By Sam Fahmi

4.29.2013: Crewture Oduro Tribute Video

All four goals from Dominic Oduro's 8 games as a Columbus Crew player:

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