Saturday, March 16, 2013

Predictions: Crew v SJ (Rd 3)

Good Morning,

Columbus plays host to the San Jose Earthquakes today and open their season at home. Game starts at 5:30 PM cold and damp Ohio time. 2:30 PM 'Quake time.

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GAME NOTES
• Some gamesmanship from Warzycha yesterday but looking like Eddie Gaven will sit this one out.
• SJ is without their two big men up top in Lenhart and Gordon (injuries).
• Crew's Meram seemed awfully excited this week, start is possible.
• Both clubs pulled 3 pts from first two games
• SJ played both at home, Crew both away
• Weather looks fine for mid-March in Ohio. Low 40s, damp.
• Perfect soccer weather DON GARBER.
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PREDICTIONS

Starting out with Mr. Drew Epperley today because he has been dead on with Crew predictions this year. He has the Crew winning this one 2:1... "could be a long trip home for the Quakes." He also mentions it as a trap for SJ. Not so sure they are that good right now to pull that word.

The rag tag bunch of Pick 'em mastery at MLSsoccer.com is going big with the Crew. Five(5) picks for a Crew win and one draw.

bet365 has the Crew favored at 13/10, 9/4 Draw, 21/10 SJ. Likely scorelines are standard, slight leaning towards low scoring.

Betting aggregate site Win Draw Win's trusty fan vote (when I say trusty, I mean oracle like accuracy) surprisingly has SJ confidently out front. 38% of the vote going their way, 33% Draw. Stake is on a 0:1 SJ win. The wiseguys smell something today. Will be interesting if that changes. Surprising.

Goal.com hasn't bothered with previewing this game yet (rest of games are done).

Still waiting on my Columbus Dispatch [UPDATED: Adam Jardy is confident the Crew can pull this one out if they can minimize mistakes].

MY THOUGHTS

Lots of excitement from the Crew supporter base for this game. GM Mark McCullers has been successful in hyping the crap out of this season (the last year on Robert Warzycha's contract) and has the fans all set with high expectations.

It's going to be cold and wet which may give the Crew some advantage but not much. Crew players haven't been in town much the past two months.

Frank Yallop and his goonie squad seem to always be up for anything. Them and their perfect damn weather and good 'call us team supplemental' attitudes.

Where was I? Oh. SJ will be a good team again this year but not sure they are there yet. I wouldn't be surprised if this one comes out even.

The only way this could turn out badly is because Columbus has made a lot of mistakes in front of goal this year (go back and watch the Chivas USA game). San Jose will feast off the Crew if that happens this evening. It's what made them the best team last year.

We'll see, should be a good match. Feels good to have soccer back in town.

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