The Columbus Crew host Toronto FC today at Crew Stadium. Whistle blows at 6:00 PM EST and temps will be in the 40s.
GAME NOTES
CLB : Still healthy through four games to start season
CLB : Hot start to the season, looking for 4th win in a row
CLB : Not sure what else to add here
TFC : Missing starters Defoe and Caldwell
TFC : Doneil Henry and Ashtone Morgan are also out
TFC : Still have Gilberto, Cesar and Bradley
TEN PREDICTIONS
On the left is % correct so far this year (only three games in).
100% WIN DRAW WIN ... COLUMBUS CREW
With last weeks correct pick, Win Draw Win is the only place I track left with a perfect record and, just as the first three weeks, they like the Crew this week with 57% in the "Your Votes" section. (30% Draw, 12% TFC).
67% COLUMBUS DISPATCH ... COLUMBUS CREW
After going over pregame notes, Adam Jardy comes to the conclusion that "it’s tough to imagine Toronto leaving Crew Stadium with any points." Pick up a paper today if you get a chance.
33% BET365 ... COLUMBUS CREW
Still heavy on the home sides here. Only away fav is LA over Chivas, actually. No different for the Crew this week either. If fact, the Crew have best odds of anyone this weekend at 5/6 (5/2 Draw, 10/3 TFC).
33% GOAL.COM ... COLUMBUS CREW
Rudi Schuller paints a dark picture for the Reds this week with all the injuries; "without all of its weapons it could be a long night for the Reds." Readers like TFC in the voting section but that sucker is just a popularity contest.
33% HOME TEAM ... COLUMBUS CREW
Home team wins most of the time.
33% MLSSOCCER ... COLUMBUS CREW
Another across the board pick for the Crew. How things have changed over recent years.
33% WHOSCORED.COM ... TORONTO FC
Graham Ruthven coming strong this week by saying; "If Michael Bradley is on top form, Toronto FC should end Columbus' impressive start to the season." I've been tracking Ruthven's picks since last year, not all that great. This year I'm going to start tracking team ratings as done by this site as well. It matches up better with what they do anyhow. There, the Crew are favored (6.9 vs 6.7).
0% WV HOOLIGAN ... COLUMBUS CREW
Drew Epperley is the only one on my list to have not picked the Crew to win any of the first three. That changes this week, though. He thinks the Crew could give TFC another reality check this week. 2-0 Crew.
n/a% MASSIVE REPORT ... n/a
"Really?" Check out what Berhalter said after Pat Murphy broke the news to him that Jermaine Defoe was out this week.
n/a% TABLE POSITION ... n/a
Still not to five games.
MY THOUGHTS
Just about everyone here is discounting Toronto this week, pretty much to the point of giving them an excuse. Last check the Reds have still have players on the team whose salaries eclipse that off all the Crew in Micheal Bradley in the midfield, Julio Cesar in goal and Gilberto up top.
Saying the team has no chance because Defoe and Caldwell are out and a couple other players are nicked up? It's a joke and covers up the team's number one problem... coaching (well, number two problem behind ownership).
Toronto is a Frankenstein of a professional team. They are fully capable of getting a couple goals but are also capable of getting embarrassed. Seems most believe it will be the later. Which should tell TFC fans all they need to know about their team and the millions they have thrown in the garbage.
These two met up in the preseason and were part of the same tournament just a little over a month ago. TFC couldn't find a win in four games down there and only managed one draw with a team that look similar to today's projected lineup.
Columbus only needs to watch out for Gilbero and Rosario up top (both not in form) and giving away free kicks in dangerous spots around the box. Outside of that things should be easy for the Crew. TFC isn't a possession team this year and has not interest in it and they are in the lower half of the league in terms of shots on target per game (4.3).
Toronto shouldn't be bad this week even with all the injuries, but they probably will be.
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