Dispatching the Crew

I wish I could debunk the numbers and data reported in today's Columbus Dispatch. I've got game by game data here in front of me. No matter how you slice it; Crew attendance is down. Way down. Since I am in agreement with the paper about the numbers (and I enjoy the local beat writer) then why am I still a little angry?

"Thanks to roster turnover, a prolonged economic slump and some rotten weather, the Crew's average announced attendance is last in the league - 22 percent lower then last year."
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(hope Bleeno likes my title up there).

Shawn Mitchell Shows Fang

Shawn Mitchell is the beat writer covering the Crew for the Columbus Dispatch. Less guarded in his post today on his blog for the paper taking shots at Red Bulls TV analyst Shep Messing for his comments about Mendoza during last weekends game.

Harvard Grad Shep's comments during the game:

"Shockingly bad."

"That's just pathetic."

"A DP? You have to be kidding me."

"Shockingly poor."

Mr. Mitchell's response?

"Messing, by the way, was a former NASL goalkeeper, nude model and bargain-brand smokeless tobacco pitchman in the 1970s."

Tobacco ad video added.

Not sure what's better... Shep's "Shep" jersey or his line at the end: "it's really relaxin', try sum." Hey! I had that soccer ball.