Operation Sellout

[Artwork by Massive City FFC]

With the strength of 100 MLS ticket sales interns and the mind of a combined 61.7 sales executives, Massive Report colleague Matt Goshert has been and is on a mission. A mission to sellout this weekend's home match against the Houston Dynamo.

If you are in Columbus town head on over to watch some soccer tomorrow.

Find out more, here:

OPERATION JUNE 1 SELLOUT

Go!

Eddie Gaven's Injury [UPDATED]

Late on in an inspired game against the Dayton Dutch Lions, Eddie Gaven was tackled by Taylor Lord while charging down the inside edge of the 18 yard box. Lord seemed to get the ball but also sent Gaven tumbling to the ground.

In looking through the Crew Facebook page today I noticed that there were two photos taken by Greg Bartram (for USA Today Sports Images) of the tackle. Be sure to look Greg up if you need a good photographer.

Above are (rather hastily put together) screen caps of two photos taken during the tackle. I found them pretty amazing. Not sure too much can be derived from them right now but after we find out the nature of the injury it might make more sense. I will update as news comes out about his injury.

The Columbus Crew would be dealt a serious body blow if Gaven is out for an extended period of time.

As of the time of this writing the Crew have said it is a leg injury and he is getting it looked at today. Gaven was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and said to have left on crutches.

Along with Federico Higuain, Eddie Gaven was the difference in the Crew's 2:1 win over Dayton last night.
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[UPDATE, Thursday May 30, 6 PM: Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch is reporting that the Crew will release Gaven's injury details Friday afternoon. This likely means it is more serious then a normal hamstring or sprained ankle. This may be the old crusty DC side of me talking, but releasing it late also allows the Crew to pull together positive articles to get out in front of the bad news].
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[UPDATE; Thursday May 30, 10 PM: It's an ACL injury. Eddie is out for the year. Details to come from the club on Friday. “Eddie Gaven does so many things. If you ask anybody on this club, they’re going to tell you that there’s only one Eddie Gaven." - Robert Warzycha.]

US Open Cup, Crew 2:1 Dayton

Columbus took down Dayton at Crew Stadium 2:1 and advance to the next round of the US Open Cup.



In order to sidestep some of the mistakes made the past two years the Crew decided it was best to field an experienced lineup. MLS vets; Gehrig, Glauber, Wahl, Gaven, O’Rourke, Speas, and Higuain all found their numbers called to start along less experienced Matt Lampson, Konrad Warzycha, Chad Barson, and Schoenfeld.

Going back a bit further, Columbus was looking to not lose their 4th game in 5 years to a lower division team.

1ST HALF
The game started off with some promise as both teams looked to control the midfield but things went dark for Dayton in the 14th minute when Brock Granger took down Eddie Gaven when he was on his way to goal. He was shown red and Dayton went down to 10 men.

From there the half sort of went stale.



2ND HALF
Columbus seemed to come out of the break looking to snatch a goal but only a couple players looked into it. Fortunately, one of those players was Eddie Gaven. He was having one of his hungry games on the evening and placed a pretty shot across the front of the Dayton keeper for a goal. Higuain notched the assist.

After that, again, the game went into a slumber.

After looking like this one was going to end 1:0 Dayton's Shane Smith put one past Lampson to tie it up. Suddenly from there the game looked like an actual game as both teams felt they could win. Crew answered quick though as the Justin Meram was able to tee up a shot from about 20 yards out that bent into the bottom right corner to put the Crew up for good.

FINAL THOUGHTS
This was not the prettiest game and it may have come at some cost to the Crew. Eddie Gaven looked to go down on his shoulder after being knocked down. A handful of Crew players came over to check on him and a couple, including Danny O'Rourke put hands on head as if to know it was serious.

Word is out that it is his leg. Losing Gaven would be a blow to this years playoff chances.

Gaven was the bright spot of this game for the Crew as was Higuain. The Crew backline didn't have too much to do and Aaron Schoenfeld didn't get a lot of looks. Dayton's two CBs did well.

MLS Enters US Open Cup Today

16 Major League Soccer teams are join the 100th US Open Cup today. Officially it is the third round of the tournament.

Over at Massive Report I break down the Columbus Crew and their upcoming match with Dayton Dutch Lions. Go give it a read if you get a chance.

Somewhat buried in all that fun are my thoughts on all of the MLS matches starting today and tomorrow. Today is a really, really big day for clubs lower down the US Soccer pyramid. I can't emphasis that enough. Really big day. So, here is that pulled out.

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May 28, 2013
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Most games kick off around 7 PM EST. USL Live on UNATION will have the Kickers v. DC United, Charleston Battery v. San Jose and Orlando v. Colorado Rapids.

Rochester Rhinos v New England Revolution - Rochester, New York

Philadelphia Union v Ocean City Nor'easters - Chester, Pennsylvania

Somewhat mysteriously, the US Soccer took this game away from Ocean City, where it was originally scheduled, and put it in Philly. There should be a large contingent of Nor’easters’ fans in Chester to pull them on.

Richmond Kickers v D.C. United - Richmond, Virginia

Look for the Kickers to put up a good fight but because of the new MLS relationship with USL Pro this is more of a big brother little brother matchup now. Year’s past it these two were pretty fierce enemies.

Sporting Kansas City v Des Moines Menace - Kansas City, Kansas

Los Angeles Blues v Chivas USA - Fullerton, California

Fort Lauderdale Strikers v FC Dallas - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Orlando City v Colorado Rapids - Orlando, Florida

If there is one team the casual MLS fan might recognize, it is Orlando City SC. Their grassroots bid to become the 20th MLS franchise failed so they will be looking to take down one or two this year during this tournament. They are a team loaded with MLS level players. This one will be good if City can keep their composure.

Real Salt Lake v Atlanta Silverbacks - Sandy, Utah

Fox Soccer studio host and legendary US Men’s National Team player, Eric Wynalda is also the part-time coach of the Silverbacks. For those that remember back to last year, Wynalda took a ammateur side called Cal FC past the Portland Timbers in US Open play.

Charleston Battery v San Jose Earthquakes - Charleston, South Carolina

This game will be streamed on USL Pro’s UNATION service. Watch this game for the beauty of Blackbaud Stadium. In my opinion? Charleston is the team I would have liked most to be the 20th club in MLS. Was able to watch the Battery take on Dayton a few weeks ago... I fully expect Irishman, Colin Falvey and company to give the ‘Quakes fits.

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May 29, 2013
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Columbus Crew v Dayton Dutch Lions - Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is going to come out with everything they’ve got this year. Should be a great one. Go watch this game already.

Charlotte Eagles v Chicago Fire - Rock Hill, South Carolina

Charlotte has a name that Crew fans will remember in Shaun Francis. Shaun has been playing well for the Eagles. Keep an eye on this result. Chicago will be pressing but might find a side that will not be easy to take down.

New York Red Bulls v Reading United - Harrison, New Jersey

Carolina Railhawks v Los Angeles Galaxy - Cary, North Carolina

LA lost this fixture last year to this same inspired Railhawks side at WakeMed. Look for former Crew starter Mr. Julius James playing in the back line. Also, Robbie Rogers will likely feature in this match. So, give it a watch if you are in the Raleigh-Durham area. No excuses. Know who might be there watching right beside you? Will Hesmer.

Houston Dynamo v FC Tucson - Houston, Texas

Tampa Bay Rowdies v Seattle Sounders FC - Saint Petersburg, Florida

This one should be interesting. I don’t expect a Rowdies win but wouldn’t be suprise if there is an upset here. Brutal travel for Seattle. Saw the Rowdies earlier this year. Not impressive but they do have a great player in Englishman, Luke Mulholland.

Portland Timbers v Wilmington Hammerheads - Portland, Oregon

Crew Rd 12: Draw at NYRB

After leading twice, Columbus will feel a bit disappointed not to get all three points out of this messy affair.

1ST HALF
Eddie Gaven came off the first whistle looking like the Eddie Gaven fans are more accustom too. Even after assisting on Dominic Oduro's 2nd minute goal Gaven was going after loose balls, finding space to receive passes, drawing defenders out. His play lifted the Crew as they matched NY, for the most part, in quality of play during the half.

Oduro was injured on the goal he scored and was replaced (curiously) by Aaron Schoenfeld.

In the 31st minute Tim Cahill played a nice longish ball to Thierry Henry who, from the 18 yard box, blooped it over an off his line Andy Gruenebaum.

Some nervy type moments after that goal as Gruenebaum sometimes seems to lose confidence and composure after goals. Fortunately, NY was not able to get any real chances off before the half ended.

2ND HALF
Sensing that the Crew were going to play cautiously, the Red Bulls came out aggressive and impatient. Every pass they made was seemingly one searching for a quick goal. Columbus was up for it though, and held NY to just three total shots from the 45th minute to the 82nd.

In the 74th minute there was some controversy as Justin Meram was pushed in the back after mishitting a chance on goal in the box. The ref called the foul and Federico Higuain finished off the penalty shot putting the Crew up 2:1.

Things changed from there. They NY onslaught was on and it put the Crew against the wall a bit. In all the chaos towards the end the Red Bulls' Jonny Steele found Olave for a tying goal.

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FINAL NOTES / THOUGHTS
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• Injured Oduro's 8th minute sub; Aaron Schoenfeld, was subbed off for Ben Speas in the 62nd minute. Sub for sub isn't something that happens too often. Not clear of Schoenfeld was tired or just not playing well.

• Speas came on and Meram appeared to move up top in a more attacking roll.

• Meram found the right spots and Gaven was finding him well, just he was way off on his shots. He is rusty but given more time he will find the goal.

• Foul in the Box: The problem with the call is that it was after Meram had already flubbed the shot. It was a sloppy play that permeates MLS play. They are not consistently called in this league because of the talent levels in defending.

• NY's decision to start Dax McCarty was a mistake. Good player but results have been poor with him playing. Doesn't fit.

• No updates on Dominic Oduro's injury, didn't look serious. Interestingly, Oduro has left the game immediately after scoring twice this year due to injury.

• I don't mind the line up decisions for this game. It felt more like a Crew team to have players like Eric Gehrig, Kevan George and Justin Meram out there. I don't think results would be much different were it them or the regular starters. It's club style of play and coaching that puts them mid-table.

Predictions: Columbus Crew v. NY Red Bulls

Good Morning,

The Columbus Crew are in Harrison, New Jersey, on the waterfront across the Passaic River from Newark this evening to take on the Red Bulls. Kick Off is at 5 PM EST.

GAME NOTES
-Regular starters Chad Marshall, Glauber, Jairo Arrieta and Agustin Viana out for Crew
-NY is on unbeaten run of 6 games (5 wins)
-NY hasn't lost to Crew in past 5 meetings
-13 pts in last 5 for NY, 6 pts for Crew
-I like Jonny Steele
-NY just beat the Crew in Columbus a couple weeks ago 1:0

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PREDICTIONS
Going to start off with Bet365 this morning. They like NY with better than even odds (4/6) to win. 11/4 Draw and 4/1 Crew victory.

Win Draw Win's stars align this week. Medium Stake on NY 1:0 win and the 'your vote' section is heavy on NY as well (55%). Crew getting 14% of votes to win.

The EXPERTS at MLSSOCCER.com are all NY this week. Nary a win nor draw for the Crew. All six of them going with NY. Looking over yesterday's results, they called all but the RSL / CHI game correctly (as a group). I expect, as the season carries on, for them to have more weeks like this due to the unbalanced schedule.

Same teams playing each other this many times in short time frame makes things predictable.

Got some votes over at Goal.com this morning. 57.9% of the vote going to NYRB, 26.3 to the Crew.

Drew Epperley at WV Hooligan likes NY 2:0. "A healthy Red Bulls defense is a dangerous thing," he says.

Dispatch beat writer Adam Jardy doesn't lean towards Crew. Thinks today would be a signature win, if it did happen.

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MY THOUGHTS
Very rare, but across the board it is: Red Bull New York to win this sucker. I wish there were some insider secret that had me thinking otherwise, but there is not.

Crew will be playing their first game of the year without both normally starting CBs and have to continue forging forward with Tyson Wahl at left back. This will likely pull Danny O'Rourke (who has been injured) back to CB to pair with reserve team captain Eric Gehrig.

New York, on the other hand is on fire. Only thing that might trip them up is them. They've played a lot of games this year already and still have this one plus a US Open Cup match and a league game against Vancouver before their 20+ day rest. I'd say they might start taking a vacation early... maybe. If the Crew are lucky.

NY is better than the Crew. Not just fake better, as in better players. But real better, as in better team.

I don't see how the Crew can pull this one off. To do so, a player would have to have an extraordinary day. Is Higuain due? Maybe Eddie Gaven? Come'on normal distribution of data. Work your magic.

Mini MLS Round Up, Week 12

I usually put my round up posts this year over at Massive Report but it was a busy week over there and way too late for a normal roundup, but still... committed to a round up each week. Here are some interesting updates though.

MLS BEST TEAM XI
Here is the total number of Best XI player’s grouped by team as chosen by MLSsoccer.com employees.

Number of Players on Best XI : Team
11 : Portland Timbers
10 : Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, New York Red Bulls
8 : Seattle Sounders
7 : Montreal Impact, San Jose Earthquakes, Philadelphia Union
6 : Toronto FC, Real Salt Lake, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution
5 : Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy
4 : Chivas USA, Vancouver Whitecaps, Columbus Crew
3 : Chicago Fire
2 : D.C. United

Interesting that Portland is way up there. There are still many who are not sold on Caleb Porter and his style of play but the proof might be in the pudding here. Are MLS employees attracted to quality soccer and don't even realize it? Other call outs are San Jose and Toronto FC. Way too many Best XI selections.

CASTROL INDEX vs. HELLTOWN
Like sands through the hourglass, the Castro Index gains more respect. It’s here. It’s updated regularly. It’s fun. Here is my Crew Castrol Breakdown.

Castrol Rank : Name : Helltown Rank
27 : Dominic Oduro 16
33 : Josh Williams 21
34 : Andy Gruenebaum 51
39 : Chad Marshall 81
65 : Gláuber 48
81 : Ben Speas 177
96 : Federico Higuaín 22

Well. Marshall, Glauber and Ben are not in the current starting eleven but are ranked in the top 100. The number on the right is my own Helltown player rating. What’s up with Higuain Castrol? Castrol also really likes Speas were I have him much lower.

109 : Jairo Arrieta 137
111 : Tyson Wahl 65
152 : Agustin Viana 178
166 : Danny O'Rourke 127
180 : Eddie Gaven 78

Above are players ranked 100-200. I’ve got Tyson and Eddie much higher than Castrol in my Helltown ratings.

After about 200 not too much to get crazy about.

213 : Tony Tchani 216
306 : Matías Sánchez 285
335 : Eric Gehrig 334
338 : Justin Meram 319
353 : Ryan Finley 358
380 : Chad Barson 373
396 : Konrad Warzycha 368
397 : Ethan Finlay 341
398 : Kevan George 371
399 : Aaron Schoenfeld 374

All I’ve got for this week. Busy. I’ll be back on Massive Report next week with a full roundup.

Jay Heaps and the 2nd 3rd

As the season has flown along I'm becoming more and more interested in what the heck is going on with Jay Heaps and his New England Revolution team. I started noticing them early in the year because they holding their own against some really good teams.

Turns out, 11 weeks on, that they have played 10 top half clubs. That's brutal. Crew have only played 3. New England's schedule clears up here during the summer. Should get interesting.

I decided to dig in. Here's that post at Massive Report.

Cosmos Copa NYC

Cosmos Copa from Show Love on Vimeo.

http://cosmoscopa.com/