U Weekly. Serving The Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio

Crew struggles in champ role

By Andrew Joseph

The Columbus Crew's motto for the 2009 campaign has been "Champions at Work," a phrase that has puzzled the team as they have taken some time to get into stride as the defending MLS Cup Champs.

The began the season with a fizzle starting the year with a dismal 0-2-4 record in March and April. The team, although keeping many of the key components from the championship squad, struggled with injuries and player commitments to the national team.

Led by Robert Warzycha in his first season as the head coach the team turned the tide during May and June to bring the team to a 4-3-7 record at the midpoint of the season. Although Warzycha is in his first year in charge, he is no stranger to the Black and Gold, having been with the team as both a player and a coach since it's inception in 1996.

Despite not having as impressive of a first half of the season as in 2008 the Crew are still only four points out of the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

One problem that certainly will be addressed during the remainder of the season is the team's inability to close out a game. In the team's most recent match, the Crew gave up two goals in the last 10 minutes of the match to fall 2-1 to FC Dallas.

Another key element that has been missing has been defender and captain Frankie Hejduk who has spent much of the season sidelined with a groin injury. When he has been able to play Hejduk has often been serving with the U.S. national team in World Cup qualifying.

Stepping up nicely in Hejduk's absence has been Columbus native Eric Brunner and Jed Zayner - but, that's primarily on one end of the pitch. While both are quite excellent defensemen, they lack the the offensive spark that the World Cup veteran can bring to the Crew.

As of right now, the team's fortunes ride almost solely on forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto who currently leads the league in goals. The 36-year-old, a legend in his home country Argentina, was awarded the Desisgnated Player slot for the Crew. The Designated Player rule - often called the Beckham Rule - allows a club to pay a player above what would be in the team's salary cap.

Looking forward to the remainder of the season, the Crew will compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on June 30 playing the Rochester Rhinos. The tournament, similar to England's F.A. Cup, is a competition that features teams from the MLS to amateurs. The Rhinos are in the USL1 league, which is the second tier in professional soccer.

Additonally Crew players Eddie Gaven, Chad Marshall and Robbie Rogers have been named for to the initial roster for the CONCACF Gold Cup to be held in July. The Gold Cup is the Bi-annual tournament for national teams from the Americas and the Caribbean.

While the Gold Cup may take players away from the Crew, it does provide playing experience at a high, international level.

Looking forward to MLS play, the Crew will host current conference leader D.C. United on the Fourth of July in a patriotic showdown.
_______

The U.S. Men's national team is currently in South Africa competing in the FIFA Confederations Cup. The tournament which is a good litmus test for teams for next summer's World Cup being held in South Africa.

Team USA narrowly advanced to semifinal play with a 3-0 win against Egypt, combined with a Brazil 3-0 victory over Italy. The advancement to the semis marks the first time the Red, White, and Blue have advanced deep in a major international tournament since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.

The US will face Spain today at 2:30. The Spanish side is currently the top-ranked team in the world, and has not lost in their last 35 matches.

Originally Published: June 24, 2009

↑ Back to the top