Xtratime Community banner

Columbus Crew

8K views 144 replies 24 participants last post by  EPJr 
#1 ·
Columbus take on the LA Galaxy to Start their 2005 campaign. Columbus who I have picked to finish dead last in the MLS will have the advantage over the team I predict to finish 2nd to last thanks to the Sampson effect.
 
#2 ·
I think Colombus will be good. Cunningham and his selfish play is gone. Rookie Marcus is a decent winger and will help them and they have sum nice young talents: Szetela , Buddle , Marshall , Marcus , Martino!
 
#3 ·
Jonny Knoxville said:
I think Colombus will be good. Cunningham and his selfish play is gone. Rookie Marcus is a decent winger and will help them and they have sum nice young talents: Szetela , Buddle , Marshall , Marcus , Martino!
Well lets not forget that we will have the Gold cup comming in this MLS season and I expect Cunningham, Szetela, and Buddle to miss time with the US NATS, They also have a busy friendly schedule as well as WC qualifiers. A lot of teams will have problems this year with consistancy.
 
#5 ·
Crew open at home vs. Galaxy, Donovan




MLSnet.com Staff

•Download the Game Guide >

COLUMBUS CREW STADIUM
COLUMBUS, Ohio
7:30 pm ET (HDNet; FSC, FSN)

Two teams who begin the campaign wondering if this could be the year once again open the season, just as they did two seasons ago. The Columbus Crew won the MLS Supporters' Shield with the league's best record for the first time in club history last year - and yet were unceremoniously dumped out in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Los Angeles Galaxy are hoping with a full year under his belt, Steve Sampson can take that club back to the MLS Cup Final - where they haven't been in two years, after winning a first title in four trips to the title game.

REFEREE: Mark Geiger. SAR (bench): Rob Fereday; JAR (opposite): Richard Eddy; 4th: Terry Vaughn MLS Career: 3 games; FC/gm: 32.0; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 0; pens: 3
Games involving Crew: P2 W2 L0 T0; FC/gm: 28.0; Y/gm: 4.5; R: 0; pens: 1
Games involving Galaxy: P1 W0 L1 T0; FC/gm: 27.0; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 0; pens: 1
INJURY REPORT: COLUMBUS CREW - OUT: DF Stephen Herdsman (groin strain); MF Duncan Oughton (R knee); DF Chris Wingert (groin/abdomen strain); PROBABLE: FW Ante Razov (L thigh strain); MF Frankie Hejduk (R ankle sprain); FW Edson Buddle (L ankle sprain) ... LOS ANGELES GALAXY - .QUESTIONABLE: FW Alan Gordon (R hip strain); PROBABLE: MF Cobi Jones (R Achilles strain); FW Joseph Ngwenya (R groin strain)
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none
SUSPENDED: none

HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (22 meetings): Crew 10 wins (3 shootout), 31 goals ... Galaxy 8 wins, 29 goals ... 4 draws IN COLUMBUS: (9 meetings): Crew 5 wins (1 shootout), 17 goals ... Galaxy 1 wins (0 shootout), 12 goals ... 3 draws


The two teams once again open the season against each other, in the first of their two meetings this season. They meet for the only time in Ohio on May 25.
A year ago, each team won once in their three encounters, the third meeting a draw. The Galaxy claimed a 2-0 victory on April 24 at The Home Depot Center as Carlos Ruiz hit for both goals (58, 82), then the teams played to a scoreless draw on Aug. 14 on Victoria Street in Sigi Schmid's last match in charge.
The Crew claimed a 3-1 victory in the only match at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, as Ross Paule hit for his first career hat trick (26, 43, 68 pen) with Joseph Ngwenya hitting for the Galaxy (47+).
Before the Crew's victory in the final meeting a year ago, they hadn't won in five meetings. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in Columbus on First Kick 2003 before three consecutive Galaxy victories, then another draw.
The visiting team last won in the series four years ago, when Columbus won 2-0 at the Rose Bowl in the final of the two 2001 meetings (July 4). That's the only away victory in the series over the last four seasons.
The Galaxy haven't won in Columbus since the 1998 season, and have never won in Crew Stadium. Over the six matches played in Columbus in that stretch, the teams have played to draws in three (with a fourth decided by a post-match shootout).
Coaches record: Greg Andrulis vs. LA: P10 W3 L4 D3 ... Steve Sampson v CLB: P1 W0 L1 T0

COLUMBUS CREW
Despite all the success of a season ago, there is a bit of a feeling of unfinished business surrounding the Crew from a year ago. An MLS-record 18-game unbeaten streak, the Eastern Conference regular season and Supporters' Shield sent the club into the playoffs on a high - then ending with a resounding thud. But the nucleus of the squad that achieved that success a year ago all return, with the addition of Ante Razov to bolster the strike spearhead.


The Crew completed their preseason schedule with a 3-0 loss to D.C. United in the final match of the Carolina Challenge Cup, as Mike Petke, Christian Gomez and Jaime Moreno hit home for United. In the tournament, Columbus drew 1-1 with San Jose while defeating the USL First Division Charleston Battery.
Here's the team Crew coach Greg Andrulis ran out: Bill Gaudette, Robin Fraser, Taylor Graham (Manny Lagos 62), Domenic Mediate, Ryan Kelley, Simon Elliott, Ross Paule (Eric Vazquez 76), Kyle Martino, Knox Cameron (Marcus Storey 60), Devin Barclay (Dante Washington 46), David Testo (Ante Razov 67)
"We still have to get four or five starters ready to play," said Kyle Martino. "The guys that have stepped in have filled roles that are big shoes to fill. It's a lot to ask of rookies and new guys. It's a rocky start, but we got guys experience that we are going to need to come in at the end of games, and later on in the season."
Andrulis had real difficulty making a lineup in Charleston, with the number of injuries and national team call-ups in his squad. Goalkeeper Jon Busch and defender Chad Marshall were with the U.S. team in preparation for the World Cup qualifying matches against Mexico and Guatemala, while midfielder Danny Szetela just returned to the team after playing with the U.S. under-20 team in a tournament in South Korea.
In the back, he had some real problems as Robin Fraser has been slowed by offseason knee surgery, Steven Herdsman will not be available until at least May with a groin injury, and Frankie Hejduk hasn't been available for a month with an ankle injury. In addition, Duncan Oughton hasn't been available for full duty after offseason knee surgery of his own.
The first-choice strike force of Ante Razov and Edson Buddle had only played together in one game until pairing again in the first game in Charleston, but Buddle suffered an injury (after Razov has missed much of the preseason) and their availability could be in question.
Still, there has been a positive in all the absences. "In some respects we're way ahead of where we want to be in terms of development of the younger players," Andrulis told The Dispatch.
Martino joined the team in Charleston after a month in camp with the U.S. national team. With the addition of Ante Razov to partner Edson Buddle in attack, he is expected to reprise his midfield role despite a great run last season as a deep-lying forward playing off Buddle. "Kyle's shown he can play a variety of positions well for us," Andrulis told The Columbus Dispatch.
A year ago, the Crew lost at home 3-1 to the MetroStars in the season opener (Hejduk 30 - Magee 40, Wolyniec 52, Guevara 88).
The Crew haven't won in their last six season openers. The last time they took three points to begin a campaign was 1998, a 2-1 victory against Tampa Bay Mutiny. Since, the Crew have lost four opening contests (1999: 0-1 v MetroStars; 2000: 1-5 v Tampa Bay; 2002: 0-2 v Chicago and last year) and drawn two (2001: 1-1 v Chicago, and 2003: 1-1 v Los Angeles).

LOS ANGELES GALAXY
With the full winter to rebuild his club, Galaxy coach Steve Sampson has done just that and takes the field in his first full season in charge with a retooled squad. The biggest change in the offseason came just before the season opener, when Landon Donovan returned to MLS and joined the club while Galaxy goal-man Carlos Ruiz was sent to Dallas.


The final piece of the rebuilding finally came together on Thursday, when Landon Donovan came to MLS after playing for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Germany's Bundesliga for four months. The German club had loaned Donovan to MLS for four seasons before he returned following the 2004 season, playing in nine matches for the club. In four seasons in MLS, Donovan has 32 goals in 87 league games.
"I had a conversation [with the Galaxy] before I left for Germany, and they knew I was leaving, and they didn't know how long it would be, but they made it abundantly clear that they wanted me here," Donovan said. "I came out of that meeting more convinced than I've ever been about almost anything in my life. The situation in Germany definitely didn't go as planned. I need to play soccer, not only for my professional career, but for me personally. It makes me happy. And sitting on the bench anywhere is not fun for me."
On Wednesday, the Galaxy pulled off a stunning deal, sending Carlos Ruiz to FC Dallas for an allocation. Ruiz had scored 50 goals in 72 appearances in his three seasons in MLS, his goal in extra time in the 2002 MLS Cup Final giving the club their first victory in four trips to the championship game.
The trade of Ruiz means that seven regular starters from a year ago are now no longer with the club: defenders Ryan Suarez, Danny Califf and Hong Myung-Bo, midfielders Sasha Victorine and Andreas Herzog, and forward Arturo Torres along with the Guatemalan international.
The Galaxy defeated USL First Division (second tier) Fresno Fuego 3-0 in their final match of the preseason on Saturday, March 26. Peter Vagenas scored a pair goals, in the 16th and from the penalty spot in the 57th minute, before Guillermo Gonzalez completed the scoreline with a 79th-minute strike.
Here's Steve Sampson's team on the night: Josh Saunders, Ben Benditson, Troy Roberts, Tyrone Marshall, Todd Dunivant (Paul Broome 46), Cobi Jones (Herculez Gomez 58), Peter Vagenas, Paulo Nagamura, Josh Gardner (Mamba Chisoni 10), Naldo (Guillermo Gonzalez 73), Ned Grabavoy (Michael Enfield 67)
While it won't yet affect the club, if there is a real concern in the Galaxy additions in the back it's that the entire first-choice back four could be missing at the same time come international dates.
Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and right back Chris Albright have been in the U.S. national team camp in preparation for their recent World Cup qualifiers, while the club's two Costa Rican signings - central defender Michael Umaña and left back Pablo Chinchilla - are also in that country's pool. Center back Tyrone Marshall will also miss time with Jamaica, especially in this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Guillermo Ramirez played the full match in both of Guatemala's World Cup qualifiers last week, scoring on Saturday in a 5-1 home victory against Trinidad & Tobago. He didn't have the same luck in the 2-0 loss to the USA in Birmingham, Ala.
A year ago, the Galaxy defeated the New England Revolution 3-2 on Victoria Street to open the season (Ruiz 30, Herzog 59, Kirovski 69 - Heaps 48, Noonan 68). The Galaxy have lost just twice on Opening Day, coming in 1997 (0-0 SOL v D.C. United) and 2001 (2-3 v San Jose Earthquakes).
 
#10 ·
COLUMBUS -- Powered by a first-half strike by Edson Buddle, the Columbus Crew survived a late surge by D.C. United to claim a 1-0 victory in a match between the Eastern Conference rivals on a splendid spring evening Friday at Columbus Crew Stadium.

Buddle scored his MLS-leading third goal of the season, turning home a free kick in the first half, then Crew goalkeeper Jon Busch made two world-class saves after the break as the Crew won their second match of the season while United lost for the first time this season.

United coach Peter Nowak had four newcomers in his starting lineup -- including Freddy Adu, making his first start of the season, and Santino Quaranta, making his first league start since the 2003 season.

But it was the Crew that started the stronger, getting a couple of good early chances. Simon Elliott hit a well-struck shot off a free kick in the fourth minute, but hit it wide left, then Buddle finished a sequence after a turnover with an excellent turn, but ultimately his attempt was high and wide of the target.

D.C. found their groove in the 17th minute with a pair of superb chances. A shot deflected off the Crew defense directly into the path of Quaranta who hit a charged ball from the top of the penalty box that tested Busch. The Crew 'keeper was up to the challenge, but the rebound went to Brian Carroll, though his shot was wide.

Just after Frankie Hejduk narrowly missed taking advantage of confusion in the United penalty area when he put a loose ball on top of the goal, the Crew won a free kick on the left flank when Carroll was adjudged to have held Kyle Martino in the corner.

Elliott whipped the ball into the six-yard box, and despite being surrounded by several defenders Buddle was able to turn and push the ball past United netminder Troy Perkins for the 26th-minute opener.

United nearly equalized through Adu in the 33rd minute. Adu beat the Crew defense on the sideline and played a perfect cross to Jamil Walker, but unfortunately for the visitors, Walker headed the ball directly into the arms of Busch.

Buddle then nearly hit for his second goal in the 41st minute. Ante Razov found an unmarked Buddle making a run to the far post, but his one-timer sailed just over the goal after Perkins expertly cut off the angle.

After the brutal schedule of the past week, Nowak saved Moreno and fellow striker Alecko Eskandarian and playmaker Christian Gomez for the second half in hopes of providing an equalizer for the visitors. Moreno came on at halftime, while the other attackers would come on later.

United began the second half with newfound attacking energy. Adu made a meandering run through the Crew defense and found Clyde Simms who lofted the shot well over the goal. Then Moreno collected a layoff from Mike Petke and squared it to Bobby Boswell, but he skied the shot over the target.

Following a foul on Adu by Hejduk in the 69th minute near the sideline, which earned both players a spot in Ricardo Salazar's book, Gomez fired a ball into a melee in the box. Razov inadvertently headed the ball on goal and Busch made a superb save to keep the visitors scoreless.

United kept the heat on the Crew in the 74th minute as Carroll played a brilliant ball to Moreno. Moreno went in alone on Busch and tried chipping the 'keeper. Crew defender Robin Fraser tried to escort the ball to safety but Adu came charging in to head the ball home at the far post. Fortunately for the Crew, Adu succeeded only in heading the ball into the side netting.

The Crew raced to the other end and Hejduk found Buddle for an wide-open header, but the Crew striker headed the ball over Perkins net.

D.C. resumed pressing the home side. Defender David Stokes strode into the box and pushed the ball to Moreno, who dropped the ball back to Gomez, but his curling shot narrowly missed the upper corner of the goal.

On the counter the Crew should have doubled the lead in the 90th minute as Razov and Buddle perfectly executed a one-two, but after the exquisite ball work Razov was surely disappointed as he completely missed the ball with only Perkins to beat.

United nearly made the Crew pay for the missed chance as Adu served a delightful cross to Moreno. Moreno met the ball with a diving header only to once again be denied by the outstretched fingers of Busch, the last gasp for the visitors.

D.C. United play host to the New England Revolution next Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, HDNet) while the Columbus Crew travel to Denver to face the Colorado Rapids (9 p.m. ET) on the same night. However, on Wednesday the Crew will play at the Ohio State University in the annual Connor Senn Memorial Match.

MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Jon Busch (Columbus Crew)

John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.

D.C. United (1-1-1) vs. Columbus Crew (2-1-0)
April 15, 2005 -- Columbus Crew Stadium

Scoring Summary:
CLB -- Edson Buddle 1 (Simon Elliott 1) 26

D.C. United -- Troy Perkins, David Stokes, Bobby Boswell, Mike Petke, Joshua Gros, Freddy Adu, Brian Carroll (Christian Gomez 70), Clyde Simms, Steve Guppy (Alecko Eskandarian 60), Santino Quaranta, Jamil Walker (Jaime Moreno 46).

Substitutes Not Used: Ben Olsen, Nick Rimando.

TOTAL SHOTS: 16 (5 tied with 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (6 tied with 1); FOULS: 19 (Joshua Gros 4); OFFSIDES: 3 (Santino Quaranta 2); CORNER KICKS: 2 (Freddy Adu 1, Alecko Eskandarian 1); SAVES: 1 (Troy Perkins 1)

Columbus Crew -- Jon Busch, Ryan Kelly, Robin Fraser, Chad Marshall, Frankie Hejduk, Simon Elliott, Kyle Martino (Manny Lagos 85), Danny Szetela (Chris Wingert 83), David Testo (Domenic Mediate 54), Ante Razov, Edson Buddle.

Substitutes Not Used: Devin Barclay, Knox Cameron, Matt Jordan, Mark Schulte, Marcus Storey, Jamal Sutton.

TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Edson Buddle 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Edson Buddle 1, Ante Razov 1); FOULS: 12 (Danny Szetela 4); OFFSIDES: 1 (Edson Buddle 1); CORNER KICKS: 1 (Ante Razov 1); SAVES: 6 (Jon Busch 6)

Misconduct Summary:
CLB -- Simon Elliott (caution; Professional Foul) 36
DC -- Joshua Gros (caution; Pushing, Holding) 38
CLB -- David Testo (caution; Persistent Infringement) 41
DC -- Steve Guppy (caution; Professional Foul) 57
CLB -- Frankie Hejduk (caution; Game Disrepute) 69
DC -- Freddy Adu (caution; Game Disrepute) 69

Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Referee's Assistants: -Thomas Supple; Adam Wienckowski
4th Official: Hilario Grajeda
Attendance: 12,449
Time of Game: 1:52
Weather: Clear-and-65-degrees
 
#15 ·
The game with the Rapids was very dissappointing. The crew had chances but couldn't convert. Though i did enjoy the dubios dive on of the players took to get that penalty.
 
#17 ·
3-2 win for the Metros over the Crew, I went to the game...Razov scored two goals within 2 minutes and Djorkaeff scored from the spot after Guevara was tripped up in the box. Metros created many good chances but the St.Johns keeper for the Crew was solid, also Wolnyiec came off the bench for the Crew and got a nice hand from some of the fans. I was there with my Croatia NT shirt, maybe that inspired Razov :pp
 
#18 ·
HajdukSplit said:
3-2 win for the Metros over the Crew, I went to the game...Razov scored two goals within 2 minutes and Djorkaeff scored from the spot after Guevara was tripped up in the box. Metros created many good chances but the St.Johns keeper for the Crew was solid, also Wolnyiec came off the bench for the Crew and got a nice hand from some of the fans. I was there with my Croatia NT shirt, maybe that inspired Razov :pp
Yah it was the Shirt.:D

I dont know Razov for Woly mmm Looks like a good trade to me. :thmbup:
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top