Columbus Crew

Team Needs: Columbus Crew

What a difference a week makes.

Last week in this space, I tried to put into a concise column the needs of the Colorado Rapids, a side that continually seems to try to create more problems for itself through puzzling personnel moves and horrible on-field performances.

This week brings about the Columbus Crew, just about the complete opposite to the current Rapids in every possible facet.

The dominant team in 2008, the Crew ploughed through Major League Soccer en route to two trophies (three if you count the contrived Trillium Cup), and a spot in the group stage in the 2009 CONCACAF Champions League.

With extra games to play this year, the Crew will be looking to shore up their depth, while still keeping a high standard capable of defending their titles.

Preview: MLS Cup 2008

So far I've been awesome in these playoff previews.

By 'awesome', I mean as good as Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake in 2005. Or TFC in 2007. In other words, my predictions have been crap.

What better way to follow failure by putting my neck out on the line once more, lending myself to more possible embarrassment? Here goes.

Columbus Crew will win MLS Cup 2008.

The most improved club with the most improved supporters will take their most improved show on the road to Carson, California, where the it will culminate in the "Massive" club claiming its first ever Cup championship.

Playoff Preview: Eastern Conference Final

In what many are calling “the real Cup final”, the Eastern Conference championship sees Supporters Shield winners Columbus Crew hosting the surging Chicago Fire.

To say that this has all the makings of a possible classic match is an understatement. In fact, this is about as good as it gets in MLS; two regional rivals - who both play an exciting, attacking brand of soccer – battling it out for a spot in Los Angeles.

There is no love lost among the respective sides’ fan support, and one can expect that underlying resentment to spill over onto the pitch. Both teams play with a bit of an edge, although Chicago – as led by Cuauhtemoc Blanco and his considerable bag of tricks – can be counted on to have the upper hand on some of the less appreciated aspects of the game.

Get those pints in, Its the Weekend!

Wednesday night we saw (19) UCSB try and break the NCAA attendance record against rivals Cal Poly. They didn’t break the record but a ruckus 10,000 attended the game and ended in a very thrilling nil-nil draw. Tonight I will be watching the great rivalry of Army taking on Navy; hopefully it will be a good one!

Playoff Preview

It’s the time of the year where writers love to write previews and give their predictions for the playoffs. Then at the end of the month, those same writers look like complete fools and lose their credibility, only to spend the whole year to build it back up just to do it again.