Photo Credit: Jeff Gossel/ISNSoccer.com The Columbus Crew’s playoff surge of late looks to have ended with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City. After Philadelphia’s win over Toronto, the Crew now sit 4 points off the final playoff spot, having played a game more than the 3 teams above them. Kansas City were the better team throughout the first half and the key to this was the lineup of 5 central midfielders, enabling them to win the midfield battle. The
Photo Credit: Jeff Gossel/ISNSoccer.com Tonight was a start of a new era for Columbus following the sacking of Robert Warzycha as head coach on Monday and the new era started with a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Houston. Though the outcome could have been very different if Will Bruin had found his shooting boots after a poor first half from the Crew. Houston should have been three goals to the good within the first 15 minutes of the game with the Crew
The Crew suffered their third home defeat of the season and at hands of Chicago with the players involved in the trade between the two clubs playing center stage. Dominic Oduro came to Columbus in the trade and he’s been making a big impact so far this season. Tonight he continued in the center forward role despite the return of Jairo Arrieta from international duty and this paid dividends for the Crew. On 6 minutes Oduro robbed Austin Berry of possession and raced
Photo Credit: Kevin Cross/ISNSoccer.com With Jairo Arrieta away on international duty with Costa Rica, Dominic Oduro has been given the opportunity to play a more central role in the attack for Columbus. This is not unfamiliar. In games that Columbus has been chasing, Oduro got pushed through the center, but tonight he got to play a full 90 minutes and he delivered a performance that should worry Arrieta. Throughout his career in MLS, Oduro has maintained a keen eye for goal
Jairo Arrieta’s woes in front of goal continued tonight as another 90 minutes went by without a goal. He now has 1 goal in 11 games this season with his last goal coming nearly 3 months ago on March 9 against Vancouver. He finished last season in tremendous form, ending with a goal every other game, 9 scores in 18 games. Photo Credit: Kevin Cross/ISNSoccer.com Watching him tonight he seems to be doing the same things as last season, sitting on
Conditions in Columbus were perfect for soccer this afternoon with temperatures in the 70’s and a cool breeze blowing. Unfortunately for New York, they were playing as if it was in the 100’s, getting beaten to the second ball and coming late into challenges. Columbus dominated the chances in the first half though they were unable to test Luis Robles with a single shot on goal. Jairo Arrieta came closest for Columbus with a shot from the edge of the area
Photo Credit: Kevin Cross/ISNSoccer.com Columbus will have to be disappointed to start with a draw on their first home game of the season. On a freezing night in Columbus the Crew struggled to raise the temperature with their play on the pitch with Coach Warzycha highlighting the conditions in has postmatch interview. The team still look like they are getting to know each other and are struggling to find their style of play, which is no surprise considering this team features
There was a carnival atmosphere today inside the M&T Bank Stadium as 42,723 people turned up to see Liverpool and Tottenham play out a 0-0 draw. The game was played at a leisurely pace due to the 95 degree heat and players still returning to fitness after their summer break. Liverpool entered today’s game with their third manager in as many years, with the arrival of Brendan Rodgers. Since January 2009 and the infamous “Rafa rant” at Alex Ferguson, Liverpool have
For the second year in succession the Crew were knocked out by lower league opposition in the US Open Cup. In a game that Columbus dominated from start to finish with 18 shots on goal, wasteful finishing cost them dear. A frantic two minute period in the second half lead to all of Dayton 3 shots with 2 of them producing the decisive goals. Columbus dominated the first half, with their best opportunity coming from Chris Birchall. His fiercely struck free kick