The Columbus Crew were certainly a surprise team last season. &nbsp;After cutting ties with a number of veterans and going with a roster that looked lacking on almost every part of the pitch, head coach Robert Warzycha coaxed a great season out of a sometimes&nbsp;combustible&nbsp;team. &nbsp;Robbie Rogers earned his way onto the U.S. men’s national team with superior MLS play while Dilly Duka is now an up-and-coming talent. &nbsp;The team was in the playoff hunt from April on and by playing stout defense combined with timely goal scoring, this was a team that played tough all year. &nbsp;They even treated the fans to a historic MLS moment when Jeff Cunningham broke the record for most MLS goals in a career.
Going into this offseason, this again looks like a rebuilding effort. &nbsp;But can the team meet or exceed the levels they achieved last season? &nbsp;Let’s continue the “three questions” series with the Columbus Crew:
(Two notes. &nbsp;First, we continue the series via the 2012 Superdraft selection order. &nbsp;Columbus, despite a better record than New York, drafts tenth, followed by FC Dallas then Toronto. &nbsp;The Reds have New York’s pick from the Dwayne De Rosario trade, but we’ll do the Red Bulls Three Questions after Dallas. &nbsp;Second, the series will take a short break tomorrow and Sunday with a “12 Predictions for 2012” post. &nbsp;We’ll pick up with Dallas on Monday.)
1. What (or with whom) is the deal with Rogers and Ekpo?
In baseball, going one for three is a good day. &nbsp;In MLS contract negotiations, it is a miserable failure. &nbsp;The Crew offered a long-term deal to team leader Chad Marshall and <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2011-12-19/crew-extend-chad-marshall-one-of-mls-best-defenders" target="_blank">he signed on the 19th</a>. &nbsp;This was a critical move to lock up one of MLS’s best defenders and one of the team’s two best players. &nbsp;However, their contract offers to Emmanuel Ekpo and Robbie Rogers have yet to be accepted. &nbsp;As of now, Rogers has been <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2011-12-20/american-robbie-rogers-hasnt-signed-with-leeds-still-free" target="_blank">linked with English Championship side Leeds United</a> but has not signed a deal. &nbsp;Ekpo was left on the Crew’s unprotected list in the expansion draft and has allegedly been working on a loan deal to a European club.
Both of these players are critical components to this team, Rogers even more so than Ekpo. &nbsp;Depending on how their fates come down will dictate how this team’s offseason goes. &nbsp;Losing Ekpo but not Rogers would be a minor victory, but losing both could be devastating.
2. Clumbus
As in no “o”. &nbsp;The Crew lost Andres Mendoza to the Mexican league and Jeff Cunningham was let go. &nbsp;Mendoza was a locker room problem (see his hogging of penalty kicks) and the game has passed Cunningham by (his form was painful at times last season) but they both at least provided credible goal threats, Mendoza especially. &nbsp;Combined with the possible departures of Rogers and Ekpo, this team has a gaping hole at the top. &nbsp;Emilio Renteria returns but the only other forwards under contract with this team are either unproven no names (Meram, Horton) or depth players (Heinemann). &nbsp;The Crew have to invest in replacements up top or risk having to over-rely on their defense. &nbsp;Which leads me to…..
3. Is there a plan in the front office?
For the second winter, the Crew are in rebuilding mode, and <a href="http://crew.globalfootballtoday.com/2011_12_01_archive.html" target="_blank">the fans are unhappy</a>. &nbsp;After their impressive run in 2008 and 2009, there was no doubt this team could not be kept together. &nbsp;But looking at this squad, what’s the plan? &nbsp;Last season Warzycha was firmly on the hot seat but earned his way off. &nbsp;Is he the Crew’s coach no matter what? &nbsp;What if they get off to a slow start? &nbsp;Also, the team has not publicly given a strategy for building in 2012. &nbsp;They added depth on defense by <a href="http://www.nj.com/redbulls/index.ssf/2011/12/columbus_crew_pick_red_bulls_carlos_mendes_in_draft.html" target="_blank">acquiring Carlos Mendes</a> but they look totally unprepared to lose their big-named players. &nbsp;They need to give some indications as to whether they are rebuilding, retooling, or some other strategy.

Are the Crew Contenders or Pretenders in '12? Three Questions for Columbus

Are the Crew Contenders or Pretenders in '12? Three Questions for Columbus - World Soccer Talk

<div style="width: 250px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a title="Columbus Crew Fans by GregHickman, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/greghickman/4942367281/"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4942367281_d622fa06d9_m.jpg" alt="Columbus Crew Fans" width="240" height="180"></figure></div></a>Photo by Greg Hickman</div>
On March 19, the Columbus Crew dejectedly walked out of RFK Stadium in Washington on the wrong side of a 3-1 game. &nbsp;The team allowed two Charlie Davies goals (one a penalty kick) and looked outclassed, out played, and in for a long season. &nbsp;The result came after they were shown the door from the CONCACAF Champions League by losing 4-1 to Real Salt Lake. &nbsp;After an offseason where the team jettisoned many of its bigger named players to make room in the salary cap and committed to a rebuilding effort, the team looked destined for a long, long season.
A month later, Columbus sits in a playoff spot. &nbsp;The team has not allowed a goal since the second Davies’ goal and this weekend held the highest-scoring team in MLS to no goals. &nbsp;While not an offensive juggernaut, the team is scoring enough to get results. &nbsp;So are the Crew back to their normal spot near the top of the Eastern Conference for good, or is this an illusion that will wilt away in the summer months? &nbsp;The answer is, of course, not that simple.

At first glance the schedule up to this point for the Crew has been daunting, but upon closer examination looks to have been quite easy. &nbsp;After the trip to DC, the Crew hosted the Red Bulls and Dallas, two 2010 playoff teams and teams expected to compete for an MLS Cup this season. &nbsp;But the Crew played New York during an international break and essentially forced a draw with a “B” team, while Dallas has struggled mightily this season and is still sorting out personnel issues. &nbsp;The trip to Chivas led to a scoreless draw, not surprising how bad Chivas is, and while Sporting Kansas City is promising, they have a horrendous defense to go with a great offense. &nbsp;So the schedule has not been a good guidepost to the season so far, except to say the Crew don’t lose to bad teams.
One constant this season has been the defense, which should not be a surprise considering that was one area the team didn’t unload their star power. &nbsp;MLS star Chad Marshall was retained and paired with a number of new players who have excelled to this point. &nbsp;Julius James was picked up off the smoldering heap that was DC United’s 2010 backline and has seen a career resurgence. &nbsp;Rookie Rich Balchan has started all five games and played extremely well. &nbsp;In net, Will Hesmer has played very well after some uncertainty this offseason as to who would be the starter due to injuries. &nbsp;The team has not allowed a goal in four matches, a team record and an incredibly accomplishment. &nbsp;In their last match, Dilly Duka had as many shots on goal (2) as all of the Kansas City players combined.
Another reason for their positive play has been Robbie Rogers, their one consistent offensive threat. &nbsp;The rift that existed between Rogers and head coach Robert Warzycha has seemingly been resolved; the Crew team on the pitch in DC looked lost and without a real offensive threat until Rogers stepped on the pitch. &nbsp;So far this year Rogers has scored as many goals (2) as he has the past two seasons.
The upcoming schedule also should be a reason for optimism among Columbus fans. &nbsp;This weekend, they visit a Toronto team in flux then host the expansion Whitecaps and struggling Sounders (although the Sounders may be finally turning their season around). &nbsp;Things get tough with back-to-back trips to San Jose and Portland, but they end May by hosting Chivas. &nbsp;Conceivably, the Crew should pick up at least 12 points through the end of May.
But the reason why Rogers has been so good for the Columbus offense is that the play of the Crew forwards and midfield have been terrible. &nbsp;Consider that Portland scored as many goals in its home opener as the Crew have scored this season, and that two of those goals came from penalties. &nbsp;Eddie Gaven has been ok but not really good up front, and while it is still early Andres Mendoza has been a disappointment. &nbsp;Jeff Cunningham looks his age and fails to convert quality chances.
So can the Crew continue this run and qualify for the playoffs? &nbsp;In an Eastern Conference with few clear favorites, it is not out of the realm of possibility for them to grab a top three spot if their defense continues to play well. &nbsp;But for this team to challenge New York for first or even challenge a resurgent Philadelphia or DC, they need to find more consistent offense. &nbsp;Without a goal scorer either emerging or being acquired this summer, Columbus could be on the outside looking in this September.

How Legit are the Columbus Crew?

How Legit are the Columbus Crew? - World Soccer Talk

<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a title="Flying V by Mafue, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mafue/5541928196/"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5541928196_e56c0e70a5.jpg" alt="Flying V" width="500" height="375"></figure></div></a>Photo by Mafue</div>
MLS could not have asked for a better opening weekend of soccer than this weekend. &nbsp;After a somewhat pedestrian first match between the Galaxy and Sounders, there were a ton of story lines to follow in this weekend’s games. &nbsp;While it may be a lot to ask for every weekend to be this exciting (although we can hope) there is no doubt that this season is looking like a great one.
Just like Don Garber planned it.
Vancouver 4, Toronto 2
What a tale of two cities. &nbsp;Expansion Vancouver certainly kicked off their first first-division season in style. &nbsp;The fans were decked out in white as part of the “White Out”, celebrity fan Steve Nash sat among the masses and led the cheering, and the action on the pitch could not have been better for the home team. &nbsp;Eric Hassli started the scoring in the 15th minute and, after Dwayne De Rosario equalized, it was all Whitecaps. &nbsp;The Toronto defense was exposed and the Reds looked pretty bad; it may be worst case scenario for them at least in the near future.
For more weekend reviews…..
Colorado 3, Portland 1
I was intrigued by this match because I wanted to see how Colorado looked in their first match that counted after their MLS Cup win, as well as see how our other newest club looked. &nbsp;Kenny Cooper contributed a goal (and points for my MLS fantasy team) but otherwise it was all Colorado. &nbsp;The Cummings/Casey duo again looked dangerous in front of the goal, a must for the Rapids, and it was last year’s key pickup Jeff Larentowicz who got the scoring started for Colorado. &nbsp;A tough first match for Portland, but their next three matches are very winnable: at Toronto, at New England, versus Chicago.
Dallas 1, Chicago 1
If you stepped away to the fridge for a beer, you missed the scoring in this one. &nbsp;Milton Rodriguez for Dallas and Diego Chaves for Chicago scored within two minutes of each other, and defense carried the game. &nbsp;Hats off to Dallas for selling out their stadium, after receiving so much criticism for their poor draws last year. &nbsp;Let’s hope that they are building a tradition of being a tough ticket to get. &nbsp;Kevin Hartman picked up where he left off last season, facing 12 shots (5 on goal) and conceding one goal.
D.C. United 3, Columbus 1
I did a story for the site on this match, but I want to make a few follow-up points. &nbsp;Can any Crew fan fill me in on Robbie Rogers absence for most of the match? &nbsp;He had a&nbsp;discernible&nbsp;and positive impact when he was subbed on in the 65th minute, and he may have made a difference playing the full 90. &nbsp;Charlie Davies is getting the attention from this one, but the DC backline (which was horrendous last year) played very well in this match. &nbsp;But with Perry Kitchen called up to the U-20s and Jed Zayner picking up an injury, their depth may be tested (<a href="http://www.blackandredunited.com/2011/3/21/2063523/dc-united-roster-depth-defense" target="_blank">find more&nbsp;information&nbsp;here</a>).
New York 1, Seattle 0
Daniel did <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/new-york-1-0-seattle-sounders-agudelo-scores/12049" target="_blank">an excellent job covering this match for MLS Talk, so I will refer you to his analysis</a>. &nbsp;But allow me to continue heaping praise on Juan Agudelo. &nbsp;The guy will be something special if he is allowed to grow properly both in a playing sense and media sense. &nbsp;I also hope the European clubs dismiss him as an overrated American so he plays in MLS for a while longer. &nbsp;I’d like to hear from Sounders’ fans – what can your team do to generate some goals? &nbsp;Goalless now in two matches.
Real Salt Lake 1, San Jose 0
RSL is a very efficient team. &nbsp;They manage only two shots on goal and that’s all they need for Kyle Beckerman to find the winner. &nbsp;It was a good win in bad weather and there was nothing in this match that doesn’t make you think RSL may be the best team already. &nbsp;For San Jose, they are in a tough spot like we expected. &nbsp;They need to win home games against the favorites in the West to be considered playoff contenders; this match will do nothing to make anyone think that they are one of the better Western Conference teams.
Sporting KC 3, Chivas 2
Newcomers shined for Kansas City in this quality away win. &nbsp;James Madison University rookie C.J. Sapong scored the first goal in the second minute and newcomer Omar Bravo added two more in this match. &nbsp;Both teams should be very concerned about their defense, however. &nbsp;Sporting KC allowed two goals on only four shots on goal, while Chivas obviously had some defensive lapses. &nbsp;Does this match assert the Eastern Conference’s dominance over the Western Conference? &nbsp;Probably not, but it is a good win for a potential playoff contender.
Philadelphia 1, Houston 0
Another match where if you turned your head you missed the goal, as Danny Califf scores off a long throw-in. &nbsp;Kudos to Houston for another good crowd of almost 20,000 to begin the season, but a disappointing offensive output. &nbsp;They needed some points from this match, as their next two (at Sounders, at Red Bulls) could see them trailing early in the season, never a good place to be. &nbsp;The Union also needed this one, as five of their next six matches are against 2010 playoff teams and the sixth is against Vancouver.
Los Angeles 1, New England 1
Paging Mr. Angel, please pick up the white courtesy phone. &nbsp;The Galaxy need him healthy or need other players in their midfield to step up if they want to create more scoring chances. &nbsp;Again it was Juninho who salvaged the point for LA, and the good news for their supporters is that they have taken the early lead in the Supporters Shield race. &nbsp;It is good that New England salvaged a point from this match, but they showed some concerning tendencies in the match. &nbsp;Joseph’s third minute goal was their only shot on goal. &nbsp;Their home opener is DC United, so that will be a good test of where they stand.

MLS First Kick '11 is as Good as Advertised

MLS First Kick '11 is as Good as Advertised - World Soccer Talk

Last night was the unofficial start to the MLS season, as Real Salt Lake and Columbus faced off in their first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal. &nbsp;In a night that was below freezing and in front of a sparse crowd, the two teams grinded out a 0-0 draw that was defined by the referee as well as missed chances by Columbus.
The first half set the tone for the entire evening, as Columbus came out attacking and hiad their first chance in the first minute as the Crew attacked down the left side with Renteria crossing a pass into to Mendoza who couldn’t corral it for a shot. &nbsp;That sentence basically summarized the first half as Columbus controlled possession and attempted to create scoring chances, with most of them being thwarted by Real Salt Lake or being poorly executed. &nbsp;Columbus consistently attacked down the left, which is something they must have seen in film sessions as a possible weakness. &nbsp;RSL had two decent chances in the first ten minutes, but were content to sit back and play defense against a Crew team that is looking to replace some of their big name players this season. &nbsp;The only other thing to note from the first half was Tony Beltran’s hard tackle on Emmanuel Ekpo in the 43 minute, which resulted in the game’s first yellow card.
The first goal in the second half, I thought, would be monumental for momentum, for it would come as a result of Columbus domination of play or a back-breaking counter from RSL. &nbsp;Of course all this&nbsp;statistical&nbsp;analysis went out the window in the second half as referee Jair Marrufo decided to make his own impact on the match.

In the 52nd minute Tony Beltran was again carded for a rough tackle (this time on Fabian Espindola) and was sent off. &nbsp;The tackle, while hard, might have deserved a first yellow card but was not severe enough to warrant a game-changing second yellow card. &nbsp;By sending him off, Marrufo completely turned the match around. &nbsp;Now RSL would be trying to hang on to a scoreless draw for forty minutes, which undoubtedly led to a slower match.
The red cards were flashed again in the 70th minute when Emilio Renteria went down to the ground holding his head. &nbsp;At this point the CONCACAF television feed did a poor job of showing the post-whistle action, so for a few minutes the Fox Soccer crew and audience were left wondering what was going on. &nbsp;But once Nat Borchers and Emilio Renteria started walking to the tunnel, it became very clear: Marrufo had sent both players off with straight reds, and the game was reduced to a 10 on 9 contest. &nbsp;The commentators noted this could result in more wide-open and free-flowing play, but the exact opposite was the result: the game slowed to a halt as RSL understandably tried to run out the clock and escape without giving up a goal.
You’ll notice the second half analysis has very little talk of actual soccer, and that was because most of the half was similar to the first: RSL’s defense slowing down and stopping Columbus from having many good scoring chances. &nbsp;The Crew only finished with two shots on goal. &nbsp;Their&nbsp;best chance came late in the match when a Robbie Rogers free kick just missed the head of a wide-open Jeff Cunningham in front of the net, who would have easily scored the game’s only goal if he could have corralled the kick. &nbsp;Instead, we were destined for 0-0.
Now the quarterfinals shift to Real Salt Lake, and RSL has to be feeling confident about their chances to advance. &nbsp;Playing at home where a win of any score helps them advance gives them a leg-up, but their inability to score an away goal takes away that safety net they would have if Columbus can grab a goal at Rio Tinto; remember, the away goal rule is in effect. &nbsp;In terms of what this match told us about this team, it didn’t reveal much that we didn’t know. &nbsp;The RSL back line looks very good, and Rimando made saves when he had to. &nbsp;Espindola and Saborio had a limited role in attacking, but we should see more of them on Tuesday. &nbsp;A definite key to the return leg is how RSL can adjust without Borchers and Beltran, who are now both on red card suspension.
As for Columbus, Crew faithful have to be both heartened and disappointed by yesterday’s match. &nbsp;For a club that some thought were a lock to be in the bottom of the Eastern Conference, they hung with maybe the best team in MLS and looked like a pretty talented team. &nbsp;That being said, they couldn’t score and created very few quality chances at home, and are now firmly underdogs in the next leg of the Champions League quarterfinal. &nbsp;Plus they will be without Emilio Renteria, who before he was sent off looked to be the Man of the Match for Columbus.
What did you think about last night’s match?

Red Cards Upset Goals in CONCACAF First Leg

Red Cards Upset Goals in CONCACAF First Leg - World Soccer Talk

<div style="width: 408px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://rsltothecore.com/rslblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ussf-logo-3.jpg" alt="USMNT Head Coach Bob Bradley annouces roster for January Camp" width="398" height="467"></figure></div>USMNT Head Coach Bob Bradley annouces roster for January Camp</div>
A pair of Scandinavian stand outs as well as few MLS emerging stars headline Bob Bradley’s 30 man roster for the annual January training camp.&nbsp; Rising MLS stars, Omar Gonzalez, Chris Pontius and Kevin Alston will have the opportunity to show their skills to Coach Bradley ahead of the opening of camp on January 4th. The camp leads up to the first match of a vital year for the US Men’s National Team, against Honduras on January 23rd.
The January camp typically includes the best players from MLS as well as the Scandinavian leagues which are on winter break. Although typically made up of players from MLS and Scandinavia, the January camp allows the brightest stars of the past MLS camp, a chance to show their worth with the national team. This year, such stands outs include MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Zach Thornton, MLS Champions Nick Rimando, Robbie Findley and Kyle Beckerman as well as MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham among others. In addition to their MLS compatriots, several Scandinavian players join the mix including, Marcus Tracy and Alejandro Bedoya who have earned a place on Bradley’s radar with strong seasons in their respective leagues.
Here’s the complete roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Kevin Hartman (Kansas City), Troy Perkins (Valerenga), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)
DEFENDERS: Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC), Brandon McDonald (San Jose Earthquakes)
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Jeff Larentowicz (New England Revolution), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS: Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake),&nbsp; Marcus Tracy (Aalborg)
What are your thoughts on this roster? Who do you feel should have been included? Who should have been excluded?
Testify in the comments below.

Bradley announces United States' January Camp Roster

Bradley announces United States' January Camp Roster - World Soccer Talk

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Bradley announces United States' January Camp Roster