Ok, I’m just going to come out and say it; I doubted the Crew. I know that at the start of the season I was saying that the Crew was not rebuilding but reloading but then I started doubting it. I did this because they were not scoring goals, they did not seem to be a cohesive unit, the defense had huge ups and downs, and the players and staff were calling each other out during press conferences. And I know that it is only two wins in a row but I cannot help but think one thing; the Crew is back in form.
Every good team goes through a down time and the Crew had a doozey, but they have come back in a big way. They get their first away win and then they clean the demons out of their closet and beat Colorado at home. Granted Colorado did strike first and the Crew were helped by a stupid play by Connor Casey, but they still had a great win at home. I was starting to waver in my belief in the Crew and they were going to have a rebuilding season and these two wins have helped make a believer out of me, again.
Now that I have revealed to you my doubt in the ability of the Crew let me take a second and gloat about what I have been right about, and feel free to disagree with me.
- The Crew will play better with Robbie Rogers in the Gold Cup, check.
- Andres Mendoza will play better if he gets over himself and plays, check.
- The team, coaching staff and players, will be better if they get over themselves and play, check.
- Better play from the forward position will produce better play from the defense, check.
- Switch to a 4-4-2 formation and there will be better production, check.
- Play Andy Iro because he is a solid player, check.
- Score in the first half and you will most likely win, check.
- Road wins are a must for a strong team, check.
- Give Tommy Heinemann playing time and he will score, check.
- Keep the youth movement going and the Crew will find ways to win, check.
Did I miss anything? If I did feel free to tell me or if you feel that I am wrong feel free to tell me and I will be more than happy to let you know that you are indeed the one who is wrong, @Cevyn30 on twitter. I swear sometimes I feel as if the Crew read what I am saying.
The list above illustrates how the Crew have been able to get back to form, in my opinion, and this was illustrated against Colorado last weekend. Yes Colorado was down to ten men due to Casey’s stupid challenge but the Crew still played within themselves. They were able to capitalize on their chances; they had great play from the midfield, the defense played as a unit and the team played as a team. This is a formula that worked for the Crew in 2008 when they won the championship. Mendoza had two great goals, Eddie Gavin had a great run and shot, and Heinemann had a great goal. What more needs to be said? The goal that the Crew gave up was off a great corner and header; it happens. It is how a team responds that makes them great and I feel that the Crew has something special here.
The Crew now sit in second place in the Eastern Conference only two points behind Philadelphia. If the Crew continue playing like they have in the past two games, look for them to overtake the pole position in the East. I suppose that I should say something about the loss yesterday in the U.S. Open Cup but I am okay with it because it will be more of a distraction than a feather in their cap. Keep the kids fresh. Enjoy the beautiful game win or lose and make today better than yesterday.
Image courtesy of Jamie Sabau / Getty Images
