Crew Face FC Dallas In Pioneer Cup

Today the Columbus Crew takes on F.C. Dallas in Dallas.  The Crew as of late has been in good form, winning on the road and at home.  This has been a hotly contested match up with the Crew notching sixteen wins, fifteen loses, and eight ties.  Though the Crew hold the edge in overall wins, they have only five wins when playing in Dallas.  The Crew’s recent form, I feel, has come from the team playing as one cohesive unit.  Early in the season they were winning from solid defense and an overwhelming attack from the midfield.  During their slump they were disjointed and playing as individuals.  The right boot did not know what the left boot was doing during the slump.  Now they have tallied two solid wins and are playing as if they have nothing to lose.  They are playing loose throughout and their play off the ball is excellent.

Both teams are in good form right now and the Crew will have to dig in and play their game.  The Crew use “The Hardest Working in America” as their tagline and they will have to prove this in Dallas.  The Crew will have to keep doing what they are doing to get a win today.  Last week’s conceded goal came from a corner kick and the Crew will have to have better marking to keep a clean sheet this week.  They need the marking because Dallas is second in the league in scoring off of corner kicks; they have five.  As always, close marking will be paramount in this game.  I think that the biggest turnaround for the Crew this season is the play of the forwards.  They have had better runs off the ball and this play has paid dividends.  They are now scoring in the first half and scoring often.

Bottom line, what does the Crew have to do to win?  They must play within themselves and keep doing what they have been doing; strong defense, swarming midfield, and forwards that finish in the final third.  If the Crew are able to do this they will be able to come out of Dallas with a win.  That is the way I see it.  Enjoy the beautiful game win or lose and make today better than yesterday.

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