Columbus Crew Vs Chivas USA
Posted Friday, May 14, 2010 by Goal.com
Goats against Crew.
On Form
Chivas USA: Though Chivas USA did find itself in a two-goal deficit versus Houston, it was not because they came out flat. The Goats were riding a three game streak (2-0-1) that saw them play their best soccer of the year and they came out too aggressive to versus Houston. Chivas USA are playing with a confidence that lacked in their earlier defeat to Houston which bodes well for them going back on the road versus a Columbus Crew team that has yet to lose this season.
Columbus: After a slow start to the season, Robbie Rogers showed why he earned a call-up to Bob Bradley’s pre-World Cup camp with a superb performance against New England last Saturday. The winger forced an own goal before grabbing the stoppage time winner and was the Crew’s key to victory last Saturday. Furthermore, Rogers’ performance last Saturday was part of a much more fluid offense than fans have seen in the early season.
Off Target
Chivas USA: The Goats had a couple of old problems resurface in their loss against Houston. First, the Goats are prone to giving away cheap goals when they begin to get too confident in their attack. The Goats are a possession team that utilizes Jonathan Bornstein and Mariano Trujillo in their build up. A bad pass or clearance leads to a breakaway and an opportunity on goal for their opponents. The second issue is a byproduct of the first in that once a possession team falls behind, it begins to take risks that have the potential to increase their deficit, which is what happened versus Houston. Crew are a veteran team that can sit on a lead should the Goats fall behind early.
Columbus: Robert Warzycha has a lot of work to do to sort out his defense, as the back line allowed two goals last week and only escaped by the thinnest of margins despite Columbus having the better of the match. The normally solid Will Hesmer also played a big role in New England’s first goal, letting Zak Boggs’ shot squirm under his body and into the net.
Tactics
Chivas USA: Chivas USA utilized the same formation in consecutive games for the first time versus Houston, indicating that Martin Vasquez is getting more comfortable with his roster. The Goats came out in a 4-4-1-1 with Sacha Kljestan reprising his role as withdrawn striker and Gerson Mayen in for suspended Michael Lahoud.
Columbus:Robert Warzycha has a full complement of players to choose from for the first time this season and will now be spoiled for choice. Nonetheless, expect to see mostly the same lineup that Warzycha has fielded throughout the season, with Danny O’Rourke and Gino Padula battling out for a spot at left back and Eric Brunner partnering Chad Marshall in the center of defense. Warzycha will also be able to call on new signing Leandre Griffit to make an impact off a very deep bench.
Intangibles
Chivas USA: Bornstein and Kljestan, the Chivas USA co-captains, will need make the most of every opportunity on the field to make their case for inclusion on the final squad that the US takes to South Africa for the World Cup. Expect to see inspired performances as they try to make a good impression on Bob Bradley.
Columbus: The numbers don’t lie and the Crew have won all three games this season at home yet have not won an away game. If the team is to make another push at the Supporters’ Shield then they will have to maintain the home form that has seen them rise to second place in the East despite having played two fewer games than the teams around them.
Outcome
Chivas USA: Chivas USA will be pressed to avoid a tailspin after some success in the last month, but Columbus are much too strong to come back from an early deficit. The vets take the young guns to school, Columbus 2-1 Chivas USA.
Columbus: Another home game, another win. 3-1 to the Crew.
Photos
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