Columbus Crew 2011: The Rant

Robert Warzycha was almost without doubt the best wide player the Crew have ever had. He's the all-time assist leader for the club. He came to MLS from the EPL long before David Beckham and the Designated Player rule. His talent as a player is unquestionable, but it isn't translating that well to the role of manager. His particular short-coming seems to be in building a squad. It's not that he hasn't brought in talented players. It's that they don't fit well together and is a train wreck on the pitch.

The Crew have played ten games in MLS this season and have only managed eight goals. That's not horrendous until you get the kicker: four of those goals are from penalties. Four goals from the run of play. That's just pathetic especially in the MLS where, to put it nicely, defense is not the strength. The Crew definitely have players that are capable of producing goal. Cunningham alone is just short of becoming the MLS all-time leading scorer*.

The biggest problem with this team became evident to me in the first leg of the Crew's CONCACAF Champions League match-up against Real Salt Lake. That game was the worst soccer game I've ever watched. It's not that it was a nil-nil draw, because I will defend the value of 0-0 games until I'm blue in the face. There were virtually zero chances created. The Crew had plenty of control of the ball and the better of the play, but it would always breakdown in crucial moment.

There is a breakdown between the midfield and the attackers with the Crew this season. The Crew have had the better of the play frequently this season and a dominant defense as well. The midfield play has been poor, but I don't think that's because the midfielders themselves are bad at the game. These guys played well last year. It's that they are longer be utilized properly.

This year is the first year that The Crew has become Warzycha's team. The past two seasons it's been the roster that was built by Sigi Schmidt before he ditched** the Crew for Seattle. Following the 2010 MLS season Warzcha was able to let many of Sigi's signings go and he did just that. He also brought in a few players, but the cuts definitely outweighed the gains.

The problem with the midfield is the absence of a true center midfielder. Kevin Burns and Dejan Rusmir are central mids, but they are defensive and don't really help in the attack. The four other midfielders who see playing time are all wide players like Warzycha was. There is a myth that Expo can play CM, but he doesn't do it very well at all. His pace would be much better used on the wing and his lack luster passing and ball control would be better hidden. The Crew really need a player in the Center midfield who can control the ball and make plays and players like that were shown the door this winter.

Also, this didn't fit neatly into my argument, but I geniuenly hate the 4-5-1. The switch to the 4-4-2 last weekend was a start.

All that being said, the Roster can't be cured during the season. In theory a trade could happen, but I don't think that's likely. The Crew does have the talent to compete in the MLS, but it's going to require better utilization. I think Renteria can be used to help fill the hole in central midfield by putting him into a CAM or CF role. I think the Crew's roster could be best used in the 4-3-1-2 formation like this(more accurately what I would do):

I don't particularly love Gaven in that role, but I think he's the best option for it. He could be subbed out for Rusmir or Burns if the Crew can get a lead and it would be a more 4-1-2-1-2 look.

Forgive the sloppiness of it and thanks for reading

-Michael

*At this rate he won't get the record though.
**Never forgiven