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Sorry for the delay in posting everyone, it is graduation week at college and life has been overwhelming. Back to the real stuff now, The Columbus Crew.

Escaping
I believed this game would be tough for the Crew, as I said in my last post that I was hoping for a tie. This Final result of 1-1 played out almost exactly how I envisioned it to, as the Crew was outplayed but did escape.  The Crew was able to ‘escape’ Seattle with a point, but escape is really all that you can call that. The Sounders attacked early and often, and just seemed faster and well, better for most of the first half. Did you see the crowed though? As much as I hate to admit it, but Seattle’s home crowed is just amazing, now if only they could get their own stadium and not have to play on that turf…

Seattle took the lead early on, scoring on a great pass from Freddy Ljungberg to Steve Zakuani. This was just great positioning on behalf of Zakuani and he was completely onside and he beat Hesmer. Most of the first Half was the Crew chasing after the Sounders as there was very little offense to speak off. Of course, due to an amazing cross by Danny O’Rourke to Steven Lenhart, the Crew was able to tie it up in stoppage time at the end of the first half. This was just a phenomenal play and the timing was just great.

The second half featured more chances for both sides, but more notable was Seattle’s goal post hits and near misses. The Crew played a valiant effort for about all of 30 minutes in this game, so a 1-1 Tie on the road…I’ll take it.

Danny O’Rourke picked up two yellow cards and was ejected…again. The Crew needs Danny on the pitch to survive in this league. Columbus has great depth, but he was last year’s team MVP and his flexibility to play any position effectively is key. Seeing Danny pick up multiple Red cards brings back memories of him a few years ago, something no one wants to re-live. On the positive, Steven Lenhart’s Header in the first half marked the first goal by another forward not wearing #7 for the Crew in many games. Now, let’s see if this carries over.
In other news

The Crew played Ohio State University in the Conner Senn Memorial Match earlier this week, winning 4-0, playing with mostly reserve players. While the Crew won the game, the real importance of this game was the money that is raised is used to honor the memory of the late Senn, an Ohio State player who passed away after collapsing in a game in 2001. More than $170,000 has been raised since the start of the fundraiser in 2001.
Forward Jason Garey had a hat trick in the game and Renteria had three assists. The other goal came from Forward Sergio Herrera. Garey, who was known for being a goal scoring machine in college, showcased this against another college team. The more I think about it, the more comfortable with Garey I am. I honestly don’t expect Herrera to be with the black and gold for much longer, unless he really starts stepping up his game.

Up next:
The Crew comes home to the walls of the Nordecke and Crew Stadium to take on the fourth placed Eastern Conference foe, New England Revolution. New England sits only a point behind the Crew, which should make for an interesting showdown on Saturday. I think you have to go with the Crew at home in this one, in a tight game.

Tags: columbus crew, conner senn, danny o'rourke, mls, new england revolution, ohio state soccer, seattle sounders, steven lenhart