E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Columbus Crew came into Saturday night's match with the New York Red Bulls wholly confident they could escape Giants Stadium with at least a point. After all, the visitors had tied four of their six matches coming into the game, including the season opener against New York.
But as sick as Sigi Schmid and company were of settling for sister-kissers, they would have loved to have earned a draw Saturday night. Instead, they were demolished 4-0, their second loss in the last three games.
"It was just a poor performance," said defender Rusty Pierce, who was victimized by right winger Dane Richards on the Bulls' opening goal.
"We have four ties, and I think we all feel we could have gotten some wins there. It starts to build a little bit. But we were definitely motivated for this game."
It showed in the early stages, as Columbus had several decent chances and won five corner kicks in the first 45 minutes. But soon after John Wolyniec tapped in Richards' cross in the 17th minute, the Crew began to press.
New York took full advantage of the extra space after the break, with Clint Mathis and Juan Pablo Angel putting the game out of reach, and rookie Sal Caccavale adding another goal in injury time.
"I didn't think it was a 4-0 game," said Crew coach Sigi Schmid.
"I thought we played all right in the first half. They scored a very good goal but there were periods in the first half that we dominated. The runs have to be better. We have to be more aggressive and willing to take risks in the box. We reacted to things instead of anticipating what was going to happen. We needed to force the action. That's the big change we've got to make."
Columbus clearly was still adjusting to star signing Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the Argentinean midfielder who was playing his third game with the club after a stellar career at Boca Juniors, and recently-acquired forward Alejandro Moreno, making his second appearance since arriving from defending champion Houston Dynamo.
"We didn't find [Schelotto] enough," said veteran defender Ezra Hendrickson.
But Schmid wasn't about to use that as an excuse.
"Schelotto is fitting in fine," he said. "He certainly helps us on set pieces. He serves a good ball and we had a number of good opportunities because of it. We took him out when it was 3-0 because there was no need to keep him in there. The embarrassment was enough."
Even though the mood in the visiting locker room was predictably sour following the rout, Pierce insisted the team remains optimistic about its chances once the newcomers become fully integrated.
"Obviously we're disappointed any time we lose, but I think the mood within the team is fine.
"Alejandro makes all the difference in the world for our team. The day he arrived you could tell immediately that he was something we needed. He has the ability to hold the ball and let our midfielders join the attack. That was missing before he arrived. I think once we all start jelling, it will click very well."
Doug McIntyre is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
