Columbus Crew head coach Sigi Schmid knew building his team this season would be difficult, his first year in charge.
In transforming the club that finished in the Eastern Conference cellar just one year after hoisting the MLS Supporters' Shield, Schmid opted for youth. The results have been mixed at best, but that doesn't mean he is willing to accept the way the season has gone to this point.
"We can't keep blaming it on our youth. We have injuries. It is a reality. It is fact that we are very young," said Schmid. "On the same token, we have to find a way to get it done."
The young players have shown inconsistency and had trouble fulfilling their promise because the Crew are relying on too many of them to be on the field at a time.
"It is a lot harder when you have three or four young guys in there at a time," said Schmid. "There is no one to grab them by the nose and lead them to the places they need to go."
The Black and Gold have not been able to get it done for those reasons, but also because of a lack of effort at times. That's the problem that really is frustrating the Crew boss.
"Why does it take a goal? Why does it take a red card and people beating us up before we find the energy to play?," said Schmid after Saturday's 1-0 loss to D.C. United. "I am embarrassed for the city of Columbus. That is not the kind of team that I want to put on the field.
"It is tough for our defenders to handle teams that spring off the ball because we don't sprint off the ball in practice."
With the transfer window opening soon, many Crew players might have been essentially interviewing for their jobs in Schmid's team during the last few weeks. The Crew will be looking to add a goalkeeper and a striker to the roster.
Columbus has four netminders on the injured list, including Jon Busch and Jonny Walker, both of whom are out for the season. Schmid has been critical of current starter Noah Palmer at times, and neither Andy Gruenebaum nor Bill Gaudette might be the answer. Gruenebaum has played five minutes in an MLS match. Gaudette started five games in 2005 after Busch was injured, but the Crew traded for Walker.
"We are looking for a goalkeeper," said Schmid. "We didn't have the money to sign Shaka Hislop. Obviously, Dallas has the money."
Even more importantly, the Crew must find a goal poacher to pull the squad through their offensive struggles. So far, many Crew attackers have failed in their chances to take hold of the position.
"(Kei) Kamara had opportunities. Jason Garey has been in and out of the lineup through injuries. Joseph Ngwenya has had opportunities up front. Eddie Gaven has played some up front. Jacob Thomas is now starting to get the opportunities and is the one who deserves some more. Knox (Cameron) has had opportunities in games," said Schmid.
"People have had enough opportunities. No one has done it. The opportunities are being presented to them and right now they are not good enough to take them. We have to try to find somebody."
John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
