The Columbus Crew are experiencing the same feelings parents have when their son heads off to college: There's a lot of pride and hope that he will do well but, really, now who's going to cut the grass?
So it is as the Crew bid adieu to young midfielders Robbie Rogers and Emmanuel Ekpo for six weeks as they prepare for the Olympics in China with the USA and Nigeria, respectively.
Not only are they starters -- Rogers on the left wing and Ekpo his opposite -- but contributors to an attack that has found itself after an embarrassing four-game scoreless slump. Since ending a team-record 371-minute drought at Kansas City on June 14, the Crew have scored 13 times in six matches (two by Ekpo) and has been blanked once -- July 12 at Real Salt Lake.
"Any players of those qualities we're going to miss," Crew coach Sigi Schmid said.
One source of help could come from an unlikely candidate. Prior to the season the Crew figured midfielder Eddie Gaven would have a legitimate shot at making the U.S. Olympic team.
However, he was taken out of consideration because an ankle sprain June 10 kept him sidelined until he played the entire second half of the friendly last Sunday vs. West Ham.
"We thought Eddie would be going but unfortunately he was injured," Crew assistant Robert Warzycha said. "Actually, for us it's good because he can play for us."
While Gaven began the season on the right wing, he could start in Rogers' spot Sunday at Colorado and Brad Evans and Cory Elenio are among those being considered on the other side.
"Eddie's fitness is always pretty good. We just didn't want to turn it into a fatigue stage where he could turn something," Schmid said of the West Ham match. "That's why we wanted to keep him at 45 minutes max. We think with another week of training that when we get to Colorado he should be able to get 60 to 70."
Taking over for Rogers won't be easy. Although he had not scored in 10 MLS matches he is second on the club with five goals and creates opportunities for others with his speed and service abilities down the flank.
"Colorado plays a 3-5-2. They had enough respect for Robbie that when we played Colorado (June 28) they played with four (in the back)," Schmid said. "Now, they might say, 'We'll stay with three,' so maybe we'll adjust."
Changes were going to be made anyway because the Crew's recent goal surge resulted in just a 2-1-3 mark thanks to some porous defending that has allowed 11 goals, including a pair of 3-3 ties.
"When you score three goals you've got to win the game," Schmid said. "Offensively we've done things but you can't give up three goals. We've got to make better use of the opportunities we have."
An area of concern is left back. Rookie Ryan Junge and converted midfielder Danny O'Rourke have started while Gino Padula and Ezra Hendrickson recover from injuries. Hendrickson went 64 minutes Sunday and appears ready to return to the full side to give Schmid options.
Hendrickson can play in the middle, where rookie Andy Iro pairs with Chad Marshall, or provide a strong veteran presence on the left.
Despite the recent stumbles, the Crew remain second in the Eastern Conference and on pace to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
"We have nine points in our last six games. If you're averaging a point-and-a-half a game, you're all right. It will get you in the playoffs," Schmid said.
It would be easier if Rogers were around.
"When you look at the body of work that he's done over the 17 games it's been pretty good," Schmid said. "He's still a young player. He's going to go through valleys at times. He might be in a valley right now. He's played an important role so far. He'll play an important role for us when he gets back from the Olympics. Our expectations are that in the playoffs he's going to make some big noise."
Rogers is still getting used to the whole club and country scenario that could force him to miss at least five Crew matches.
"It stinks. I had that last year, too (with the U-20s)," he said. "Sigi understands. He's done as much for me as he can here now and when I get back I'll have 100 percent focus."
Going to the Olympics is a pretty good consolation prize, especially since Rogers was not chosen for the qualifying tournament earlier this year.
"I think it's no secret that Robbie has a great season with the Columbus Crew and the whole team is playing very well," U.S. Olympic coach Peter Nowak said. "In the last couple of months, Robbie started to play the game everybody loved to see him play. He's had a lot of very significant progress in the last six, seven months and this is good to see. He's healthy, he's fit, he's scoring goals and he's helping his team win. If I see Robbie Rogers playing as he is now, I think he fits the picture very well."
Rogers knows the coming weeks will be unlike any he has experienced.
"Last year we had the U-20 World Cup when we played in front of 60-70,000 people in Montreal," he said. "That was pretty amazing but the Olympics -- you're not going to be able to really compare it to anything. As a soccer player it's going to be a great experience going forward. I wanted to make the Olympics and I did that."
It's a goal worth shooting for Crew teammate Frankie Hejduk said.
"It's every American's dream to play in the Olympics," said Hejduk, a member of the U.S. teams in 1996 and 2000 and an alternate this year. "Even in soccer, growing up I really didn't know what the World Cup was. I knew what the Olympics were. It's every parent's dream to get your kid into the Olympics. You're representing yourself, your country, your family."
Hejduk said his first Olympics in Atlanta helped raise his level of play.
"That was one of the tournaments I became on the radar with Leverkusen. That's a tournament a lot of scouts are going to be at, big teams send scouts to watch these guys. If you shine during the tournament it could be a good thing for your future. For him it's going to be an awesome experience," Hejduk said.
There are two things Rogers is looking forward to: Playing against Ekpo's Nigerian side in the last group qualifier Aug. 13 and alongside over-age forward Brian McBride, late of the English Premier League club Fulham.
"He's a Columbus Crew legend and I just got here so it's going to be a great opportunity, especially with me a midfielder and him a forward, to be able to link up to him, hopefully," Rogers said. "He's really going to help our team with his international experience and experience with the national team."
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
