After giving up three goals in each of their two games entering Saturday's match against the Chicago Fire, the Columbus Crew were looking for an improved effort in their home opener at Crew Stadium. Despite a few shaky moments in the 1-1 draw, Crew head coach Sigi Schmid was largely happy with the effort.
"The number one objective for us was not to give up goals. We were doing that in the first two weeks," said Schmid. "I thought defensively we did pretty well although we broke down on the one goal."
A misplayed back pass by Jacob Thomas began the first half and a miscue in the back by Chad Marshall ended it. However, the Crew survived both scares as Chad Barrett and Chris Rolfe were unable to take advantage.
"Defensively, we had a couple of slip-ups and the first one we didn't pay for. Thank goodness it came off the post right at the end of the first half," said goalkeeper Jon Busch. "On the second one, Rolfe made us pay for it."
On that play, Barrett beat Brandon Moss in the middle third of the field and was able to dribble to the top of the penalty area before drawing a defender. It was too late at that point and he coolly slotted the ball for Rolfe to finish for the opening goal.
Still, Schmid believes that the defensive effort was much improved over the first two weeks.
"Except for the two breakdowns at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half, we were solid," said Schmid. "I thought Marcos Gonzalez had a good game. Frankie [Hejduk] did well. Jacob Thomas did some more defending than he is normally used to. Everybody chipped in defensively."
Schmid added that Rusty Pierce did a good job shutting down Justin Mapp, a player that tormented the Crew in 2005.
"Rusty did very well. Justin Mapp is not an easy character to get a hold of," said Schmid. "We talked about forcing Mapp to his right foot and for the most part got him out there."
While the defense is at least making steps in the right direction, the attack might have taken a step backward in the home opener.
"Offensively, I don't think it was as good as it was, for example, last week in Colorado. We went pretty hard this week so maybe we sacrificed some quickness," said Schmid. "Offensively, we need to get better. Our possession at times is good, but it just breaks down sometimes with simple passes."
Through Danny Szetela, Eddie Gaven, Sebastian Rozental and Kei Kamara, a handful of chances were created. However, it took a penalty kick, on a call that Fire head coach Dave Sarachan didn't think was correct, to get the Crew level.
Rozental was happy to take the penalty, which he successfully converted for this first goal with the Crew.
"Eddie Gaven asked if I wanted to take it and I said, 'Of course,' " said Rozental.
Added Schmid: "Right away when the penalty was called, Sebastian was looking for the ball. The number one thing on penalties is confidence."
Crew veteran and captain Frankie Hejduk thought the Crew did a much better job fighting for each on other the pitch that in the first two games.
"It was definitely a battle. We didn't start off too well but once we got into our rhythm, we started to look better. The guys showed a lot of heart tonight," said Hejduk. "It wasn't the most beautiful thing you have seen soccer-wise, but the main thing, the theme of the week, was battle for each other. We did that a lot better today than in the two previous games."
Despite it not being a beautiful display of soccer, the Crew was inspired by the strong fan turnout and energy at the match.
"I thought the crowd was great. I came from a place like Los Angeles where sometimes if your performance isn't up par in their eyes. Today, I left feeling much more like I was coaching a team from England. The crowd is behind you," said Schmid. "If you are struggling on the field, they are going to bring you into your game through their noise and cheering. They have got to be our 12th man and help build our fortress."
Added Busch: "It (the crowd) was great. I missed most of last year and it really gets you pumped up. It is really nice to hear them. Unfortunately, we couldn't give them the three points, but we gave them a pretty good show. It is baby steps right now. At least we got a point and we can build off that."
Schmid was also glad to add a point to the standings.
"In order to start accumulating points, you have to start one at a time so I guess we started with one today," said Schmid.
JOhn Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
