Collapse in Columbus

I've sat here with my hands on the keyboard not knowing what to write for the last ten minutes. What do you say about loosing to one of the weakest teams in the whole league? I guess it's the same perspective that the Galaxy and even Chivas may have had when they came to Rice-Eccles and lost to us.

It's sad because it's our defense that keeps us in games, but it was a momentary lapses in marking that killed us on the goals. Both goals were scored by Frankie Hejduk, who is a quality player, but he is not a prolific goal scorer, and the RSL defense made him look like superman on Saturday. With the exception of those two mishaps the defense was solid. DJ only had to deal with long range shots for much of the second half. I forgot Edson Buddle was even playing in the game until I was checking the line up sheet late in the second half. That's probably why he was subbed out a few minutes later. But, I'd also like to think that Dunnie and Pope made the Crew striker disappear. They do that very well.

The real issue is that we can't score goals on the road. There is something about getting into the opposing 18 that twitterpates the RSL offense and causes them to do everything but shoot on frame. They're "like jo-jo, the indian circus boy with a pretty new pet!" The best shot of the game, hands down, came from our right back Rusty Pierce. Rusty kept carrying up the line and not a single Crew defender bothered to pick him up. Finally he got within about 20 yards and decided to have a go, something the RSL boys in front of him should have been doing all game. It was a fantastic shot that dipped to bounce off the top of the crossbar. It was close enough to make Jon Busch jump. Nice shot Rusty, keep 'em coming.

We dominated much of the midfield play and possession. For a most of the second half we kept Columbus in their defensive third. The problem is that the Crew have Chad Marshall. In case you weren't aware the kid is 6'3", 190. For some reason RSL wasn't aware. For much of the second half they felt that crossing into the box would do something for 5'10", 155 Jason Kreis as he had Monster Marshall on his back. Jason is awesome and all, but there isn't much you can do with that kind of a size difference on high balls into the box. Each cross was routinely headed out by the Crew defense. Though when we inserted a larger target in Dante Washington there wasn't much of a change. So, maybe my theory on size difference isn't as accurate.

Well that's my take on it. The Fire come to town this week. Grass is being installed at Rice-Eccles even at this moment. It should be beautiful to see a game played on a proper pitch. Let's hope the local fans show up in numbers to remind the RSL boys that they are our team, and that we have never seen them lose in person!