MLS Playoffs: Columbus Crew vs. Colorado Rapids (Match Night Commentary)

Rapids-logo CCrew

The road to Toronto begins tonight, as the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs get underway out in Colorado with the Rapids hosting the Columbus Crew (9 p.m., ESPN2/ESPN3.com).

Colorado will look to take advantage of playing at home at altitude, as the Crew visit Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Prolific strike duo Conor Casey and Omar Cummings will test the Crew's defense frequently, in the aims of providing a cushion heading into next weekend's second leg.

Columbus will be missing starting goalie Will Hesmer, who is out for the duration of the playoffs after getting injured in the Crew's 3-1 win over Philadelphia during the final weekend of the regular season. Backup goalie Andy Gruenebaum gets the nod -- the 'keeper started every U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League match for the Crew this year -- and will have to anchor the defense.

I will be providing commentary through out tonight's game. If you haven't already be sure to have a read over SBI's preview of tonight's game. As usual, feel free to leave any thoughts and comments after the jump. Enjoy the action:

---------------

PRE-GAME- It appears Robert Warzycha has learned his lesson from last year, when he benched Guillermo Barros Schelotto in last year's playoff first leg. The Argentine starts, likely as a withdrawn forward with Steven Lenhart.

---------------

PRE-GAME- Columbus has a chance to make last year's playoff disappointment a distant memory, and a tie or win at Colorado would be a massive step in that direction.

---------------

PRE-GAME- Share any predictions for tonight's game in the comments section below.

--- ------------

PRE-GAME- Welcome to tonight's commentary. Straight forward lineups from both sides, with Wallace getting the nod at left back for the Rapids, while rookie Shaun Francis gets the nod at the same spot for Columbus.

---------------

Here are tonight's lineups:

COLUMBUS CREW

----------Schelotto------------Lenhart--------------

Rogers-------------Gaven---------------Ekpo

----------------------Carroll----------------------------

Francis--------Iro------------Marshall-----------Hejduk

---------------------Gruenebaum---------------------------

COLORADO RAPIDS-

----------Cummings----------------Casey---------

Thompson------------------------------------Mullan

--------Larentowicz---------Mastroeni-----------

Wallace-------Moor-------Wynne---------Kimura

----------------------Pickens---------------------------



English & European Football Clubs & Leagues News | Video | Commentary

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Hottest Tour de France 2010 Podium Girls

Image
The annual Tour de France is among the most grueling races in all of sports. But every summer, hundreds of cyclists brave the plains, the mountains, the sun and the rain of France (and often the surrounding countries) to complete the 3,500-plus kilometer trek. But why? Fame? Sure, names like Lance Armstrong, Greg LeMond and defending champion Alberto Contador will go down in the annals of cycling history. Money? Certainly, the winners make some dough from winning and from the sponsorship deals that can result. The challenge of it all? No doubt, there are some competitors just looking to see where they rank among the top athletes in the sport. But there's another reason to race. If you win, you get to stand on the podium with some of the world's most beautiful women. Whether they're delivering handshakes, kisses or the radiant yellow jersey , these ladies serve as serious motivation t
Keep reading

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson scores 5 as AZ Alkmaar smash Venlo 6-1

AZ Alkmaar 6 VVV Venlo 1 (Eredivisie, January 29, 2011) Kolbeinn Sightorsson scored a hat-trick within 26 minutes. Ahmed Musa pulled a goal back for VVV before the break. But a further brace from Sigthorsson and another from Johann Gudmundsson completed the rout. All 5 Kolbeinn Sigthorsson goals are on this video .
Keep reading

The 25 Hottest NFL Cheerleaders

Image
No matter what the situation, you can bet that there will be some sexy ladies on the sidelines cheering them on, just as they have been all season. Cheerleaders are a wonderful part of the game, but it's hard to see all of them during brief appearances during games, and it's way too time consuming to check all of them out online. That's why you have me. I personally looked through each cheerleader in the National Football League and picked out the hottest ones. So for your viewing enjoyment, here are the 25 Hottest NFL Cheerleaders. No. 25: Chiefs—Suzie Kansas City has it rough in professional sports. The Royals are the biggest punchline in baseball and the Chiefs have bombed what looks to be a promising season. KC is lo
Keep reading