MLS CUP FINAL PREVIEW/ So who do you pick? The CREW or RED BULLS?

So it is all on the line today when the MLS CUP FINAL takes place in Carson. California.
So as soccer fans in the United States many of us who are not attached to the teams emotionally will want the product to be shown off in the best way possible. One hopes the atmosphere, play and production all lives up to the moment.

Lets take a look at what may happen on the field by breaking down the two teams briefly.

*GOALKEEPING: Does the kid from Univ. of Penn, DANNY CEPERO continue this amazing goalkeeping run? Positionally he has done well and has produced some very important saves throughout the playoffs. He has lived up to each hurdle he has had to climb.
WILL HESMER has been solid in goal in COLUMBUS and has given his backs reason to be confident.

*DEFENDERS: For the RED BULLS lets just say their backs have been brave. CHRIS LEITCH, DIEGO JIMENEZ, CARLOS MENDES, ANDREW BOYENS have given their all and clearly have the benefit of knowing exactly what their tactics are. This will change if the CREW can get the game’s first goal. The defending will become less comfortable for this group if they actually have to come out of their deep defending position.
COLUMBUS has gotten a great year out of CHAD MARSHALL who finally is showing some “teeth”. GINO PADULA was targeted by the KC WIZARDS but lived up to it all year and the ARGENTINE has become a huge signing solidifying that position. Former RED BULL DANNY O”ROURKE will have incentive while FRANKIE HEJDUK still brings intensity.
HEJDUK will try to join in down the right will PADULA will support mainly from behind.

*MIDFIELD: NEW YORK will again be workmanlike with LUKE SASSANO, SINISA UBIPARIPOVIC while their real attacking threat comes from their wide men DANE RICHARDS and DAVE van den BERG who brings experience and intelligence. NEW YORK will have to deal with the wide play of ROBBIE RODGERS (needs to get into this game early) and EDDIE GAVEN. You will know if COLUMBUS is on if those two are getting in front of LEAGUE MVP GUILLERMO BARROS SCHELOTTO with their movement.
BRAD EVANS (key season after injury to ADAM MOFFAT) and BRIAN CARROLL are the axis and platform from which SCHELOTTO plays off.
SCHELOTTO will look for space between the NEW YORK midfield and backline and if he finds it he will have a big day. It is up to SCHELOTTO to help the CREW find the game’s first goal.

FORWARDS: ALEJANDRO MORENO won’t run past you but he will hold the ball up for the CREW. He has produced nine goals and plays a vital role.
JUAN PABLO ANGEL doesn’t need a lot of chances and last weekend one journalist called him out for having a poor game? Are you kidding? The
guy was back defending and playing as a “worker” to try and help secure the win. The RED BULL players have taken the cue seeing a former EPL
striker at ASTON VILLA working for the “cause”.
JOHN WOLYNIEC has been a journey-man in MLS but is as honest as they come when putting in an effort. His key play against RSL in the Western Conference
final led to the tactically important game’s first goal which ended up being the game winner.

BENCH: I give it to the CREW here who have striker STEVEN LENHART and JASON GAREY. EMMANUEL EKPO brings pace off the bench and won a silver medal at the OLYMPICS for NIGERIA. He would be a starter on other teams in MLS potentially. EZRA HENDRICKSON brings experience having won MLS CUPS while ANDY IRO can fill in at center back.

NEW YORK has MIKE MAGEE who brings a creative edge along with foriegn talent like JORGE ROJAS and GABRIEL CICHERO from VENEZUELA and ARGENTINE JUAN PETRAVALLO.
I credit OSORIO for benching these players and following his instinct. On an additional not RICHARDS, CICHERO and ROJAS all traveled during the week to play internationally.

TACTICS: Lets hope this doesn’t spoil the final but why would NEW YORK change anything? They will defend deep and keep their lines tight as to limit space for the CREW, play direct, hope for some plays out of DANE RICHARDS, DAVE van den BERG and ANGEL. They will run into problems if COLUMBUS scores first forcing the RED BULLS to attack more and open up. The RED BULLS have been brave, have fought and deserve credit but this has been no defensive masterpiece or coach’s masterplan by OSORIO. This team has been out-right lucky (some of which they have made).
They have been very timely and opportunistic with their goals and have punished the opposition for over-aggressiveness at times while seeking out the games first goal.

The 2008 MLS season comes to and end today……