Gameday Update: Crew Need the Fifth

Who is this guy? And why is he on the Crew blog? Read on...

Just wanted to take a quick look around the league as we get ready for the late nighter against San Jose. I know many Crew fans are planning on an easy win tonight, but let's hope the team is on its game. DC did Columbus no favors on Thursday night, losing to the Fire 2-0. Thanks for that, Scum; the one time a Columbus fan might root for you, and you choke. No seriously, thanks.

Thanks to DC, the Crew have to keep winning to stay in front of the Chicago Fire. As good as the Crew have looked, that first game against Chicago will really let us know who is truly the class of the East. Granted, we're all pretty sure it's the Crew, but Chicago is having just as good of a start to the season.

So what else is going on besides the Crew kicking ass in San Jose? Glad you asked:

The FSC Overhyped Crapfest: Colorado at Houston (8:30pm FSC)
Houston is desperate for a win. Colorado has lost two out of three, but they did beat DC at home last week. Of course, beating DC is about as easy as convincing a 400-pound man to go with you to Hometown Buffet. Look for Houston to get that first win.

Prediction: Houston wins 3-1


The No-One-Cares Western Conference Game: Dallas at Real Salt Lake (9pm Direct Kick)
Does anyone else think Arturo Alvarez looks like Rod Stewart? Me neither...

Prediction: Dallas wins 2-0


That OTHER Late Night Game: NYRB at LA Galaxy (10:30pm HD Net)
Landon Donovan and David Beckham welcome JPA and Jozy Altidore to the HDC. Fortunately for the Galaxy, Abel Xavier is injured, so maybe Donovan won't have to score three goals for them to win. Then again, that begs the question "Who is worse": Abel Xavier, or the guy who can't beat out Abel Xavier for the starting job?

Prediction: NYRB win 3-2


The Interesting Sunday Game: New England at Chivas (3pm Sunday Telfutura)
Taylor Twellman is probable for the Revs, who have looked poor early this year. Chivas hasn't been much better. Still, both teams have quality, and if this matchup were to occur when the teams are at full strength, it's probably be a little more interesting.

Prediction: 2-2 draw

Of course, I'm pulling for NY and NE to lose, but against the West, it's not likely. You can't keep quality down.

Finally, on a completely unrelated note, the Big Soccer board had an interesting topic regarding things new Crew fans should know. It's quite interesting, and there's some good info on there for the noobs of Crew nation. My favorite part of the thread was this link: The Saga of Brad Fiedel

For those not in the know, the former U.S. National Team and currrent Blackburn Rovers keeper was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 1997 as a member of the Crew. He was then sold to Liverpool for $1.7 million, and eventually landed in Blackburn, where he seen the team go from promotion to almost qualifying for Europe in his 8 years there. Friedel started a tradition of the Crew exporting talent oversees (see also: Brian McBride, Stern John, Marcos Gonzalez, etc...). And as much as I hate to say it, players like Robbie Rogers, Adam Moffat, and even Will Hesmer could have bright futures in Europe. But Friedel was the first Crew player to make a splash.