Morning Afterthoughts: Crew are "Ekpo"-nentionally Better.

(Photo courtesy of G. Bertram/ Getty)

The Crew got goals from Guillermo Barros Schelotto (off a PK earned by Moreno) and Emmanuel Ekpo, who got his first MLS goal in stunning fashion, putting in a solo effort for the game winner. Here are some random thoughts I had while watching the game.

- 30:21. That was the first time I bothered to look up at the scoreboard in the first half. I am a perpetual scoreboard watcher, usually checking every three to four minutes to see where we are in the half, how long it's been since we've had a shot, things like that. Today, the Crew dominated possession in the first half and played very entertaining football for the first half hour of the match. Sadly, they did not get results in the first half, but the 2-1 victory was fair, if a little closer than it should have been.

- "Moreno REALLY looks slow." And just as I thought that, he made two guys miss and earned the penalty. He's not fast, but his work rate is unbeatable and he is very savvy. I just have to adjust my preferences to fit this team; we have speed (Rogers, Expo, Hejduk) on the edges and workhorses (Marshall, Moreno, Carrol) in the middle of the field. I like to see more speed through the middle of the park, but this team works with what they have. Sigi is getting this team to win even while missing some of the guys he brought in to help.

- "Why is that guy in the US Natty Team Jersey dragging people out of the section?" This guy ran past me three or four times, a couple of times nearly knocking me over, to go get some of the smoke bombers. I asked him why he felt like he had to be such a boyscout, and he told me he was undercover security. I asked him to see his badge and he told me to "f#ck off". So that was nice. Later, though, I did confirm that he works with the CSC with one of their uniformed employees. I then told her that he should wear some ID so someone doesn't haul off and hit him for being a jackass. She nodded her head in agreement.

Just an FYI to all the fans in the Nordecke: the Crew FO so appreciates your business that they are now committing 4 CPD officers, 10 CSC guards, undercover agents, and the ever-trusty spy cams sitting on the lighting grid. I guess I didn't realize Crew Stadium was making so much bank at the gate that they could start affording to terrorize their best fans with all the paranoia-inducing, Big Brother kind of security they seem to be using now. Maybe we should come up with a secret handshake or something...

Also, kudos to the security guard for being the douchebag who doesn't have Crew gear, so he wears any soccer-related item he can find. I love it when I see fans walking around in Brazil or Chelsea kits at Crew Stadium. No, really, I do.

- "Is Iro-O'Rourke really better than "O'Rourke-Junge?" I think so, but Iro still needs a lot of work. Due to his height, he obviously is very good in the air, and can be strong with the forwards. But he needs to work on his positioning and fouls. Both can be corrected, especially in a rookie. Sadly, I think Sigi will put O'Rourke back in the middle once we're back to full strength.

And finally:

- "EKPO!!!!! WHAT A GOAL!!!!" When I saw him take the ball through what seemed like 92 defenders and STILL beat the keeper, I was so stunned/amazed/excited all I could do was laugh. I could not cheer, or scream, or do anything other than go "Wow!" and laugh. Truly an amazing goal.

But now, we must forget about the Dick's from Colorado, as it is now time for Chicago week. That's right. Two huge Eastern Conference foes are throwing down in my town halfway through the season to see who is going to be in the driver's seat for the 2nd half of the season to get a playoff position. Here's hoping we exploit every injury the Fire have and annihilate them 5-0.