Crew's depth highlighted in Costa Rica
Victory over Saprissa fueled by strength of deep Columbus bench
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They went into Costa Rica and emerged with the first victory by an MLS team in seven tries at Estadio Saprissa (also a place where the U.S. national team has never won), despite making wholesale changes from a victory against Western Conference leader Houston three days earlier.
While two holdovers from the Dynamo match starred -- midfielder Eddie Gaven scored in the fifth minute and William Hesmer was outstanding in goal -- they were joined at the onset by only two other starters from that game in Danny O'Rourke and Brian Carroll. Another, Robbie Rogers, entered in the 60th minute against Saprissa.
"We've got a good squad," midfielder Adam Moffat said. "Even if we don't change 11 players, maybe bring in three or four, the players we're bringing in are capable of doing a good job and getting a result."
The Crew are 2-1 in Group C play to trail leader Cruz Azul by a point with three matches left. The Mexican side visits Crew Stadium Sept. 23 with the home team looking to avenge a 5-0 road loss last month. The top two teams advance.
Coach Robert Warzycha made seven personnel changes and completely revamped the Crew backline in an effort to save some of his players for Sunday's match at Chicago. The Eastern Conference frontrunners are three points up on the Fire.
Moffat, who went the distance vs. Saprissa, said Warzycha did a good job of emphasizing the Champions League game while also looking ahead to Chicago.
"You have to get that balance," said Moffat. "We know the Champions League is a very big game. We want to qualify and get to the next stage and then in Chicago on Sunday we don't want them gaining ground on us."
With defenders Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Eric Brunner and Gino Padula staying at home, Warzycha used O'Rourke, Jed Zayner, Andy Iro and converted midfielder Duncan Oughton in the back. Moffat stepped into O'Rourke's central midfield spot and Emmanuel Ekpo replaced Rogers on the flank. Steven Lenhart and Jason Garey were the starting forwards instead of Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno.
Rogers was the lone substitute, leaving several young players still seeking minutes for the first time in months. Midfielders Kevin Burns, Cory Elenio and Alex Grendi hoped the Crew's involvement in the Champions League and a busy September stretch of seven games in 21 days would present opportunities for them.
So far it hasn't worked out that way since none of them have appeared in the first three Champions League games. Elenio's only MLS action was 17 minutes in relief of Grendi on March 28. Grendi came off the bench in the season opener and started the second game but hasn't played a league game since May 2 and has compiled only 127 minutes. Burns' last of four appearances for a total of 67 minutes was July 18.
"Every day I look forward to training because that's my chance to play right now," Elenio said. "I'd be lying if I said I'm not dying to get a game but we have a solid team. You can't do too much complaining when they're putting up results pretty much every week with a few exceptions."
The elimination of the MLS reserve division has hurt the players at the bottom of the roster.
"There are no reserve games and we don't play that much 11-v-11 so it's tough to prove yourself," Burns said. "In my spot you're either going to play 90 minutes or you're not going to play much. At center mid you're not going to trade those guys in an out. It's not like outside (midfield) or forwards that come on. You're either going to play 30 games or very little."
Because it's been the latter for the trio each day of training becomes important.
"We have to focus on getting on the (first) squad every practice," Burns said.
All Warzycha asks of his three young players is that they work hard and be ready when called upon.
"Everybody has a role on this team. Some of the guys are starters. Some of the guys rotate and some of the guys are left out. They are very close," he said.
Moreno said the "fringe" players are equal partners.
"We as a team seem to be a very good group and they're certainly a part of that group and the day-to-day dynamics of the team," he said. "It also comes down to a personal choice by them how engaged they want to be. The more engaged they are the more they'll enjoy the things the team is doing.
"I think their approach has to be to take advantage of whatever opportunity they have whether it's in training or a game. Certainly the only way to get on the field is to do well through training."
Elenio has played in only two MLS matches in two seasons and said he might consider dropping to the USL-1 next season.
"Maybe it's a crossroad I come by at the end of the season," he said. "Right now I'm worried about helping this team win."
He's thankful for the opportunities the Crew have given him. Not only is he training at a high level he also has an MLS championship ring from last season.
"I play soccer to play in games. The positive is that I'm training with such great players I'm still getting better. That's the most important thing; I'm still progressing," he said. "If I felt I wasn't improving coming out here and not getting games in then it would be a little tougher."
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
