Pictured, Crew SC takes on the Costa Rica U-23’s during the preseason. Crew SC begins the MLS season on the road at Houston on Saturday. Photo/Tony Tchani (Columbus Crew SC)
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he season is finally here.
There will be no more talk about whether a players’ strike is going to happen. We are certain to hear more about the CBA for the first few weeks of the season, but the focus is now squarely on the matches themselves.
Matchday No. 1 takes us to Houston, Texas. The Dynamo had a disappointing 2014, finishing in 8th place in the Eastern Conference. The 2015 campaign sees the Dynamo make the jump to the Western Conference thanks to re-alignment, meaning that we won’t see the Dynamo as much in the future until we see a truly balanced schedule, but that will not occur until expansion is complete.
There are pretty high expectations this season after a successful 2014 under Gregg Berhalter, and getting all three points to start the season would be a great way to get 2015 off to a good start. Let’s take a look at the matchup.
What to expect from Houston:
Projected Lineup (4-4-2): Tyler Deric; DaMarcus Beasley, Jermaine Taylor, David Horst, Kofi Sarkodie; Brad Davis, Ricardo Clark, Luis Garrido, Boniek Garcia; Leonel Miranda, Will Bruin
Houston should line up in a familiar 4-4-2 formation, rolling with Miranda and Bruin up top. Raul Rodriguez is the only new addition I would expect to have a chance to start out of the gate, but expect to see David Horst slotting in at center half alongside of Jermaine Taylor. The midfield will need to be improved from last season to help feed the strikers up top if Houston is going to improve upon the paltry 39 goal tally from 2014.
What to expect from Columbus:
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Steve Clark; Hector Jimenez, Michael Parkhurst, Emanuel Pogatetz, Chris Klute; Tony Tchani, Wil Trapp; Ethan Finlay, Federico Higuain, Ben Speas; Kei Kamara
Justin Meram is out of this match, having to serve a suspension stemming from the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. With that gap to fill, it will be up to Berhalter to decide whether to go with Ben Speas or newcomer Kristinn Steindorsson. Kei Kamara looks right at home at the top of the formation, and there is hope that he will bring stability to the striker position after the revolving door at the #9 last season.
In your weekly “the sky is blue” news, Federico Higuain, fresh off signing a contract extension, will slot into the #10 role. He is the engine that makes the attack go, and with Tony Tchani and Wil Trapp sitting in the pivot, there’s no reason to believe that this midfield can’t be one of the most lethal in the league.
The back four could see a lot of rotation this year, but with both Klute and Grana ready at fullback, that allows Parkhurst and Pogatetz to man the middle. Waylon Francis and Hector Jimenez could be used as well, though we expect to see Jimenez at Right Fullback with Chris Klute at Left Fullback.
Nordecke favorite Steve Clark will man the net. If he has a better season than last year, Clark will be Goalkeeper of the Year, and there’s no reason to think that he can’t. Clark was a rock for the Black and Gold last season.
Prediction:
Columbus had a good preseason and should be ready for this opener. There is far less concern about the squad this year and expectations are high. I expect Columbus to get off to a great start. I’ll call for a Kamara brace as the Crew get all three points.
Columbus 3 – 1 Houston
[infobox color=”eg. light, green, blue, yellow”]
MATCHDAY #1:
Opponent: Houston Dynamo
2014 Record: 11-17-6 (8th – Eastern Conference)
Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium
Kickoff: 8:30 PM EDT
TV: Time Warner Cable Sports Network
Radio: CD102.5 FM[/infobox]
