MLS Thursday Night: Columbus v New England

Last week I threw my support behind the notion of a national MLS game of the week on Thursday evenings and I enjoyed the heck out of the match. Just when I thought ESPN had a good thing going here, they go ahead and add Tommy Smyth into the commentary booth. Ugh. Interesting credentials, he has. Nevertheless, we shall forge on and do our part to hype tonight’s match and to build a new tradition in American sports. If nothing else, you can make it into a drinking game. Every time Smyth says something stupid, make your enemy drink.

You might need to do some drinking to add to the excitement this week, but let’s hope not. The Columbus Crew, a team that has opened its 2007 MLS campaign with two 0-0 draws take on a New England Revolution side that lost its opener to Chicago 1-0 and then spanked Toronto FC 4-0 at home.

Three things to watch for as you plug your ears during the telecast:

1. Will the Crew ever score? – Based on what I saw the first couple of games the Crew couldn’t score in a Texas whorehouse. The names Jason Garey, Andy Herron and Joseph Ngwenya hardly strike fear in one’s heart but they are the forwards tasked with finding the net. You can cast a vote for when or if that will actually happen. Conversely, the guy in goal for the Crew, Andy Gruenebaum, is starting in net for the first year and hasn’t given up a goal yet.

2. Will Shalrie Joseph fight his own teammates? – To say that the midfielder is unhappy with the way the Revolution have treated him is an understatement. The Revs reportedly turned down a $1 million transfer bid for him from Celtic last year and the squawked when he asked for more money this year. Then he asked to be traded. He was not. He is a heck of a player but how hard will he fight for the team tonight and this season? He did score last week despite being hampered by a leg injury. Hopefully he’ll fight better than he did in a bar.

3. The Crewzers – Midwestern cheerleaders. Enough said.

Enjoy the game. Feel free to use this space for comments before, during and after the game. Also check out the Crew and Revs Offside blogs for Tommy Smyth-free analysis.

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Category: MLS, World Football