Saturday, April 16, 2011

Sporting Kc vs. Columbus Game Preview

Tonight at 6:30 pm central time on KSMO the Mighty Blues will take on the Columbus Crew. The crew have been in somewhat of a rebuilding period, they've either traded or lost Hejduk, Padula, Schelotto, Moffat, and Lenhart, some of the best performers from last season. However Renteria and Marshall have turned in good performances the last couple of games as has Columbus' star player Andres Mendoza.

The unbeaten Crew will face a rested and re-energized Sporting Kc. Sporting will definitely look to win this game but traditionally Columbus' stadium is a very tough place to go to and get something out of, it should be interesting.

Now then, we turn our attention to SKC's lineup. Sporting haven't had too many injuries this week, although I   definitely know Bravo is still out. My best guess at a lineup would be this:
  

                                                            Bunbury
                     Sapong                                                                      Kamara





                                        Stojcev                            Arnaud

                                                             Auvray



                    Espinoza             Besler            Cesar            Harrington

                                                         Nielsen
       __________________________________________________________________
Subs: Kronberg, Shavar, Sassano, Rocastle, Zusi, Diop, and Myers

At the weekly press conference Vermes expressed concern about Marshall on set pieces. Marshall is a massive athlete and I honestly have no clue who would mark him on set pieces. This is where I think we could use a guy like Collin who we recently bought in the April transfer window. He's 6'2 and good in the air, our tallest outfield player is Kamara and he's 6'3 but not the best jumper. Unfortunately neither of our starting center backs are too tall, Besler(6'0) and Cesar (6'.5), and neither have shown that they are areal threats. Too bad Collin won't be traveling with SKC this week.

A win would move SKC into 2nd in the East, yes second! (with a game in hand). A win for Columbus would see them move up into second place in the East as well.

Overall it should be a great Eastern Conference match-up and should be very intense. My final (sorta bias) prediction: SKC take it 3-2. Goal scorers: for SKC, Bunbury(2) and Kamara(1), for The Crew, Mendoza(2).

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