Crew eye big step toward Supporters' Shield
Reigning holders missing key players ahead of New England test
Related
- Crew begin home-and-home with Revs
- Crew remain consistent, despite absences
- CLB-NE: Columbus Preview
Watch
Despite the absence of the eventual league MVP, the Crew earned a 1-0 win on a goal by defender Chad Marshall. The victory was an important step in securing the Supporters' Shield two weeks later.
The stakes are high for both teams Saturday in Foxborough, Mass., but in a twist Schelotto will be available while Marshall (MCL sprain) and four other Crew starters from that match last year won't be: midfielder Robbie Rogers, forward Alejandro Moreno and defender Frankie Hejduk are on international duty and defender Danny O'Rourke is suspended.
Crew coach Robert Warzycha is as unwilling as a poker player to reveal his hand but he has several choices to make beginning with Schelotto because of the artificial turf.
The 36-year-old forward played 61 minutes at Toronto FC on the BMO Field artificial surface; did not start but entered in the 69th minute at Seattle and played the final two minutes of a loss in Giants Stadium against New York. He also sat a Champions League game on the turf at Saprissa.
"I can play. I want to play but the coach makes the decision," Schelotto said. "Maybe because I did not play the last time (in New York), I won't play. I don't know."
Warzycha can go without Schelotto and hope for a win that would clinch the Eastern Conference regular season (a tie would rule out third-place New England but still give Chicago a chance to finish ahead of the Crew on goal differential) or hold him out until the next match Oct. 17 at D.C. United.
"I have to make the decision based on what's best for the team," Warzycha said.
There are mitigating circumstances, though. If the Crew beat New England to not only win the East but remain first in the Supporters' Shield race, then Warzycha might rest Schelotto against D.C. for a crucial Champions League match on Oct. 20.
The Crew need a point at the Puerto Rico Islanders (USL-1) to move into the quarterfinals. By the way, the match will be played on turf five days before the MLS season finale vs. New England.
If Schelotto returns to the Crew next season, at least his turf dilemma in MLS will be halved: Toronto is installing grass, as are the Red Bulls in their new stadium.
"It is an important game against New England but we have another game after that at D.C. and the Champions League," Schelotto said. "We would like to win the conference Saturday."
The Crew (12-5-10, 46 points) face a desperate Revolution (10-9-8, 38) trying to hold onto a playoff spot.
New England has had to deal with injuries to top players Steve Ralston, Taylor Twellman, Chris Albright, Jeff Larentowicz and Jay Heaps but coach Steve Nicol has the club in the running for the postseason as he does every year.
"They're missing a lot of key players but Stevie's done a good job of getting them to battle no matter who he puts out there," Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer said. "They're fighting hard and finding a way to be competitive.
"Shalrie (Joseph) has kind of taken them on his back in the past month so we have to be aware of him."
Joseph leads the team with eight goals and eight assists and will present a problem for the backline no matter the formation.
Warzycha's other major decision is using three or four defenders because so many regulars are missing. He could play Gino Padula and Eric Brunner on the corners with Andy Iro in the middle or have Jed Zayner at right back, Iro and Brunner as the center backs and Padula on the left.
"Every guy who is playing has had games back there," Brunner said. "We're all confident in what we're doing. We've shaken up the lineup in the back before and not had any problems."
How the defense lines up will also determine whether the Crew put four or five in the midfield.
"We're trying to attack the Supporters' Shield and they're trying to solidify the playoffs. It's an intriguing matchup," Crew midfielder Brian Carroll said. "If we go in there with the right attitude we can get a good result."
Even after losing to Seattle Sounders FC at home last week the Crew know they control their fate with three matches left -- win and everything else win fall in place.
"There's still a lot of work to be done," Hesmer said. "We want first place in the East and the Supporters' Shield. We want to be hitting all cylinders going into the playoffs.
"The Supporters' Shield is something that originated with the fans and we believe we have the best fans in the league. Every time we step into Crew Stadium they remind us of that so it's something important we can do for them."
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
