Crew firing on all cylinders
By Ashleigh Ignelzi, Columbus Wired, Photos by Joel Torres & Dave Liggett (Columbus Wired)

Columbus, OH- The Columbus Crew is a team that has weathered quite a bit this season. Through their up’s and down’s, The Columbus Crew is 22 games into the season and they continue to show why they’re the reigning MLS Champions. They haven’t had it easy; the Crew has fought to get to the top of the competitive Eastern conference and is currently four points ahead of the Chicago Fire.

The battle continued on Saturday for the Crew, as they played host to FC Dallas. A team that defeated the Crew when they last met in mid June on Dallas’ home pitch, 1-0. But, this time thanks to an early goal from Chad Marshall, the Crew held the lead and was victorious over FC Dallas 2-0. The winning streak continues for the Crew and their unbeaten streak at home extends to 20 games.

Right out of the gates, the Crew started out strong when in the 10th minuet Chad Marshall had his fourth goal of the season. Even though the Crew was without Captain Frankie Hejduk due to his right quadriceps strain and MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto not in the starting line up, that didn’t take it’s toll on the Crew.

Goalkeeper William Hesmer knows that no team can be over looked and the fight that started in the beginning of the season continues each game, even against 7th ranked Western Conference FC Dallas. Hesmer said “They’re a young team, they’ve got talent and there maturing as the season goes on, so they can be a danger at any moment.”

But is this the same team that as last year? The dominating MLS Champions that won the Supports Shield? Hesmer seems to think so. He went on to say that he feels they’ve matured as a team and they are even better than last year. With confidence like that, it can only generate positive feelings within the club.

The second goal that pushed the Crew to their five game winning streak came from Eddie Gaven in the 87th minuet. After last night’s performance the Columbus Crew it’s clear they have grown from the struggles that plagued them earlier in the season.

The three teams that beat them earlier in the season Real Salt Lake, Chivas USA, FC Dallas the Crew has rebounded and has since beaten them. With their most recent victory over FC Dallas, it’s clear revenge it sweet for the Columbus Crew.