Much in the same way Chris spoke with the opposition's beat writers during the Patriots season, we're hoping to do that during the Revolution season. And for our first installment, we're lucky to have with us Ralph Schudel, who covers Columbus for The Massive Report, a Crew-centered blog.
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BSJ: Obviously the Crew have been saved from Anthony Precourt and the feared move to Austin. And obviously, I’m sure the mood around town has done a complete 180 with the Haslems and Edwards families securing the team and the funding for a new stadium. But tell me and our members: Just how relieved are you are the other guys and gals at The Massive Report and the Columbus Dispatch, not to mention the fan base, at still having the team in town, pretty much in perpetuity? How does this restore the fan base’s faith in the club?
RS: It's amazing the difference a year makes. Last season felt like a farewell tour of sorts; fans didn't know if it would be the last time visiting certain MLS venues. Thankfully it's not and the Crew can move forward with its new lease on life. With the Haslams and the Edwards families saving the day, both have done an excellent job of endearing themselves to the Columbus community.
Dr. Pete (Edwards) has been on staff with the club since 1996, so he's no stranger to the sport of soccer. He's seen what business tactic worked and which ones failed under past regimes. Dee Haslam has come on the scene and she's ready to make an impact. During her time with the Browns, she touted the need to be a community asset.
Since becoming the owner of the Crew, she has put that same line of thinking into practice. Dr. Edwards and herself will be installing a miniature soccer field at one of the Columbus City elementary schools this year.
Both of the families are saying and doing the right things. If last weekend's home opener is any indication of where this club is heading from a business perspective, the future is bright.
BSJ: You guys have a new gaffer in Caleb Porter, who seems to be using the similar style of Gregg Berhalter with the 4-2-3-1 in offensive areas, but I noticed this is a team that can sink back into a 4-4-2 defensively, keep its shape, and defend pretty well as they showed against those Scarlet Steers. Bringing in Waylon Francis has to be a big help. And one match is a very small body of work, but how do you see this Crew defense faring in 2019?
RS: Well I think you said it in the final portion of your question, it's a small body of work but it certainly looks promising. Losing a promising talent like Milton Valenzuela during the preseason is definitely going to hurt, but Waylon Francis will help ease the loss. Caleb said that he never understood why Francis was so underutilized, he thought he was a great outside back when he coached against him during his time in Portland.
I have concerns regarding the backup plan should Francis or Harrison Afful are lost to an injury. The center back spot seems solidified with the pairing of Jonathan Mensah and Gaston Sauro. I do expect those pairing will be fluid as the season progresses and the schedule does become a bit more congested.
BSJ: The one thing about this Crew team that I like — read: dread going into Saturday — is that Porter ran out the Usual Suspects when it comes to offense in Federico Higuain, Gyasi Zardes, Justin Meram, and Pedro Santos. And they played some absolutely beautiful football last weekend — but even against a scaled-back Red Bull side, they could only dent twine once. What happened there?
RS: Simple, not enough play along the wings. Crew SC doesn't have a bonafide threat like the Revs have with (Cristian) Penilla. This allows the center backs and defenders to target Gyasi Zardes and limit the strikers' opportunities. Pedro Santos is a good player but a lot of the little things he does don't show up on the score sheet.
As for Justin Meram, he's a bit slow out of the gates recovering from an offseason surgery, but I suspect it will be no time at all that the Lion of Mesopotamia will be roaring again.
BSJ: The big question: How committed to the club is goalkeeper Zach Steffen right this second? He’s got the big contract to Manchester City looming, C-Bus has Joe Bendik waiting in the wings… just what’s the goalkeeping situation like for Porter’s squad?
BSJ: The big question: How committed to the club is goalkeeper Zach Steffen right this second? He’s got the big contract to Manchester City looming, C-Bus has Joe Bendik waiting in the wings… just what’s the goalkeeping situation like for Porter’s squad?
RS: This team is 100% behind Zack Steffen, he is THE guy. The bigger controversy is who backs him up on a weekly basis, Joe Bendik or Jon Kempin?
BSJ: And lastly: what are the chances that we here in New England get to see old friend Patrick Mullins on the Gillette carpet this weekend? What’s his situation like given Zardes is ahead of him on the depth chart?
BSJ: And lastly: what are the chances that we here in New England get to see old friend Patrick Mullins on the Gillette carpet this weekend? What’s his situation like given Zardes is ahead of him on the depth chart?
RS: It's totally possible. Mullins played well during a reserve team against the University of Akron on Sunday. It's tough to get a bead on Porter's substitution patterns, he used just one last week.
If Mullins enters the game and it's not to replace Zardes, Revs fans can expect Mullins to play the No. 9, while Zardes will drift to the wings. I imagine this substitution will occur if the Crew are down a goal and chasing the game.