The Columbus Crew, who will play its home opener on Saturday against the Montreal Impact (4pm, TVA Sports), is known for having a blue collar work ethic, building and defending through the midfield.
Here is a look at some of the elements that might affect the team’s success this season.
POLL
Impact vs. Crew : Prédictions ?
Biggest acquisition this offseason
Chilean midfielder Milovan Mirosevic addressed the offseason needs of someone to direct the attack. Mirosevic has scored 46 goals in 108 games over the past three seasons for Universidad Catolica of the Chilean first division.
Mirosevic plays behind the forwards, a role that Argentine Barros Schelotto filled successfully prior to his departure in 2009.
READ : Crew signs defender Nemanja Vukovic
Biggest departure in the offseason
Andres Mendoza led last year’s team and finished fourth in the league with 13 goals, but his personality and off-the-field antics left plenty to be desired and the team did not bring back its designated player. In his place, a number of players must improve their production to make up for the loss of goals, including Emilio Renteria, who tallied eight goals last season.
VIEW : 2012 Columbus Crew Roster
Formation used
The Crew plays a 4-5-1, with Renteria playing the lone striker’s role, just behind a five-man midfield with Mirosevic playing the central role. Here is a look at the Crew’s possible starting Xl for Saturday’s game:
Key to success against the Crew
Impact defender Josh Gardner, a former member of the Crew, has a good idea of what it takes for Montreal to overcome Columbus this weekend.
“They are a young and athletic team, with a lot of new faces and a good back line,” said Gardner, who came really close to scoring the winner against the Fire last Saturday. “We need to use our speed to get behind the defence and create scoring opportunities. If we do that, we’ll be successful.”
