The Columbus Crew played their first preseason game of the 2012 season this morning, taking on Swedish club Malmo in a specially-formatted contest that lasted 135 minutes. Head coach Robert Warzycha used two different starting lineups, allowing almost every player - and a pair of triallists - to see game action.
Emilio Renteria scored for the Crew in the first minute of play, but Malmo would eventually prevail 2-1 with a pair of goals in the first 45 minutes.
Of the 39 players in some form of relationship with the team, only seven were not included in Wednesday's game. The team released the lineups - and formations - via photographs on the team blog, providing ample fodder for speculation by observers.
Mirosevic and Vargas used separately
While it would be a mistake to read too much into the lineups used by the coaching staff, it is nonetheless interesting that the Crew chose to split their high-profile offseason signings, midfielder Milovan Mirosevic and forward Olman Vargas. Mirosevic played the first 65 minutes alongside Emilio Renteria and first-round draft pick Ethan Finlay. If the lineup captured on a pad of notebook paper is to be believed, Warzycha deployed Mirosevic in a manner reminescent of Guillermo Barros Schelotto, as a withdrawn forward floating in front of a four-man bucket midfield. Finlay, a forward in college, was listed as a right winger opposite Dilly Duka.
The second half lineup indicated a slight shift in tactics, with Olman Vargas and second-year forward Tommy Heinemann paired as twin forwards in a more traditional 4-4-2. In this period the flanks were manned by Bernardo Anor (left) and Justin Meram (right).
Two defensive midfielder
A second interesting commonality between the two posted lineups is the use - in both halves - of a pair of defensive central midfielders: Cole Grossman and Kirk Urso in the first half, and Tony Tchani and Danny O'Rourke in the second half. The team appears to have adopted a more offensive posture in the last 15 minutes of the second half, as Trinidadian attacking midfielder Silvio Spann replaced Danny O'Rourke.
Four triallists
Each year, the Crew brings in a rotating series of triallists who are either searching for a contract or simply trying to make connections. This season is no different, with a quartet of players being listed in this capacity against Malmo.
1) Javier Avial
No information is available about this player as of this writing, although inquiries are pending with the Crew.
2) Nermin Crnkic
Crnkick is a Michigan native who first attracted attention in late 2010 as one of ten juniors to be named a boys high school All-American by the NSCAA. After setting his school's all-time assist record, Crnkick spurned the collegiate system in signing a professional contract with Sandvikens IF of the Swedish fourth division (Norra Svealand district) in July of 2011. It is not clear at the moment whether he is still under contract with Sandvikens, although it should be kept in mind that Malmo - themselves a Swedish club - is in Florida taking advantage of the long Swedish winter break.
3) Lance Laing
Laing is a Jamaican defender who played last season with the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in the NASL. Laing was a stalwart member of the Strikers back line, having seen more action than any other player on the team (and tied for 10th in the league in minutes played). He made two appearances for the Jamaican national team in friendlies in 2008, but has not featured since.
On Wednesday, Laing started the first half of the scrimmage at left back, playing alongside Chad Marshall, Carlos Mendes and Aubrey Perry.
4) Silvio Spann
Spann is a veteran Trinidadian midfielder who has been compared by some observers to Russell Latapy. Having played an important role in qualifying the Soca Warriors for their first World Cup in 2006, Spann was forced to miss the tournament with an injury. His ten-year career has found him playing in Europe, North America and Asia.
Spann came on in the 55th minute of the second half against Malmo, replacing Danny O'Rourke.
Columbus Crew roster vs Malmo
First 65 minutes
Andy Gruenebaum; Aubrey Perry, Carlos Mendes, Chad Marshall, Lance Laing*; Ethan Finlay, Cole Grossman, Kirk Urso, Dilly Duka; Milovan Mirosevic; Emilio Renteria
Second 70 minutes
Andy Gruenebaum (Matt Lampson, 25); Korey Veeder, Josh Williams, Eric Gehrig, Shaun Francis; Justin Meram, Danny O’Rourke (Silvio Spann*, 55), Tony Tchani, Bernardo Anor; Olman Vargas (Darren Amoo, 68), Tommy Heinemann (Aaron Horton, 49)
Unused substitutes
Javier Avial*, Andrew Bulls, Nermin Crnkic*, Kevan George
* Non-roster triallist
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