The reigning king must define his time atop the throne by defeating an opponent. It does not come through building monuments or passing laws, but by the conquest and battle. So, odes the team atop any league have to prove itself worthy of speaking as one of the greatest teams only once it had successfully retained it’s title. This quest for repeat begins officially with the battle against Real Salt Lake. For the Columbus Crew, this is the culmination of a frew years of work with drafts and development. Not last year’s trophy, but the defense of it that has been done so far this season. This is what separates the greatest teams, how they defend the title. The Crew want to go down as the most successful of MLS clubs, one that performs well in the CONCACAF Champions League and defends it’s title. Here is how the match-up is going to break down :

Columbus Crew :

Keepers : Will Hesmer has been challenged and in the process was awakened. Now, the new and improved Hesmer is the third best statistical goalie in MLS. He is still and emotional mess at times and can emote more than communicate, but the team in front of him knows that and lives with it. He is a piece of the title-holders and as he goes, they go.

Defenders: With last year’s MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall returning, though he has played since mid-September, there will be questions about the cohesion in this previously super-solid unit. If the questions are answered without goals passing by, then the Crew are on the way to possibly repeating.

Midfield: This unit has two side to it: the cool side is made up of defenders (Brian Carroll, Danny O’Rourke, and Adam Moffat) that let nothing pass without contention while the hot side (Robbie Rogers, Emmanuel Ekpo, and Eddie Gaven) attack from the wings with flaming hot crosses and stabing strikes. The combo platter is pretty good.

Forwards: Schelotto is the reigning MVP and behind him is a bevy of talent that can put goals in by way of the ground or air. It doesn’t matter how you defend, the Crew can score on you.

Real Salt Lake:

Keepers: While many ignore Nick Rimando, there is no depth on the roster. If Rimando goes down, the team dives even deeper. He was lost for 3 game this year, they one none of them.

Defenders: The development of Tony Beltran has been a blessing. The solid duo of Nat Borchers and Chris Wingert make the goal a long-lost achievement for most. There lurks a monster named Jamison Olave in the midst of the backwall that others should fear. This is no back four to take lightly.

Midfield: Andy Williams is hot! He has the midas touch and Kyle Beckerman should keep possession for the RSL faithful as long as possible. The less the Crew have it the better. Will Johnson and Clint Mathis fill out an attacking group out of the middle of the field that surprise more teams than they should.

Forwards: If the creativity of Yura Movsisyan and Fabian Espindola are able to get going, then the RSL are going somewhere. With the recent awakening of Robbie Findley, the offense has one more tool.

Summary/Prediction :

The up-and-coming are exploding on the scene! RSL are here! With this opportunity they are announcing that the west is full of teams that can and will win championship in the future. A well-run organization, RSL is developing talent for dominating the Western Conference. However, the Columbus Crew has that veteran leadership you so desperately need to get the Cup. With the Cup already in their hands, they aren’t about to let go so easily and this RSL team is not yet ready to rip it out of their grasp. Columbus advances.