Here are the articles I've done for him, including one that wasn't published...
Soccer By Ives: Crew 2, FC Dallas 1: A Supporter's View
Soccer By Ives: Dynamo 2, Crew 0: A Supporter's View
Soccer By Ives: Crew 2, Rapids 0: A Supporter's View
Soccer By Ives: Crew 3, Wizards 3 (A Supporter's View)
Soccer By Ives: Real Salt Lake 2, Crew 0: A Supporter's View
Soccer By Ives: Fire 2, Crew 2: A Supporter's View
Soccer By Ives: Crew 2, Rapids 1: A Supporter's View
Here's the un-published wrap-up I wrote for Ives before I had the gig full-time:
Is it possible to win a game 3-0, with a makeshift, injury-ravaged lineup, and still leave the fans feeling a bit underwhelmed? That's the question being pondered by Crew Nation. As the injuries pile up, and the reserves are pushed into the starting lineup, the Black and Gold start to resemble a MASH unit; but, as Sigi Schmid said in the pre-game comments, "That's why you have 28 pros."
Although they were missing Gaven, Hendrickson, Miglioranzi, Moffat, and Padula, the plug-in players weren't exactly newcomers to the MLS like, uh, Moffat and Padula... Duncan Oughton is one of the longest-tenured members of The Crew, and took Moffat's midfield position. And while Junge, Iro, and Ekpo were new and mostly untested at the professional level, it's not like The Crew hadn't been through this for, well, for the past three years.
The central defense pairing of O'Rourke and Marshall was intact, with the most under-rated player in MLS, Brian Carroll, covering in front of them and the rock-solid Hesmer was patrolling the goal.
Kansas City has made a great arrangement for their temporary digs while their stadium is being constructed, but let's be honest - it looks like a bowling alley. And the narrow pitch played into Columbus' hands 3 minutes into the game, when Marshall powered a header past Hartman and into the net. Despite over 70 corner kicks in their season thus far, The Crew had only managed one goal on a corner kick before this one.
Playing with a lead, Columbus seems to relax, spread out, and work the ball around the field, instead of trying to press for the goal with every possession. And the early lead settled down the Black and Gold, and gave the backups - essentially a US Open Cup lineup - the cushion they needed to settle their nerves. The wingbacks, Iro and Junge, played like veterans, and Marshall marshaled the defense well, as Columbus maintained their shape and never gave the Wizards and opportunity to work their offense. Complementing the new defenders were outside midfielders Ekpo and Rogers, who chased and harassed and Cherundolo'ed Kansas City all night. With the narrow field, Oughton and Carroll seemed to be everywhere any time the ball came off the sideline.
And yet, The Crew seemed so relaxed in their play, and they so dominated extensive lengths of the game that 3-0, with 2 goals by Alejandro "the-slowest-fast-guy-you'll-ever-see" Moreno, felt flat. Columbus dominated the scoreline, and never allowed a serious attack to mount, but without Rogers running wild, or looping blasts from midfield (a la Adam Moffat), it almost felt like Columbus scored their goals as an afterthought to dominating possession.
Now that Columbus has broken their 4-game winless streak, and their 360+ minute scoreless streak, can they sustain their momentum?
How does Sigi Schmid re-integrate Hejduk (USMNT call-up) and Padula (injury) into a lineup that stonewalled KC? Who will partner with Carroll in the midfield in Moffatt's absence? Is Jason Garey back from injury? How long before some hack job lands Robbie Rogers on a stretcher? Will Moreno survive another season mostly injury-free despite drawing more fouls than any player in the league over the last 3 years?
For today, let's not sweat it. Instead, let the Crew Nation revel in a 3-0 victory that seemed effortless and dominating, two things not seen from the Black and Gold since 2004.
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