The Crew.com's Cody Sharrett answers your questions weekly on Crew Mail. Send your questions to socialmedia@thecrew.com.
We understand that teams go through rough patches...how do the Crew "move on" from two losses. What tactics are used to get them through slumps?
- Michael and Rosemary C.
Despite the consecutive losses, the players are remaining confident. All the Crew can do at this point is take one game at a time and not dwell on the losses.
As far as tactics go, the veterans and new players are still in the process of gelling. New players, some of which there is a language barrier, can't be expected to come in and immediately have an on-field chemistry with veterans. Expect Robert Warzycha to make a couple of changes in the lineup in hopes of finding the right combination in the midfield. Maybe this will be the week the Crew turns it on offensively.
Do you think Houston will be at a disadvantage coming into the game considering their last game was cut short and ended in a draw?
- Daredevil-1142
For those who don't know, Houston is coming off a 1-1 draw in a weather-shortened match in Chicago. The game also included a 70 minute delay in the middle of the action.
I don't think Houston will be at a disadvantage because of the shortened match. These are professional athletes, they should be fit enough to compete for 90 minutes on Saturday. However, I do believe the Dynamo playing so many games on the road early in the season while BBVA Compass Stadium is completed puts Houston at disadvantage. Also, the Dynamo will be without 2011 MLS MVP runner-up Brad Davis, a key part in the team's attack. The Crew will have to make the most of homefield advantage and Davis' injury in order to turn things around and come away with three points on Saturday.
How often do you guys have open try outs?
- Tom H.
The First Team does not have open tryouts, but the Crew Soccer Academy does. The front office contacts players for trials on the First Team based on positional needs and player backgrounds. For more information on the Crew Soccer Academy tryouts, visit: TheCrewYouth.com
As is true throughout the rest of the world, domestic and regional tournaments go along way to building credibility with the soccer commuity at home and abroad. With that in mind, how much importance is the team putting on the US Open Cup as both a place to shine and as a way to punch our ticket to the CONCACAF Champions League.
- Boyd M.
With Crew founder Lamar Hunt's name on the US Open Cup, the Black & Gold takes the tournament very seriously.
"The importance of (the US Open Cup) is two-fold. It's CCL qualification and our owner's name is on the trophy," Crew technical director Brian Bliss says of the tournament. "It's awfully difficult to win the League. I don't want to say it's easy to win the Open Cup, but it's easier. It can be an easier pathway to get into the Champions League."
The tournament also provides younger players more playing time than they would see in MLS action while giving regular starters a break in the grueling regular season.
The Crew will kick off 2012 US Open Cup play as all MLS clubs begin playing in the third round of the tournament on May 29.
