McCarthy's Musings: Misplaced Priorities

By Kyle McCarthy

Is this really what the winless Columbus Crew should be worrying about right now?

That was the first thought that popped into my mind when I first read the Columbus Dispatch article detailing accusations about Chicago playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, referee Jair Marrufo and a much-maligned Blanco number ten kit thrown into the referee's changing room during the aftermath of Saturday's 2-2 draw. Blanco also chatted with Marrufo prior to the match and yelled at Marrufo and his crew during halftime, according to the article.

My second thought: Should anyone be surprised that Blanco wants to talk to the referee as much as possible? Blanco's a top-level player. Top-level players seek any edge they possibly can. If that means riding the referee mercilessly, then so be it. Plus, Blanco is one of the most annoying players in league history in terms of baiting opposing teams and referees. Poor taste and sportsmanship aside, I don't see much wrong with what Blanco did here. The Chicago Tribune apparently agrees, citing sources that say Blanco isn't expected to face discipline for his actions.

My third thought: This sure looks like a thinly-veiled attempt from the Crew organization to vent some frustration after a disappointing result and retain their starting left back for Saturday's difficult road test at Toronto FC.

There are two reasons this story cropped up so conveniently:

1. Columbus wants MLS to overturn Gino Padula's suspension.

This is a public-relations exercise to sway MLS into undercutting Marrufo and wiping Padula's suspension. Look no further than the sixth paragraph in the Dispatch piece for proof:

“The Crew is appealing the automatic fine and one-game suspension of Padula, citing inconsistencies in Marrufo's calls and his alleged acceptance of Blanco's gift,” the Dispatch noted. “It filed a report with MLS that cited the pregame, halftime and postgame incidents involving Marrufo and Blanco.”

Padula is a significant loss to the Crew back line that hasn't enjoyed much stability this season. The steady Argentine is the first-choice left-back at a position where the Crew doesn't have a ton of cover. Jed Zayner is the most likely to enter the back four with Frankie Hejduk's availability uncertain as he recovers from a hamstring injury. The problem: Zayner has generally featured on the right, not the left, side of the back four. That means the Crew will have to make further changes and juggling around the back four isn't a good recipe for success on the shores of Lake Ontario. 

2. The Crew is struggling. Big time.

This incident probably would have been swept under the rug if the Crew rested atop the Eastern Conference table right now. They don't. In fact, the defending champions haven't won a game. The title defense has started with four points taken from a possible 18. Not exactly the start the Crew wanted to life after Sigi.

Instead of fixing the on-field problems, the Crew are trying to patch things over by throwing around wild accusations off of it. It might relieve their anger right now and maybe this stunt might allow Padula to play at BMO Field on Saturday. Even if successful, this fit won't cure the key injuries (Frankie Hejduk, Will Hesmer and Adam Moffat to name just three), defensive lapses and generally poor form that have seen Columbus sink to this point. Maybe the Crew would be better served by rectifying those issues instead of creating further distractions.

Around the League

- Former Toronto FC coach John Carver gave a lengthy interview to the Toronto Star for Tuesday's paper. If we take Carver at his word, then the English coach resigned because he couldn't coach Sunday's match against Kansas City from the press box. “That was my last straw,” Carver said. “I wanted to run the club the way I wanted to run it and I had Mo's backing. But, it's like everything else, the league runs the show and I wasn't prepared to do it the way they wanted to do it. If it's not right for the club, to get the right results, then I'm not going to do something detrimental.”

- No word on whether Carver thinks his resignation or his continued bleating about MLS officiating and protocols would be considered detrimental to TFC.

- In other TFC related news, the Reds are expected to name Chris Cummins or Nick Dasovic as interim coach today. The smart money is on Cummins.

- Kyle Davies – the recent subject of a weighted lottery, a process I critiqued in this space last week – won't start his career with Real Salt Lake after all. RSL dished him to FC Dallas for a second-round draft pick. Why was the price so low for the U.S. U-20 captain? RSL didn't have room on its roster to keep him, so the leverage rested with other teams unless RSL wanted to make a roster move. With Fabian Espindola en route, RSL couldn't afford to play chicken.

- In order to create room on the roster for Davies, FCD shipped Aaron Pitchkolan to San Jose in exchange for a 2011 conditional draft pick. Not a bad depth pickup for San Jose considering the price.

- Seattle ousted Real Salt Lake from the U.S. Open Cup with a 4-1 qualifying win in Tukila, Wash. on Tuesday night. Sounders FC played primarily reserves, while RSL sprinkled starters and reserves in its XI.

- New England defender Emmanuel Osei is expected to receive the paperwork he needs to enter the United States from the American consulate in Accra, Ghana today. Barring any last-minute setbacks, Osei should join the Revs shortly after he receives the documentation.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSnet.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.