CARSON, Calif. -- Gino Padula doesn't see Sunday's MLS Cup against New York as a chance for payback on the one blemish to his season.
The Argentinean defender, signed by the Crew on March 24, struggled through early injuries to appear in 17 regular and postseason matches. The Crew are 13-1-3 when he plays -- with the lone setback coming Oct. 18 at Giants Stadium.
In that match, the first for the Crew after clinching the Supporters' Shield, Padula was one of only six regulars to start. The Red Bulls won 3-1.
"No revenge because we won the Supporters' Shield," Padula said of the impending rematch. "They're a very difficult team. When they play at home they have the advantage because of the turf."
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SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Padula, 31, has filled a need at left back with his club experience beginning with River Plate in his homeland. He also spent some time in Spain and seven years in England.
"He's been that rock for us defensively," right back Frankie Hejduk said. "We have an understanding that when I go forward he stays and when he goes forward I stay. Sometimes on teams you see both backs flying forward and it unbalances the team.
"He knows when to go forward, when to go back and vice versa for myself. It's good to have a natural left footer out there. He's calm. He's collected and he's experienced."
Coach Sigi Schmid credits the acquisition of holding midfielder Brian Carroll and Padula for filling the final pieces that helped the Crew go from a perennial non-playoff team to the best record in MLS this season.
"Gino helps us because he's a passing fullback where Frankie's a running, active up and down the line fullback," Schmid said. "Gino is a fullback who positionally is very stable and he's a very good passer of the ball. Left fullback and defensive midfield were the two positions we were searching for the longest when I came to Columbus and to be able to add Brian Carroll and Gino and really stabilize those positions were very important."
The Crew had the third stingiest defense this season and goalkeeper William Hesmer tied a club record with 10 shutouts.
"Gino, and you have to throw Brian Carroll in there as well, made us a really strong, solid team," he said. "Granted you had the emergence of Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven this year in playing their roles and stepping up their games, not to mention Chad Marshall.
"Gino has been a tremendous leader on the backline for us. Not only is he a tremendous tackler and good positionally but he's a strong communicator and helps us get organized."
Padula will be a factor in trying to stop the New York counterattack that has proven to be so effective in playoff wins against Houston and Real Salt Lake.
"We know they are a very good team. We have already seen that but we have to stay the same way we've played all season," Padula said. "They will run at us so it is important I am in position to stop them if I can, but we have to do it as a team."
He's made a quick adjustment to the league but figuring out the playoff system is another story.
"It's very strange. I think if we won the Supporters' Shield we don't have to play the playoffs until maybe the finals. But here it's very, very difficult," he said. "New York finished eighth and they play in another conference. This is quite a change for me. This is the league and we have to accept that."
Padula thinks the top team should get added benefits.
"If you have a very good season and win the Supporters' Shield you should at least go straight and play the final for the conference or the MLS Cup," he said. "I hope the league can change some rules. It's very important because after 30 games you are the best but you have the same chance as a team that was 10, 20 points behind you."
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