MLS Columbus Crew SC

Match Preview: Crew Turns Attention to Toronto FC this Saturday with Heavy Hearts

Published on August 8, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Crew returns to the pitch this Saturday, August 11, to face Toronto FC in the second match of the Trillium Cup series. The Black & Gold will take the field with heavy hearts following the recent, tragic passing of midfielder Kirk Urso this past weekend. The Crew is planning to honor Urso's memory at the match and details will be announced soon.

Saturday's game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and be televised live regionally in high definition on FOX Sports Ohio, with Dwight Burgess and Duncan Oughton calling all the action and Ashleigh Ignelzi reporting from the sidelines. The game can also be heard in English on News/Talk 610 WTVN and on-line at TheCrew.com with Neil Sika and John Bluem on the call, and in Spanish on La Mega 103.1, with Carlos Cordova and Benny Pietrangelo behind the microphones.

The match is presented by Ohio Health and the first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a "Dare to be Massive" rally towel (while supplies last) courtesy of the Official Healthcare Provider of the Columbus Crew.

This is the second of three meetings between the clubs with the Crew taking the first match of the season 1-0 at BMO Field last March 31, behind a goal by Bernardo Anor. Toronto FC (5-13-4, 19 pts.) went through many changes since facing the Crew at the beginning of the season. Former England International Paul Mariner replaced Aron Winter as head coach on June 7. In addition, TFC parted ways with Designated Player Julian de Guzman, trading the midfielder to FC Dallas in exchange for 22-year-old forward Andrew Wiedeman in mid-July. Toronto also acquired Designated Player Eric Hassli from Vancouver to replace Danny Koevermans who suffered a season ending injury on July 14, and Irish center back Darren O'Dea, who was a part of Ireland's Euro 2012 roster.

The Crew (8-8-4, 28 pts.) enters the match following a 1-0 loss at D.C. United last Saturday, August 4. The Black & Gold was led by another outstanding performance from goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum. The difference came in the 49th minute when United forward Chris Pontius buried a loose ball in front of net to provide the advantage for D.C.

The Black & Gold owns the all-time series against Toronto with a 6-1-7 record and won the Trillium Cup in its first three seasons, from 2008-10.

The Crew will only have a four-day turnaround before it has to return to the field as it hosts the L.A. Galaxy on Wednesday, August 15, at 7 p.m. in a match that will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network.

COLUMBUS CREW vs. Toronto FC

Saturday, August 11 - 7:30 p.m. (ET) - Crew Stadium

Regional Television: FOX Sports Ohio

Crew Radio: News/Talk 610 WTVN (English); La Mega 103.1 (Spanish)

Crew Webcast: TheCrew.com (English)

Check out the Columbus Crew SC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 8, 2012


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