MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew looks to defend Trillium Cup title Saturday as it hosts Toronto FC at Crew Stadium

Published on July 21, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - After defeating Real Salt Lake last Saturday (July 18) to extend its current regular season home unbeaten streak to a MLS record-tying 18 games (20 with playoffs), the Crew welcomes Toronto FC to town this Saturday (July 25) in the decisive match of the 2009 Trillium Cup competition, as both clubs continue to battle for position in the crowded Eastern Conference standings.

The Trillium Cup, which refers to the official flower of the province of Ontario and official wildflower of the State of Ohio, is awarded annually to the winner of the season series between the geographic rivals. The Crew won the inaugural competition last season, going unbeaten in three games against the Reds (1-0-2). The two teams have played twice to-date in 2009 - March 28 in Columbus and May 2 in Toronto - with each match ending in a 1-1 draw, setting up Saturday's title-deciding match-up.

Saturday's match, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m., will be televised live regionally on ONN-TV with Dwight Burgess and Bill McDermott on the call and Katie Witham providing sideline coverage. The match can also be heard in English on News/Talk 610 WTVN and on-line at TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com, with Neil Sika and John Bluem behind the microphone as well as in Spanish on La Que Buena 1550-AM with Carlos Cordova and Benny Pietrangelo calling the action.

Toronto FC, which sits in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 7-6-5 record (26 pts.), enters the match after drawing with the Houston Dynamo, 1-1, last Saturday (July 18) at BMO Field. The Reds drew first blood when Dwayne De Rosario converted on a scoring chance in the 37th minute and held Houston without a shot on goal until well into the second half, but the resilient Dynamo capitalized on one of their few chances when Bobby Boswell knocked in his own rebound in the 75th minute. TFC is 3-1-1 in its last five MLS matches, and it has been paced this season by the midfield due of De Rosario and Amado Guevara. De Rosario leads the club with six goals this season, along with three assists, while Guevara sits second in goals scored with five, while also tallying a team-leading four assists.

The Crew, which sits tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with D.C. United with a 6-3-9 record (27 pts.), enters Saturday's match after securing a 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake last Saturday (July 18) at Crew Stadium. Forward Steven Lenhart opened the scoring for the Black & Gold in the 23rd minute after blasting home a loose ball in the Salt Lake penalty area, and was followed by fellow attacker Jason Garey, who poked home a loose ball of his own less than 10 minutes later for the eventual gamewinner. Garey then capped his night with his second tally of the evening off a beautiful sequence just minutes after the halftime restart. Garey began the play by sprinting up field after laying the ball back to Duncan Oughton at midfield. Oughton fed the ball down the right channel to Lenhart, who was surrounded by three RSL players but put a one-touch heel pass square to Garey, who calmly dribbled into the penalty box and slotted a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Nick Rimando. RSL earned a consolation goal from Raphael Cox in the match's late stages, but that would be all the visitors could muster on the evening. The Crew was without reigning MLS MVP and 2009 MLS First XI selection Guillermo Barros Schelotto, forward Alejandro Moreno, 2009 MLS First XI selection Chad Marshall and midfielder Robbie Rogers in the match. Schelotto and Moreno missed the match due to hamstring and groin injuries, respectively, while Marshall and Rogers are currently away with U.S. Men's National Team as it competes in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

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