MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew News & Notes

Published on May 26, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - After enjoying the weekend off, the Columbus Crew now prepares for a busy, two-match week against Western Conference opponents, as it hosts San Jose Wednesday in a rare midweek affair, then travels to Seattle to take on the expansion Sounders FC Saturday in the first-ever match between the two clubs.

Wednesday's home match will be the first Bob Evans Buck-a-Brat Night of the season, when juicy, full-size Bob Evans bratwurst will be sold throughout Crew Stadium for just $1 each.

Wednesday's match, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET, will be televised live regionally on ONN-TV, with Dwight Burgess and Bill McDermott calling all the action 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 on the call.

San Jose enters the match after falling at Houston, 3-1, last Saturday (May 23) at Robertson Stadium. Houston jumped out to a two-goal lead in the match's first 12 minutes, thanks to goals by Brian Ching and Kei Kamara. Defender Craig Waibel then extended the Dynamo's lead with a tally in the 50th minute. Forward Ryan Johnson struck for the ‘Quakes just three minutes later, for San Jose's only goal of the match, sending the visiting side away with its fourth consecutive MLS loss. San Jose, which currently sits in eighth place in the Western Conference, has been paced this season by forwards Johnson and Arturo Alvarez. Johnson currently leads the ‘Quakes in scoring with four goals this season, while Alvarez is second on the team in goals, with two, to go along with one assist.

Saturday's match, which kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET, will be televised live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel with Max Bretos and Christopher Sullivan calling all the action. The match can also be heard in English on News/Talk 610 WTVN, and on-line at TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com, with Dwight Burgess behind the microphone, as well as in Spanish on La Que Buena 1550-AM.

Seattle enters the match after drawing with Colorado, 2-2, last Saturday (May 23) at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Forward Fredy Montero put Seattle ahead early with his tally in the 17th minute, but Colorado responded with the match's next two goals, thanks to Colin Clark's score less than 10 minutes later and Conor Casey's tally minutes after the halftime restart. Seattle would get the match equalizer in the 76th minute thanks to Nate Jaqua, sending both sides away with a point apiece. With last Saturday's draw, Seattle has now tied in each of its last four MLS matches. Prior to taking on the Crew at home this weekend, Seattle will once again face Colorado, this time in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match, tonight at 10 p.m. ET in Tukwila, Wash.

Saturday's MLS match features several interesting storylines, as the Crew takes on Seattle for the first time in the history of the two clubs. In addition, Saturday will be the first time the Black & Gold will take on former head coach Sigi Schmid, midfielder Ezra Hendrickson and midfielder Brad Evans, all of whom helped the Crew to its first-ever MLS Cup championship, as well as its second MLS Supporters Shield, in 2008. Schmid departed the Crew for expansion side Seattle during the offseason, while Evans was selected by Sounders FC in the 2008 MLS Expansion Draft and Hendrickson retired and joined Schmid's staff.

The Crew enters its slate of matches this week after having Memorial Day weekend off. In its last match, the Crew drew with Los Angeles, 1-1, on Sunday, May 17, at The Home Depot Center, giving it a win and four draws in its last five games. Reigning MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto provided the Crew's lone goal in the 70th minute thanks to a spectacular individual effort. Schelotto raced into the Galaxy's defensive third and stripped Galaxy defender Tony Sanneh, before unleashing a low shot past goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts into the left corner of the net to give the Crew the lead.

The Crew fell on hard luck in the 89th minute when defender Danny O'Rourke was issued a second yellow card caution after a hard tackle on L.A.'s Landon Donovan and was subsequently sent off with an automatic red card. L.A. continued to pressure hard in the match's final moments and two minutes into stoppage time, a clearance by the Crew defense fell directly to Galaxy defender Eddie Lewis who loosed a long volleyed shot into the side netting for the equalizing goal, sending both sides away from the match with a point apiece. The Crew was once again without starting goalkeeper William Hesmer. Hesmer has missed the Crew's last four MLS contests with knee and back injuries. O'Rourke will be unavailable for Wednesday's match against San Jose due to an automatic, one-game red card suspension.

COLUMBUS CREW vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Wednesday, May 27 - 7:30 p.m. (ET) at Crew Stadium

National Television: N/A; Regional Television: ONN-TV

Crew Radio: News/Talk 610 WTVN (English); La Que Buena 1550-AM (Spanish)

Crew Webcasts: TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com (English)

COLUMBUS CREW at Seattle Sounders FC

Saturday, May 30 - 10:30 p.m. (ET) at Qwest Field

National Television: Fox Soccer Channel; Regional Television: N/A

Crew Radio: News/Talk 610 WTVN (English); La Que Buena 1550-AM (Spanish)

Crew Webcasts: TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com (English)

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