MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew SC Hosts Toronto FC in Opening Match at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday

Published on March 13, 2015 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - Columbus Crew SC continues its 20th Major League Soccer season with the Opening Match at MAPFRE Stadium against Toronto FC tomorrow, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel is televising the game, with Dwight Burgess, Neil Sika and Ashleigh Ignelzi on the call. Additionally, "Crew SC Matchday" with host Chris Doran airs on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel at 7:00 p.m. ET. The match is being broadcast with simulcast audio on CD102.5 FM, and Juan Valladares is set to be behind the microphone for La Mega 103.1 FM.

Supporters in Columbus will be able to enjoy the new food and beverage offerings at MAPFRE Stadium for the match, including local favorites such as Schmidt's Sausage Haus, Jeni's Ice Cream and Hot Chicken Takeover in addition to Four String Brewery, Columbus Brewery, Land-Grant Brewing and Elevator Brewery. Additionally, representatives from MAPFRE Insurance will be recognized on the pitch pre-match. At halftime, a special ceremony will be held to honor all 20-year Crew SC Season Ticket Members.

The match is set to be the 250th all-time MLS regular-season contest played at MAPFRE Stadium by the Black & Gold. The venue opened on May 15, 1999 with Columbus defeating New England by a 2-0 score. Over the 16 seasons of its existence, Crew SC has gone 126-65-58 at MAPFRE Stadium, scoring 380 goals while allowing 267 for a differential of +113.

The Black & Gold begin the eighth-annual Trillium Cup rivalry series with this match against Toronto FC. The two teams have battled for the rivalry cup during each season since the Reds' entry into MLS in 2008. Crew SC has earned the Trillium Cup five of the previous seven seasons, but Toronto FC captured it last year after winning all three meetings between the sides. All-time, Columbus is 10-5-7 against Toronto FC, with a mark of 7-3-2 at MAPFRE Stadium.

This match pits the two League leaders in shots against one another, as Crew SC's Kei Kamara and Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco each registered six shots in their clubs' respective openers last weekend. Kamara's three shots on goal against Houston tie him for second in MLS in that category, one behind Portland's Rodney Wallace for the League lead. At BBVA Compass Stadium, Kamara made his first appearance for Columbus since coming on as a second-half substitute on October 6, 2007 at MAPFRE Stadium against FC Dallas.

Columbus Crew SC vs. Toronto FC

Saturday, March 14 - 7:30 p.m. ET - MAPFRE Stadium

Regional Television: Time Warner Cable SportsChannel

Crew SC Radio: CD102.5 FM (English); La Mega 103.1 (Spanish)

Check out the Columbus Crew SC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 13, 2015


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