MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew SC Looking for Team Effort Against Kaka's Lions

Published on April 17, 2015 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


When Columbus Crew SC welcomes Orlando City SC at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, two of Major League Soccer's strongest passing teams will face off.

Of the League's top 10 most accurate passers, seven are members of Crew SC or Orlando, as both teams rank in the top three in passing accuracy.

For Crew SC, defender Waylon Francis (95.1%), midfielder Mohammed Saeid (88.3%) and midfielder Wil Trapp (87.7%) all rank in the League's top 10 in passing accuracy. Orlando City's Eric Avila (90.4%), Darwin Ceren (89.6%), Cristian Higuita (88.1%) and Amobi Okugo (87.7%) also are among the top 10.

One of the players who, maybe somewhat surprisingly, is not on that list is Orlando City's Brazilian playmaker Kaka. The former Fifa World Player of the Year pulls the strings in the Lions' midfield and is the visitors' leading scorer with three goals.

It will take a team effort to defend against Orlando City's star player, says Crew SC center back Emanuel Pogatetz.

"We have to limit spaces," the Austrian says. "I think if we do it like we did in the last couple of games we will be alright. I think we looked pretty decent defensively because everyone was working back and working hard for the team. If we can keep that spirit up we will be alright."

Pogatetz' partner in central defense, captain Michael Parkhurst, says defending a player like Kaka is all about awareness.

"You can't give players like him space on the ball because they always play the right pass, they find the right ball and they have guys running for them," he says. "The backline and the defensive midfielders have to be aware of where he is."

Kaka and the Lions are off to a 2-2-2 start and rank third in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the Black & Gold. They have proven more effective on the road, having earned both wins away from home in Houston (1-0) and Portland (2-0).

Given the opportunity to draw even in points with the visitors, both Pogatetz and Parkhurst are clear about what they want to get out of Saturday's affair at MAPFRE Stadium.

"Home games are very important. If you want to push up the table you have to win your home games," Pogatetz says. "To get a draw away from home, like we did in the last two games, was ok, but then at home we really have to go for it and get the three points."

Parkhurst agrees.

"We want to pick up some points and there's no better place to do it than at home in front of our own fans," he says.

Crew SC and Orlando City SC kick-off at MAPFRE Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Get your tickets here or catch the action on Time Warner Cable's SportsChannel, CD 102.5 or La Mega 103.1.

Also don't miss this weekend's national broadcasts as the Philadelphia Union welcome the New England Revolution (ESPN2, 5 p.m. ET) and New York City FC hosts the Portland Timbers (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m. ET).

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 17, 2015


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