MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew Weekly News & Notes

Published on August 12, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - After enjoying its first and only bye week of 2008, the Crew returns to action on Saturday (Aug. 16) when it will take on FC Dallas at Crew Stadium. The match features a Crew squad (9-6-4, 31 pts.) that finds itself in third place in the Eastern Conference after its week off, while FC Dallas (6-6-7, 25 pts.) currently sits in third place in the West race.

Saturday's match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. (ET) and will be televised live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports Español. The game can also be heard in English on News/Talk 610 WTVN and on-line at TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com, as well as in Spanish on La Que Buena 1550-AM.

Dallas enters this week's match after registering a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC on August 3, thanks to two goals by Kenny Cooper, who is currently tied with Landon Donovan (L.A.) for the league lead in goals scored with 13. The Hoops visit Crew Stadium this week riding a four-game league unbeaten streak, thanks to its aforementioned win over Toronto FC, along with a victory over Los Angeles (7/27) and draws with Colorado (7/19) and Kansas City (7/4). On Aug. 8, Dallas acquired former Crew standout Jeff Cunningham from Toronto FC. Cunningham was a member of the Black & Gold from 1998-2004 and finished his Crew career tied with Brian McBride for the most goals in team history with 62.

In its last match, on Aug. 2, the Crew suffered a 2-0 setback on the road against the Houston Dynamo. First-half goals from Brad Davis and Brian Ching sent the Crew to a halftime deficit that it could not overcome, despite finishing the match with a 12-6 advantage in shots taken.

Recently-acquired former MLS All-Star and U.S. National Teamer Pat Noonan could make his Black & Gold debut this Saturday. The Crew acquired Noonan from the New England Revolution on Aug. 6. A 28-year old midfielder/forward from Ballwin, Mo., Noonan joins the Crew after most recently playing for Aalesunds FK of the Norwegian Premier League where he made 11 appearances since signing in January. Forward Steven Lenhart will be unavailable Saturday, as he serves the second and final game of a two-game suspension for elbowing Facundo Erpen at Colorado on July 27.

The Crew and FC Dallas will play the return leg of their home-and-home series in just two weeks time, when the Crew travels to Pizza Hut Park to take on the Hoops Saturday, Aug. 30.

COLUMBUS CREW vs. FC Dallas

Saturday, Aug. 16 - 7:30 p.m. (ET) at Crew Stadium

National Television: Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports Español; Local Television: N/A

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

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

CREW TEAMMATES EKPO, ROGERS SET TO FACE-OFF IN FINAL MATCH OF OLYMPIC SOCCER GROUP PLAY

Crew midfielders Emmanuel Ekpo and Robbie Rogers will find themselves on opposing sides Wednesday morning (Aug. 13) when the United States and Nigeria face-off in their final match of Olympic soccer group play. The U.S. currently sits at 1-0-1 in Group B, thanks to an opening 1-0 win against Japan and an impressive 2-2 draw with the Netherlands. Nigeria also enters the match at 1-0-1 in Group B, thanks an opening 0-0 draw with the Netherlands and a 2-1 victory over Japan. Rogers has started both matches for the U.S. side to date, while Ekpo has contributed as a substitute in both of Nigeria's matches. The U.S. currently sits atop Group B and would advance to the medal round quarterfinals with a tie or win over Nigeria. Nigeria currently sits in second in Group B and would advance to the quarterfinals with a win over the U.S. If the U.S. and Nigeria tie, Nigeria must await the result of the Netherlands' match with Japan and rely on goal differential to decide whether it will advance for a shot at an Olympic medal.

SECOND ANNUAL CREW 5K SET FOR THIS SATURDAY, AUG. 16, AT CREW STADIUM

The Columbus Crew and RunOhio will conduct the second annual Columbus Crew 5K this Saturday, Aug. 16, at 8 a.m. at Crew Stadium. All runners will receive a free tech shirt, goody bag and ticket to see the Crew take on FC Dallas at home that evening at 7:30 p.m. The Crew 5K Run/Walk course will wind around Columbus Crew Stadium, the Ohio Historical Society and some of the nearby fairground areas, with the finish taking place inside Crew Stadium at midfield. Following the race, there will be music, food, games, Crew players, Crew Cat and the Crewzers on the Crew Kicker Plaza. Registration can still be completed for $35 leading up to the race and $40 on Race Day. Registration for the 1 Mile Kids' Run, which starts at 9:15 a.m., can be completed for $17, and includes a ticket to that evening's Crew game. Register online at: http://www.signmeup.com/60548 or click here to print a registration form. Prizes for top Crew 5K finishers include on-field recognition during pre-game, game tickets to future Crew games, team-autographed items and more. Race entries, registration, shirts and goodie bags can be picked up at the Columbus Running Company (6465 Perimeter Dr. Dublin, OH 43016) from Saturday, Aug. 9, through Friday, Aug. 15 during store hours. Race Day packet pickup and Race Day registration begins at the stadium at 6:30 am. For more information visit TheCrew.com.

CREW SOCCER FOUNDATION, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE TEAM UP FOR ‘AN EVENING OF SOCCER & SPIRTIS'

The Crew's charitable arm, the Crew Soccer Foundation, and Saks Fifth Avenue will host "An Evening of Soccer & Spirits," a scotch and wine tasting event on Thursday, Sept. 4, in the Men's Department of the Saks Fifth Avenue location at Polaris Fashion Place (1350 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240). Columbus Crew players and staff will be in attendance at the fine scotch and wine tasting, while displaying the latest in fashion apparel from Saks Fifth Avenue. The tasting will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. and will also include hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are available for $35 a person, with all proceeds supporting Crew Soccer Foundation programming for Central Ohio youth and families. For more information, please contact Robin Ungerleider at (614) 447-4175 or rungerleider@thecrew.com.

ANNUAL CREW SOCCER FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC HELD MONDAY AT WEDGEWOOD

The Annual Crew Soccer Foundation Golf Classic, benefiting The Buckeye Ranch, was held on Monday (Aug. 11) at Wedgewood Golf and Country Club. Since 1961, The Buckeye Ranch has offered hope to countless children and families who have struggled with emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues. The Ranch is a recognized leader in providing mental health services and has eight locations throughout central Ohio and Hamilton County. Every day, more than 1,800 children and families benefit from the Ranch's many programs and treatment services. The Crew Soccer Foundation is the Crew's charitable arm, dedicated to giving back to the community that supports Ohio's Major League Soccer club, by serving as a catalyst for community investment and development. Leveraging the club's unique status as the state's - and region's - acknowledged soccer leader, the CSF works to advance the sport at all levels and enrich the overall quality of life in central Ohio and beyond, with an emphasis on developing the potential of our area's young people.

CREW PLAYERS AMONG LEAGUE STATISTICAL LEADERS

Several Crew players still find themselves among the league statistical leaders despite enjoying a bye week last week. Midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto is enjoying a standout 2008 season, as he currently leads the league in assists with 10 and also leads MLS in corner kicks by a wide margin with 92 on the season. Forward Alejandro Moreno finds himself seventh in MLS in goals scored, with seven, and despite being away on U.S. Olympic duty, midfielder Robbie Rogers still ranks among the league's best in several categories, as he currently sits third in shots (52) and is sixth in shots on goal (25). Rogers is also tied for third in MLS in multi-goal games, with two on the season.

CREW FEATURES THREE OF THE LEAGUE'S FOUR MOST-FOULED PLAYERS

The Crew's roster features three of the four most-fouled players in Major League Soccer - Guillermo Barros Schelotto currently sits second with 50, while Alejandro Moreno currently sits third with 48 fouls suffered. U.S. Olympian Robbie Rogers is currently away from MLS action but the young midfielder still currently ranks fourth in fouls suffered, with 43 this season.

DISNEY MUSIC BLOCK PARTY TOUR VISIT TO CREW STADIUM CANCELLED

The Disney Music Block Party Tour, originally scheduled to appear at Crew Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 12-13, has been cancelled by Disney due to unforeseen circumstances. Ticket refunds are currently available at the original point of purchase.

DOLLAR THRIFTY ENTERS INTO SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM TO BENEFIT SPORTS COMMISSION

The Dollar Thrifty Auto Group is purchasing 100 specialty license plates that feature the Columbus Crew logo in a unique partnership program that will ultimately benefit the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. The specialty license plates cost $35 in addition to the standard license plate renewal fees, with $25 going to the Sports Commission. Thrifty's purchase of the 100 license plates will result in $2,500 for the Sports Commission. Crew specialty license plates have been available since 2004 - after more than 1,000 fans signed petitions in support of the specialized plates - with proceeds benefiting the Sports Commission's effort to attract collegiate, amateur and youth sporting events to Columbus. The specialty plates are available at any Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles office or at www.oplates.com. Registration forms can also be obtained by calling 888-752-8373. The Crew plates are available to drivers of passenger vehicles, noncommercial trucks, motor homes and noncommercial trailers. The Crew is among five professional sports teams in Ohio for which specialized license plates are available. The Ohio Legislature passed a bill in 1998 that authorized the sales of specialty license plates featuring professional sports teams if a portion of the proceeds went to attracting sporting events to Ohio.

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