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MLS Columbus Crew SC

MATCH PREVIEW: Columbus Crew SC Hosts D.C. United at MAPFRE Stadium

September 29, 2017 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - Columbus Crew SC (14-12-5, 47 points) hosts D.C. United (9-17-5, 32 points) at MAPFRE Stadium tomorrow, Saturday, September 30 for its final regular-season home match of 2017. The match kicks-off at 7:30 p.m. ET and is set to be televised regionally on The CW Columbus, Spectrum Sports and BCSN2, with Neil Sika, Dwight Burgess and Marisa Contipelli on the call. Coverage on The CW Columbus begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. Exclusively on Spectrum Sports and BCSN2, "Crew SC Matchday," the pre-match show, begins at 7:00 p.m. ET, with "Crew SC Post-Match" immediately following the action. Saturday's match also airs locally on the radio on CD102.5 FM in English, featuring simulcast audio from the television broadcast. La Mega 103.1 FM has the match airing in Spanish, with Juan Valladares behind the microphone. The Spanish radio calls are also set to be streamed in Spanish on the LaMega1 App and via Tunein Radio as WVKO-FM. The club's official website, ColumbusCrewSC.com, is set to stream the English-language radio broadcast online.

The Black & Gold can clinch a berth in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs with a win at home against D.C. United on Saturday. Additional clinching scenarios are available via the MLS Game Notes Package linked above. Crew SC Season Ticket Members, 10-Match Plan holders and the general public each have the option to purchase the Pay As We Play Plan for potential Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoff matches at MAPFRE Stadium through the Eastern Conference Championship at a discounted rate from single-match pricing with the flexibility of only being charged for matches once they are guaranteed to be played.

Tomorrow's match against D.C. United marks the return of College Night to MAPFRE Stadium. Supporters with a college ID or an ".edu" email address are eligible for $15 match tickets, access to the exclusive student tailgate in the Upper 90 Lounge - which includes $2 off drink specials from 6-7 p.m. - and can receive five FREE large Papa John's Pizza coupons with group orders of 20 or more.

This is Crew SC's second and last regular-season match against D.C. United in 2017, as well as the 66th all-time regular-season meeting between the two clubs. The Black & Gold hold a firm all-time regular-season winning record of 18-7-7 against D.C. United at home since 1996, outscoring D.C. 50-26 over that span. In the previous meeting between the two clubs on March 18, Columbus defeated D.C. 2-0 at RFK Stadium with goals scored by Federico Higuain and Ola Kamara on either side of halftime.

Crew SC heads into tomorrow's match against D.C. United on a seven-match undefeated streak, dating back to a 3-1 home victory over the Chicago Fire on August 12. Over that span, the Black & Gold have posted a record of 4-0-3 and have outscored opponents 14-8. This is the longest undefeated streak for Columbus under Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter since he took over the club in 2014. The Black & Gold are also on a six-match undefeated streak at MAPFRE Stadium, dating back to a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union on July 22. In that time, Crew SC has outscored its opponents 12-5 while posting a home record of 5-0-1. In the 2017 MLS regular season, the Black & Gold have earned 35 points and hold a record of 11-3-2 at MAPFRE Stadium, the highest number of points and wins at home in the Berhalter era and the highest number of points and wins at home since 2012. A win at home on Saturday night against D.C. United would set a new Crew SC record for most regular-season victories at home in a single season with 12. Including this year, the club has secured 11 victories at home in a season five times in club history (1997, 1998, 2008, 2012 and 2017).

Crew SC is coming off a 3-2 win at home against the New York Red Bulls this past Saturday. Defender Jonathan Mensah put the hosts ahead by scoring off of a free kick taken by Federico Higuain in the sixth minute, setting the record for fastest Crew SC goal of the 2017 MLS regular season. The Red Bulls drew level with a 14th-minute goal scored by Bradley Wright-Phillips. Midfielder Justin Meram was the next beneficiary of Higuain's passing, as he put Crew SC back in the lead in the 54th minute. Josh Williams extended the Black & Gold's lead in the 66th minute with yet another assist from Higuain. The Red Bulls scored one more goal in the 72nd minute, when Gonzalo Veron converted a penalty-kick, but Williams' goal proved to be the game-winner.

Federico Higuain's three assists against the New York Red Bulls made him one of only seven Crew SC players to provide three helpers in a single match, joining Ensil Elcock (twice in 1998), Robert Warzycha (1999), Dante Washington (2002), Jeff Cunningham (2003), Sebastian Rozental (2006) and Guillermo Barros Schelotto (2008). Higuain's three helpers brought his assists total to 10 for the 2017 MLS regular season, setting a new MLS regular-season career-high and making him the assist leader for the club in 2017 regular-season action. The Argentine midfielder also leads the club in regular-season game-winning assists in 2017, having provided the helper on three game-winners, ahead of midfielders Artur and Wil Trapp, who have registered two game-winning assists each. The Black & Gold have an undefeated record of 6-0-0 in matches in 2017 in which Higuain has provided an assist.

Columbus Crew SC vs. D.C. United Saturday, September 30 - 7:30 p.m. ET - MAPFRE Stadium (Columbus, OH) Regional Television: The CW Columbus (coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET), Spectrum Sports, BCSN2 (Pre-match show "Crew SC Matchday" begins exclusively on Spectrum Sports and BCSN2 at 7:00 p.m. ET) International Television: Abu Dhabi Sports (Middle East and North Africa) and BeIN Sports (Australia, Asia) Regional Television Channel Guide: http://bit.ly/2017CrewSCBroadcast Crew SC Radio: CD102.5 FM (English); La Mega 103.1 FM (Spanish), Spanish radio broadcast also simulcast on LaMega1 App and via TuneIn Radio as WVKO-FM, English radio broadcast also simulcast on ColumbusCrewSC.com

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