MLS Columbus Crew SC

Match Preview: Columbus Crew Sc Hosts Opening Match Tomorrow

Published on March 11, 2016 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - Columbus Crew SC hosts the Philadelphia Union for Opening Match presented by MAPFRE Insurance tomorrow, March 12. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and is set to be televised regionally on both The CW Columbus and Time Warner SportsChannel, with Neil Sika and Dwight Burgess on the call. Marisa Contipelli, who will serve as sideline reporter for select matches this year, joins Sika and Burgess on this Saturday's broadcast. This match marks the debut of Crew SC's new hybrid television partnership with the match set to be broadcast on both The CW Columbus and Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. Coverage on The CW Columbus begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. Exclusively on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, "Crew SC Matchday," the pre-match show hosted by Contipelli and Chris Doran, begins at 7:00 p.m. ET, with "Crew SC Post-Match" immediately following the action. Complete 2016 Columbus Crew SC regional television broadcast talent information is available below. Tomorrow'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 club's official website, ColumbusCrewSC.com, is set to stream the English-language radio broadcast online.

Crew SC supporters attending the match can also enjoy the first "1/2 Price Night" in MAPFRE Stadium history. Through the 15th minute of the match, at all permanent concession locations, popcorn, bratwursts, Pepsi products, and select Budweiser products (for supporters 21-and-over) will be half-price. New for 2016, gates to the plaza on the south end of MAPFRE Stadium open 90 minutes prior to kickoff, with sections opening for access to seating beginning 60 minutes prior to kickoff. The first 10,000 supporters through the gates this Saturday receive a 2016 Crew SC Magnet Schedule presented by MAPFRE Insurance.

Saturday's match is the second 2016 Major League Soccer regular-season contest for the Black & Gold as well as their first of the year at MAPFRE Stadium. This is set to be the 16th all-time meeting between Columbus and Philadelphia. Crew SC holds a 10-4-1 record against the Union, including an unbeaten 6-0-1 mark at home. In 2015, the Black & Gold went 2-1-0 against Philadelphia, winning the clubs' only meeting in Central Ohio.

Crew SC enters this Opening Match presented by MAPFRE Insurance unbeaten in its last 11 home openers, holding a record of 6-0-5 in all such matches dating back to 2005. Crew SC has won each of its past two home openers, including a victory over Philadelphia in Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter's MAPFRE Stadium debut on March 22, 2014.

Last week in Portland, Federico Higuain's bicycle-kick goal in the 68th minute was his 36th all-time regular-season tally for Crew SC. The goal broke a tie with Eddie Gaven to move the Argentine into fifth place all-time in Black & Gold goal-scoring history. The tally was nominated for the AT&T MLS Goal of the Week. Additionally, by registering a match-high seven shots, Higuain's career Crew SC total increased to 271, moving him into fifth place in club history in that category as well, passing Edson Buddle.

Goalkeeper Steve Clark made his 69th career regular-season start for Crew SC last week (all consecutive), passing Mark Dougherty to move into fourth place all-time in career Black & Gold goalkeeper starts. Clark is 10 starts shy of tying Andy Gruenebaum for third all-time in Crew SC history.

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