MLS Columbus Crew SC

Match Preview: Crew Faces D.C. United at Fedexfield Saturday

Published on June 6, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - The Columbus Crew (4-5-5, 17 points) completes a stretch of three matches in eight days and plays its final regular-season match before the 2014 FIFA World Cup break when the club travels to face D.C. United (6-4-3, 21 points) at FedExField on Saturday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET. The meeting is the second contest of a double-header in the Road to Brazil series held this weekend, with the Crew-United match following the test between Spain and El Salvador. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel is televising the Crew game, with Dwight Burgess and Chris Doran on the call. Neil Sika is set to describe the action for 95.5 The Game, with Carlos Cordova and Juan Valladares behind the microphone for La Mega 103.1 FM.

Saturday's match at FedExField is the third and final meeting between the Crew and D.C. United following the 1-1 draw on April 19. The Black & Gold also earned a 3-0 win at United on March 8. The Crew swept the regular-season series 2-0-0 in 2013. It's the 59th regular-season meeting in the all-time season series between the two teams dating back to 1996, and D.C. holds a slight 25-24-9 overall advantage. The tilt at FedExField is just the fourth-ever venue for a regular-season meeting between the two sides since 1996, joining Ohio Stadium, RFK Stadium and Columbus Crew Stadium.

Since the start of the 2009, the Crew has secured points in seven of the eight meetings between the Crew and United in which the Black & Gold have scored first. Overall, the Black & Gold are 7-4-2 in the last five seasons against United. The Crew has had success when scoring first against United, but a Black-and-Red goal to open the scoring doesn't necessarily mean a win for D.C. Hector Jimenez's 90th-minute goal gave the Crew a crucial point at home and secured the second batch of late-game Crew magic of 2014 when the teams last met on April 14.

Midfielder Ethan Finlay has recorded a goal or an assist in four consecutive matches dating back to May 17 at Portland. Finlay, who scored the 88th-minute equalizer on Wednesday night in the 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake, was assisted by Ben Speas. Speas has added an assist in two consecutive matches, both in which he came on as a substitute.

Earlier today, the Crew acquired midfielder Alvaro Rey from Toronto FC in exchange for forward Dominic Oduro. Rey made 20 appearances - including 15 starts - for Toronto FC, beginning his MLS career in a substitute appearance against the Crew on July 27, 2013. In his time in Toronto, he recorded one goal and added one assist in League action. He also made three appearances in the Amway Canadian Championship in 2014. Prior to joining the Reds, the 24-year-old Rey spent 2012-2013 at Spanish side Xerez and scored three goals in 28 appearances. His professional career began at Gimnàstic de Tarragona, also in Spain. In two seasons with his first club, the winger made 54 appearances and recorded one tally.

Columbus Crew at D.C. United

Saturday, June 7 - 6:30 p.m. ET - FedExField (Landover, Maryland)

Regional Television: Time Warner Cable SportsChannel

Crew Radio: 95.5 The Game (English); La Mega 103.1 (Spanish)

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