MLS Columbus Crew SC

Match Preview: Crew Hosts Philadelphia Union in Regular-Season Finale

Published on October 25, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - The MLS Cup Playoff-bound Columbus Crew (13-10-10, 49 points) concludes the 2014 regular season with a contest against the Philadelphia Union (10-11-12, 42 points) at Crew Stadium on Sunday, October 26 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel is televising the game, with Dwight Burgess, Chris Doran and Ashleigh Ignelzi on the call. The match is also available nationally on UniMas. Neil Sika is set to describe the action for 107.1 FM, with Juan Valladares behind the microphone for La Mega 103.1 FM.

With the current amount of tickets sold for Sunday's match against Philadelphia, the Crew is set to break the all-time club record for total attendance in a single year at Crew Stadium. The previous record attendance for Major League Soccer matches in Crew Stadium was 283,129 in the stadium's first year in 1999. Including tickets sold for this Sunday's encounter, the Crew is currently projecting total end-of-year attendance of at least 284,000, which will set a new record.

The regular-season home finale, FANdemonium at Crew Stadium is also a celebration of supporter loyalty. Prizes and giveaways are set to be distributed throughout the match courtesy of: Papa John's Pizza, Chipotle, Homage, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, Car2Go, Koorsen Fire & Security, Kroger, ReVision LASIK and Cataract Surgery Centers, Roosters, White Castle, OhioHealth, Scotts and Heartland Bank.

Following the match, the Crew is also set to announce its 2014 team award winners. Among the honors that will be awarded: Barbasol MVP, Budweiser Golden Boot, Defender of the Year, OhioHealth Humanitarian of the Year and the Kirk Urso Heart Award. The awards are set to take place following the final whistle, and members of the media are encouraged to make their way down to the sideline near midfield for photo opportunities.

Sunday's clash at Crew Stadium is the third and final regular-season meeting between the Crew and Union this season, as well as Philadelphia's second trip to Columbus in 2014. The Crew has won both of the meetings thus far this year, including a 3-2 final on October 11 at PPL Park following a club record three goals in four minutes. On March 22, the Black & Gold beat the Union in the Crew Stadium home opener by a 2-1 final. All-time, the Crew has a record of 7-3-1 against the Union.

Having already clinched a 2014 MLS Cup Playoff berth, Columbus currently sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, level on points with third-place Sporting Kansas City and two points ahead of fifth-place New York. The Black & Gold can finish anywhere between third and fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, depending on their result Sunday and the result of Sunday night's Sporting KC-New York match. If the Crew wins or ties against the Union, it is guaranteed at least the fourth spot in the East.

Ethan Finlay was signed to a contract extension earlier this week by the Black & Gold. Finlay has broken out this season to the tune of 11 goals and seven assists. Since his first career goal on May 17, the winger is tied for seventh in League goal scoring. Finlay has averaged a goal from the run of play every 166 minutes - or just under two full matches - trailing only Seattle's Clint Dempsey and the LA Galaxy's Gyasi Zardes in that category.

Philadelphia Union at Columbus Crew

Sunday, October 26 - 4:00 p.m. ET - Columbus Crew Stadium

Regional Television: Time Warner Cable SportsChannel

National Television: UniMas

Crew Radio: 107.1 FM (English); La Mega 103.1 (Spanish)

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 25, 2014


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