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MLS Columbus Crew SC

Two-time defending champs await 9-5-4 Crew in Houston

July 29, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew will make its first of two regular-season trips to Texas this season when it travels to Houston to take on the two-time defending MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo this Saturday, Aug. 2, at Robertson Stadium. The match features two teams that are currently in second place in their respective conferences, as the Crew (9-5-4, 31 pts.) now sits just two points out of first in the Eastern Conference after its win on Sunday at Colorado, while the Dynamo (5-4-8, 23 pts.) currently finds itself just one point behind Western Conference leader Real Salt Lake. In the first meeting between the two sides this season, the Crew emerged victorious with a 1-0 decision over the Dynamo on April 26 at Crew Stadium, thanks to a goal in the 22nd minute by former Dynamo man Alejandro Moreno.

Saturday's match kicks off at 8:30 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, with Neil Sika behind the microphone, as well as in Spanish on La Que Buena 1550-AM.

Houston enters this week's match after defeating D.C. United, 2-0, last Wednesday (July 22), thanks to tallies by Brian Mullan and Brian Ching. Last Wednesday's contest between Houston and D.C. was the third time the two teams had attempted to complete the league match, which was originally scheduled for June 4. Unkind weather conditions postponed the match on its original date, which led to its rescheduling for last Tuesday (July 21). However, the match was once again postponed, albeit for one day, after extensive power outages swept through the Capital area, including the match's scheduled venue, RFK Stadium. Houston is now undefeated in its last four league matches, following its win over D.C. and ties against Salt Lake (7/3), Dallas (6/26) and Colorado (May 10).

Columbus heads into Saturday's match after defeating Colorado, 2-0, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park last Sunday (July 27). Steven Lenhart made the first start of his MLS career, scoring his third goal in six games, and then was sent off 20 minutes later after being red carded by referee Shane Moody. Despite being a man down for more than half the game, the Crew, led by goalkeeper William Hesmer, withstood the ensuing pressure from the Rapids' attack, and then sealed the game late with a classy Jason Garey finish in the 75th minute. Lenhart and defender Frankie Hejduk will each be serving a league-mandated one game suspension and will be unavailable for selection in this Saturday's match. Lenhart's suspension comes as a result of his red card vs. Colorado, while Hejduk must sit out due to yellow card accumulation.

COLUMBUS CREW at Houston Dynamo

Saturday, Aug. 2 - 8:30 p.m. (ET) at Robertson 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)

GAREY TALLIES FIRST LEAGUE GOAL OF THE SEASON

Forward Jason Garey tallied his first MLS goal of the season on Sunday (July 27) in the Crew's road win over Colorado, putting the game away late with a skillful goal in the match's late stages. But Garey has scored multiple times in other competitions this season. Garey scored just moments after coming on as a substitute in the Crew's USOC Qualifier at Chicago on June 10; tallied in both of the squad's international exhibitions in July, including the game-winner against Independiente (Argentina) on July 9 and the Crew's lone goal against West Ham United (England) on July 20; and he also leads the Crew in Reserve Division ply with four goals in seven games. Now in his third MLS season, he has seven league goals in his career.

MIGLIORANZI, EVANS EACH NOTCH FIRST ASSIST OF SEASON

Midfielders Stefani Miglioranzi and Brad Evans each notched their first assists of the season in the Crew's 2-0 victory over Colorado on Sunday (July 27). Miglioranzi was the catalyst on the Crew's first goal of the night as he found Steven Lenhart with a probing ball to the right side of the box that forced Rapids goalkeeper Bounda Coundoul to race away from goal towards the dangerous pass. Lenhart was able to get to the service first and sharply lifted the ball past Coundoul and into the back of the net for the game-winner. Evans' helper sealed the game late when his headed flick-on was controlled by a dashing Jason Garey who, despite intense defensive pressure, was able to deftly flick the ball into the net for a much-needed insurance goal.

HESMER HAS STANDOUT PERFORMANCE IN ROAD VICTORY OVER RAPIDS

Goalkeeper William Hesmer turned in one of the best performances of his young career on Sunday (July 27) in the Crew's road victory over the Colorado Rapids. Hesmer began his stellar play early when he was able to parry away a powerful Conor Casey shot in the 12th minute. The Rapids again had an opportunity in front of the goal in the 32nd minute, but Hesmer punched it out, recording another big save from close range. Hesmer came up with two more remarkable saves in the dying moments to preserve the shutout, including an Omar Cummings diving header that Hesmer acrobatically kicked aside. He finished his fifth shutout of the season with seven saves on the night.

GAVEN RETURNS TO LEAGUE ACTION FROM INJURY ABSENCE, LOGS FULL 90 MINUTES

Eddie Gaven returned to league action on Sunday (July 27) after recovering from an ankle injury that sidelined the midfielder for five games. Gaven, who suffered the ankle injury on June 10 in the Crew's USOC Qualifier at Chicago, played the full 90 minutes in the Crew's 2-0 victory over Colorado on Sunday. He made his initial return in the Crew's July 20 friendly vs. West Ham (England), in which he played the first half.

CREW AMONG MLS' BEST ON THE ROAD

The Crew boasts one of the best road records in Major League Soccer, which is now 4-3-2 (14 pts.) thanks to its road win at Colorado on Sunday (July 27). The Crew is joined at the top of the list by its stiffest Eastern Conference competition, as New England is currently 6-2-1 on the road and Chicago currently sits 4-2-3. The Crew, Fire and Revolution are also the only teams in MLS to own winning percentages over .500 on the road this season.

HEJDUK STARTS, PLAYS ALL BUT TWO MINUTES IN 2008 MLS PEPSI ALL-STAR GAME AT BMO FIELD

Crew defender Frankie Hejduk started and played 88 minutes in the MLS All-Stars' 3-2 victory over West Ham United last Thursday (July 24) in the 2008 MLS Pepsi All-Star Game at BMO Field in Toronto. A penalty kick goal from hometown hero Dwayne De Rosario in the 69th minute proved to be the difference in an exciting victory for the MLS All-Stars. After Dean Ashton gave the Hammers a 26th-minute lead, Christian Gomez equalized not a minute later, set up by a terrific backheel from Cuauhtemoc Blanco. Blanco then put the MLS All-Stars ahead with a great goal of his own just before halftime, but Ashton brought West Ham on even terms again in the 67th minute, three minutes before De Rosario's spot kick provided the victory. The All-Star selection was the sixth of Hejduk's career and fifth since becoming a member of the Crew in 2003.

Crew teammate Robbie Rogers was also named to the All-Star Starting XI, but the young midfielder was also selected to the U.S. Olympic squad, which is preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, thus Rogers was unavailable for the All-Star Game.

CREW PLAYERS AMONG LEAGUE STATISTICAL LEADERS

Several Crew players find themselves among the league statistical leaders so far in the 2008 season. 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 90 on the season. Forward Alejandro Moreno finds himself fifth 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 tied for fifth in shots on goal (25). Rogers is also tied for second 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 49, while Alejandro Moreno currently sits third with 46 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 TO VISIT CREW STADIUM AUGUST 12 & 13

The Disney Music Block Party Tour, a concert festival experience for kids and parents, will be at Crew Stadium Tuesday, Aug. 12 and Wednesday, Aug. 13. Tickets are available now at the Crew Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone (614) 431-3600. Learn more about the Disney Music Block Party Tour at www.disneymusicblockpartytour.com. Performers will include Ralph's World, Imagination Movers, Choo Choo Soul and Dan Zanes, along with special guest host Raven Symone. Activity areas will also be featured, including:

- PLAYSKOOL Play Experience Tent - From petting KOTA THE TRICERATOPS to playing shop keeper in the adorable CHERRY BLOSSOM MARKET, this amazing hands-on play environment is full of exciting new toys sure to delight kids and parents alike. The Arts 'N Crafts area will be a place for children to showcase their creativity in a sit down environment. The interactive area will feature coloring sheets, PLAY-DOH modeling compound, new CLIPO toys and NOODLEBORO games.

- NAMM's Wanna Play? Musical Instrument Area - NAMM, the not-for-profit association of the international music products industry, will sponsor an interactive "Wanna Play?" music learning area where children can participate in an organized drum circle, an instrument petting zoo with musical instruments available for children to experiment and play, plus an interactive exhibit to experience and explore the evolution of music. In NAMM's Wanna Play? area, parents can also discover how playing musical instruments helps kids learn and grow as well as have fun.

- Playhouse Disney - This area will feature games from Disney Online, a screening area where kids can watch their favorite Playhouse Disney programs, Playhouse Disney activities and coloring area, plus photo opportunity stations -- an Imagination Movers green screen section and Handy Manny character.

- Dance Party - Interactive music-based dance activities to also include contests and giveaways.

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

The Columbus Crew and RunOhio have announced that the Columbus Crew 5K will be held on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 8 a.m. at Crew Stadium. All runners will receive a free tech shirt, goody bag and a free ticket to see the Crew take on FC Dallas at home that same day 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. Early registration can be completed for $30 until Aug. 1, with the fee becoming $35 after Aug. 1, 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

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