The Crew (3-1-3, 12 pts.) hosts Seattle Sounders FC (3-2-3, 12 pts.), this Saturday, May 7, in a rematch of the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final won by Seattle. Saturday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Crew Stadium, where the Black & Gold is unbeaten in four games this season.
The match will be televised live regionally on ONN with Dwight Burgess and Duncan Oughton calling all the action and Katie Witham reporting from the sidelines. It will also be broadcast in high definition exclusively to Time Warner Cable Mid-Ohio customers in Columbus on Ch. 1311. The game can be heard in English on News/Talk 610 WTVN and on-line at TheCrew.com, with Neil Sika and John Bluem behind the microphone, and in Spanish on La Mega 103.1, with Carlos Cordova and Benny Pietrangelo on the call.
The Black & Gold is 3-0-1 at home this season and looks to continue its six-game unbeaten streak overall, coming off a 2-1 victory over the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Emilio Renteria scored both Crew goals in that game, giving him the club’s last three in a row, while midfielder Dejan Rusmir recorded his first MLS assist. Renteria was named to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week for his efforts.
After losing its first two games, Seattle was unbeaten in six heading into its match at D.C. United on Wednesday (May 4). Coached by former Crew head coach Sigi Schmid, the Sounders most recently defeated Toronto FC, 3-0, last Saturday (April 30). Ex-Crew midfielder Brad Evans led the way offensively in that game, with two goals and an assist, while longtime U.S. National Team goalkeeper Kasey Keller notched his second shutout of the season.
The Crew will be on the road for the next two weekends, traveling to San Jose on May 14 and Portland on May 21, before returning to Crew Stadium on May 28 to take on Chivas USA.
COLUMBUS CREW vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Saturday, May 7 – 7:30 p.m. (ET) – Crew Stadium
National Television: N/A; Regional Television: ONN (in HD on TWC Ch. 1311)
Crew Radio: News/Talk 610 WTVN (English); La Mega 103.1 (Spanish)
Crew Webcast: TheCrew.com (English)
CREW TO CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY THIS SATURDAY, MAY 7
In celebration of Mother’s Day weekend, the Crew is offering a number special offers and promotions to show your appreciation for that special woman in your life. The club is offering a Pepsi Mother's Day Value Pack for Saturday’s game, which includes four tickets, four Sugardale hot dogs, four popcorns, four Pepsi products an one coupon for three free tanning sessions at Tan Pro USA for as low as $22 per person. This offer is only valid with advance purchase. In addition, a select number of mothers through the gates this Saturday will receive a carnation. TICKETS
US YOUTH SOCCER TOPSOCCER FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY AT CREW STADIUM
The Crew will hold the second annual US Youth Soccer TopSoccer Festival this Saturday (May 7) at Crew Stadium. TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community‐based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, who has a mental or physical disability. Gates will open 30 minutes early for 100 participating youth players and families, who will receive Kicks for Kids tickets and Crew Soccer Foundation-sponsored t-shirts.
CREW SOCCER ACADEMY DRAWS MATCHES AGAINST SOCKERS FC, WINS AGAINST FC MILWAUKEE
Both CSA 15/16s and 17/18s returned to action last weekend after the Easter break, with a pair of matches against Sockers FC of Chicago and FC Milwaukee. The 15/16s battled to a scoreless draw against the Sockers and defeated FC Milwaukee 2-1 behind goals by Quinn Miller and Charlie Reymann. The 17/18s drew the Sockers 1-1 and beat FC Milwaukee 3-1. While the goal scored against the Sockers was an own goal, the 17/18s won the second match behind goals by Khai Celestin (2) and Brett Elder. Next the CSA teams travel to Chicago, Ill., for a pair of matches against the Chicago Fire and Chicago Magic on May 7 and 8.
WIL TRAPP AND BEN SWANSON CALLED INTO U18 AND U14 CAMPS RESPECTIVELY
Crew Soccer Academy standouts Wil Trapp and Ben Swanson have been called into their respective age group U.S. National Team camps. Trapp will leave for Portugal on May 19 and will participate in a series of matches against the Portugal, Finland and Holland U18 teams. Swanson has already joined the U.S. U14 camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., and will participate in a series of exhibitions against Chivas, Arsenal, LA Galaxy, Cosmos West, Pateadores and the Irvine Strikers.
CREW SOCCER ROCKS CONTINUES MAY 10 AND 11 IN PICKERINGTON AND CENTERVILL
Several members of the Crew will travel to Pickerington, Ohio, for a Crew Soccer Rocks clinic Tuesday, May 10, for the Pickerington Area Soccer Association at the PASA Soccer Complex (610 Hill Rd. North, Pickerington, 43147). Then on Wednesday, May 11, Crew players will hold another Crew Soccer Rocks clinic for the Centerville United Soccer Association from 6-8:45 p.m., at Oak Grove Park in Centerville. This event was rescheduled from April 12 due to inclement weather and more than 800 youth are expected to participate in the event, which will also include a post-clinic autograph signing.
DEFENDER JOSH GARDNER ON CREWXTRA THIS WEDNESDAY
CrewXtra, the weekly show on ONN Wednesdays at 8, 8:30, 11 and 11:30 p.m., will feature defender Josh Gardner this week, along with Crew TV analyst Duncan Oughton, Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch, and host Beau Bishop, as they discuss last Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the upcoming match against the Seattle Sounders FC this Saturday.
TICKETS FOR NEWCASTLE ON SALE NOW
Tickets to the Crew’s international exhibition vs. Newcastle United FC of the English Premier League on Wednesday, July 26, are now on sale. Individual advance ticket prices start at $24 and fans can find tickets at the Crew Stadium Box Office, all central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, via Ticketmaster phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at TheCrew.com. TICKETS
