The Columbus Crew (2-1-0, 6 pts.) returns to Crew Stadium this Saturday, April 7, to host the Eastern Conference-rival New York Red Bulls (2-2-0, 6 pts.). The Black & Gold looks to continue its positive streak after defeating Toronto FC, 1-0, at BMO Field last Saturday (March 31), behind a goal from Bernardo Anor.
Saturday’s match will kick off at 3 p.m. and be televised live regionally in high definition on FOX Sports Ohio, with Dwight Burgess and Duncan Oughton calling all the action and Ashleigh Ignelzi reporting from the sidelines. Enhancing the broadcast will be FSOhio’s use of the network’s telestrator for Oughton to analyze and explain key plays and events. The match will also be broadcast nationally in Spanish on Galavision.
The game can also be heard in English on News/Talk 610 WTVN and on-line at TheCrew.com with Neil Sika and John Bluem on the call, and in Spanish on La Mega 103.1, with Carlos Cordova and Benny Pietrangelo behind the microphones.
It will be the first of two meetings between the Crew and Red Bulls and the Black & Gold owns an all-time record of 28-23-8 record in all competitions, including a 3-1 win in MLS Cup 2008. In 2011 the teams drew both games, with a 0-0 tie at Crew Stadium on March 26 and a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena on June 4, in which Justin Meram set up Rich Balchan for the equalizing goal in stoppage time.
After opening the season with back-to-back road losses at the hands of FC Dallas (2-1 on March 11) and Real Salt Lake (2-0 on March 17), the Red Bulls have responded with consecutive home wins against Colorado (4-1 on March 21) and Montreal (5-2 on March 31). French icon Thierry Henry has tallied five goals and two assists in the two victories to earn himself consecutive MLS Player of the Week honors and an early lead in the MLS Golden Boot race.
The Red Bulls will also be able to count on MLS veteran Kenny Cooper, who has four goals on the season, as well as Mexican stalwart Rafa Marquez who has been instrumental in shoring up the midfield.
Next, the Crew continues its run at Eastern Conference rivals when it travels to Philadelphia to face the Union on Saturday, April 14, in a match that will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network.
COLUMBUS CREW vs. New York Red Bulls
Saturday, April 7 – 3 p.m. (ET) – Crew Stadium
National Television: Galavision
Regional Television: FOX Sports Ohio
Crew Radio: News/Talk 610 WTVN (English); La Mega 103.1 (Spanish)
Crew Webcast: TheCrew.com (English)
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MLS RESERVE LEAGUE CONTINUES THIS SATURDAY
The Crew continues its defense of the MLS Reserve League East Division title when it hosts the New York Red Bulls this Saturday, April 7, at Crew Stadium. The match will kick off immediately after the regular-season contest (approximately 5:30 p.m.). The Black & Gold Reserves look to build upon their 1-0 victory at Toronto FC on Saturday (March 31), in which rookie midfielder Ethan Finlay tallied the game-winner. Last season, the Crew won both matches against the Red Bulls Reserves, a 6-1 victory on May 30 in New York and a 3-0 win at Crew stadium on Oct. 10.
CSA STANDOUT WIL TRAPP CALLED INTO U.S UNDER-20 NATIONAL TEAM CAMP
University of Akron midfielder and Crew Soccer Academy product Wil Trapp was called into the U.S. Under-20 National Team camp to be held in Portland, Ore., April 9-16. The team will train for a week, playing against the University of Portland and one other team during that span. The U.S. will face the Pilots at 7 p.m. PT on Thursday, April 12, at Merlo Field. The second game of the camp will take place on Sunday, April 15, against an opponent still to be determined.
CREW SOCCER ACADEMY GOES 0-1-3 VS. SOCKERS FC AND FC MILWAUKEE
The Crew Soccer Academy U-15/16s and U-17/18s returned to U.S. Soccer Development Academy action last weekend as they traveled to Elmhurst, Ill. and Germantown, Wis., to face Sockers FC and FC Milwaukee. On Saturday, March 31, the 17/18s fell to the Sockers, 3-2, with Cheick Diawara scoring both goals. The 15/16s then tied their counterparts from Chicago, 1-1, with a goal from Noah Hutchins. On Sunday, April 1, the 17/18s drew FC Milwaukee, 1-1, behind a goal by Zak Leedom, and the 15/16s tied their match, 2-2, with goals from Omar Mohamed and John Schuman. In addition, the U13, U14, U15, U16 and U18 Pre-Academy teams traveled to Michigan last weekend, with games against Vardar, Michigan Jaguars and Grand Rapids Crew Juniors, posting a 3-3-2 record.
GEHRIG NAMED TO TEAM OF THE WEEK BY SI.COM AND NBC SPORTS PROSOCCERTALK.COM
Crew defender Eric Gehrig earned his fifth career start on last Saturday (March 31) at Toronto. Gehrig was instrumental in securing the backline in the 1-0 win at BMO Field earning nominations to both the SI.com and NBC Sports ProSoccerTalk.com team of the week.
OHIO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SENIOR BOWL III IS APRIL 14 AT CREW STADIUM
The Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl III will take place at Crew Stadium next Saturday, April 14, at 1 p.m. The Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl was created to showcase some of the best college football players in Ohio and remains the only college all-star game in the Buckeye State. The North Team holds a 2-0 advantage over the South, winning last year’s contest at Crew Stadium, 19-16. Event promoter GameDay Management has announced that Franklin County Children Services will serve as the event charity. Foster children, under the care of FCCS and other local agencies, will have the opportunity to attend the Senior Bowl free of charge, and Senior Bowl participants and coaches will provide a free football clinic, under the direction of FCCS, prior to the game. Tickets to the Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl III are on sale at the Crew Stadium Box Office and online at TicketMaster.com. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of the game. For more information about the Ohio Army National Guard Senior Bowl III, visit www.OhioCollegeFootball.com.
TICKETS FOR AUG. 5 JASON ALDEAN SHOW AT CREW STADIUM ON SALE NOW
Tickets to the Aug. 5, Jason Aldean concert at Crew Stadium are on sale now 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.
