After winning the Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup with an exciting 2-1 win over FC Dallas in which Justin Meram and Sebastian Miranda tallied their first MLS goals last Saturday, May 12, the Crew embarks on a two-game West coast trip. First up is a match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., this Saturday, May 19, followed by a midweek tilt at CenturyLink Field against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, May 23.
Saturday’s match will kick off at 10:30 p.m. (ET) and be televised live regionally in high definition on FOX Sports Ohio, with Dwight Burgess and Duncan Oughton calling all the action. The game can also be heard in English on News/Talk 610 WTVN and on-line at TheCrew.com, with Neil Sika on the call, and in Spanish on La Mega 103.1, with Carlos Cordova behind the microphone.
San Jose (7-2-2, 23 pts.) enters the match on the heels of a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA on Sunday (May 13). The Earthquakes are led by 2010 Budweiser Golden Boot winner and two-time team MVP Chris Wondolowski, who leads this year’s MLS Golden Boot race with 11 goals. Head coach Frank Yallop can also count on former Crew forward Steven Lenhart who has scored four goals so far this season, and defender Steven Beitashour who leads the ‘Quakes in assists with five. Yallop will have to do without Honduran international Marvin Chavez who is out two-four weeks with a strained hamstring.
Saturday’s match will be the lone regular-season meeting of 2012 between the Crew (3-4-2, 11 pts.) and the Earthquakes and the Black & Gold looks to improve on its 18-13-4 all-time record against San Jose. Last season, the Crew suffered a 3-0 loss at Buck Shaw Stadium on May 14 and tied the ‘Quakes, 0-0, at Crew Stadium on July 16.
The Crew will continue its West coast trip on Wednesday, May 23, at Seattle, before returning home to host the Chicago Fire on Saturday, May 26, at 7 p.m. at Crew Stadium.
COLUMBUS CREW at San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday, May 19 – 10:30 p.m. (ET) – Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
Regional Television: FOX Sports Ohio
Crew Radio: News/Talk 610 WTVN (English); La Mega 103.1 (Spanish)
Crew Webcast: TheCrew.com (English)
CREW PUB TOUR CONTINUES AT CLADDAGH IN POLARIS
The Crew continues its 2012 Pub Tour with a viewing party at Claddagh Irish Pub in Polaris (8745 Sancus Blvd. Columbus, 43215) this Saturday, May 12. The Black & Gold’s match at San Jose kicks off at 10:30 p.m. (ET) and televisions in the pub will be tuned to Fox Sports Ohio so fans can enjoy the game. There will also be prizes and giveaways, including autographed memorabilia.
SIXTH ANNUAL ROCK ON THE RANGE FESTIVAL IS THIS WEEKEND
Crew Stadium will host America’s premier rock festival, ROCK ON THE RANGE, this Friday through Sunday, May 18-20, for the sixth straight year. The world-famous festival will feature artists such as headliners Incubus and Rob Zombie, as well as Slash, Anthrax, Cypress Hill and Marilyn Manson. The ROTR celebration will start early on Friday night, May 18, with a four-band show at Crew Stadium, featuring performances from Hairball, Foxy Shazam, Black Tide and Hell’s bells. Tickets for ROTR 2012 are still available at www.rockontherange.com <http://www.rockontherange.com/> and www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com/> , all local Ticketmaster outlets and the Crew Stadium Box Office.
CREW SOCCER ACADEMY 17/18s WIN, WHILE 15/16s WIN AND DRAW OVER WEEKEND
The Crew Soccer Academy U-15/16s and U-17/18s hosted FC Milwaukee last Saturday, May 12, and posted a pair of big wins. The 15/16s blanked their counterparts, 4-0, behind goals by Andrew McKelvey (2), Noah Hutchins and John Schuman, while the 17/18s raced to a 5-2 victory behind goals from David Witkoff (2), Gavin Craig, Rhodes Moore and Alex Ranalli. On Sunday (May 13), CSA hosted the Chicago Sockers, with the 15/16s drawing their match, 2-2, with goals from Nate Kohl and Brady Blackwell, while the 17/18s claimed a 1-0 win with a goal by Alex Bumpus. Both CSA teams travel to Illinois to face the Chicago Magic this Saturday, May 19, at the College of Dupage Field in Glen Elyn, Ill., On Sunday, May 20, they travel to the Toyota Park practice fields in Bridgeview, Ill., where they will face the Chicago Fire Academy.
FLOGGING MOLLY TO PLAY FULL SHOW FOLLOWING MAY 26 CREW-FIRE MATCH
International Irish rock band Flogging Molly will play a full concert at Crew Stadium following the Crew’s match vs. the Chicago Fire on Saturday, May 26. Flogging Molly drummer George Schwindt and manager Gary Schwindt are Columbus natives, and have been Crew season-ticket holders for the last five years. All tickets to the Crew vs. Fire game will grant access to the concert. A very limited number of VIP Field Access tickets that will allow field access for the concert are available – starting at $34 for Upper Level tickets and $39 for Lower Level tickets – at TheCrew.com, Ticketmaster.com, the Crew Stadium Ticket Office, Ticketmaster Outlets or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
