The Columbus Crew faces D.C. United this Saturday, July 21, at Crew Stadium. The Black & Gold looks to bounce back from a 2-0 loss against Sporting KC last Saturday, July 14.
Saturday’s match will kick off at 7:30 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. 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 three meetings between the two clubs as the Crew (6-7-4, 22 pts.) looks to climb back up in the Eastern Conference Standings. After a slow start to the season, D.C. (10-6-3, 33 pts.) turned its fortunes around and now sits in second place in the Eastern Conference. United is coming off a 4-0 loss at Houston last Sunday (July 15) in which goalkeeper Bill Hamid was ejected in the 17th minute of the match for a tackle on Houston’s Mac Kandji. Hamid is suspended for the match and is not available for selection. The Crew’s Emilio Renteria is also unavailable due to suspension.
D.C. is led by forward Chris Pontius who has nine goals on the season but United’s goal production has also come from Maicon Santos who has seven goals and reigning League MVP Dwayne De Rosario who has five and leads the team in assists with 10.
United holds the all-time advantage over the Crew with a 30-23-8 record. Last season the teams split the two-game series with D.C. winning the season opener 3-1 at RFK Stadium on March 19, and the Black & Gold defeating United 2-1 with a spectacular diving header by Eddie Gaven as the game-winner.
Next, the Black & Gold travels to Kansas City, Kan., to face Sporting KC on Saturday, July 28, at 8:30 p.m. at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.
COLUMBUS CREW vs. D.C. United
Saturday, July 21 – 7:30 p.m. (ET) – Crew Stadium
Regional Television: FOX Sports Ohio
Crew Radio: News/Talk 610 WTVN (English); La Mega 103.1 (Spanish)
Crew Webcast: TheCrew.com (English)
SATURDAY IS KICKS FOR KIDS NIGHT, PRESENTED BY CARDINAL HEALTH
The Crew Soccer Foundation will host more than 3,000 youth from child focused non-profit organizations this Saturday, July 21, on Kicks for Kids Night presented by Cardinal Health. The unique program provides Crew game tickets to at-risk children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to see professional soccer in action. Kicks for Kids participants will take part in on-field experiences and a halftime recognition ceremony. For more information on Kicks for Kids, visit http://www.thecrew.com/community/kick-for-kids <http://www.thecrew.com/community/kick-for-kids> .
MLS RESERVE LEAGUE RETURNS THIS WEEK AT OBETZ
The MLS Reserve League returns this Sunday, July 22, as the Crew hosts D.C. United reserves at 10:15 a.m. at the Crew Training Center at Obetz. The Black & Gold looks to fortify its hold atop the Eastern Division Standings and improve its 5-2-0 record. D.C. enters the match having only played two matches with a 1-0-1 record.
BUDWEISER CELEBRITY BARTENDING NIGHT AT THREE-LEGGED MARE TO BENEFIT THE CREW SOCCER FOUNDATION
Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum will join defender Eric Gehrig and midfielder Chris Birchall in a Budweiser Celebrity Bartending Night at Three Legged Mare in the Arena District (401 North Front St., Columbus, OH 43215), on Wednesday, July 25 from 7-9 p.m. Scott ‘The Torg” Torgerson of 97.1 The Fan will MC the event with the help of Frankie Hejduk. All tips collected during the event will be donated to the Crew Soccer Foundation.
WIL TRAPP NAMED TO U.S. U20 SQUAD FOR MILK CUP
Crew Soccer Academy standout Wil Trapp has been named to the United States U-20 squad that is currently in England and Northern Ireland for the NI Milk Cup, one of the most prestigious youth tournaments in the World. The U20s will train at Liverpool F.C. before beginning the tournament in Belfast against Denmark on Saturday, July 21. They will then face Turkey on Monday, July 23. Last year the U.S. U20s finished third behind Denmark and Northern Ireland, they had won the tournament in 2005 and 2010.
CSA’S CARTER RICHARDSON NAMED CENTRAL CONFERENCE GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR BY USSDA
Crew Soccer Academy 15/16s goalkeeper Carter Richardson has been named Central Conference Goalkeeper of the Year by the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Richardson has also been training with the Crew reserves and has been named to the gameday roster for the last three Reserve League matches. CSA Wolves coach Lars Richters was named Central Conference Coach of the Year and CSA Wolves midfielder Blake Townes was named to the Central Conference Best XI.
TICKETS FOR U.S. WORLD CUP QUALIFIER VS. JAMAICA ON SALE NOW
Tickets for the Sept. 11 U.S. National Team World Cup qualifying match vs. Jamaica at Crew Stadium are on sale now through ussoccer.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000, at all central Ohio Ticketmaster ticket centers (including Kroger stores) and the Crew Stadium ticket office (open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The game, in the Semifinal Round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, will kick off at 8 p.m. Ultimate Fan Tickets (special VIP packages that include a premium ticket, a custom-made official U.S. National Team jersey with name and number, VIP access to the field before and after the game, and other unique benefits) are also available exclusively through ussoccer.com.
ZAC BROWN BAND TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Crew Stadium will host the renowned country and southern rock group Zac Brown Band on Friday, Sept. 28. Tickets for the show are now on sale at the Crew Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.
