Since the 3-2 loss at the Philadelphia Union back on June 1, members of the Black & Gold have enjoyed a lengthy break away from the pitch to spend time with friends and family.
“I think it was great for the guys just to get away,” goalkeeper Brad Stuver says. “Some guys went on vacation, saw their family, some guys were on international break but overall I think it was good just for some of the guys to get a little break from it all and now come back and go at it the rest of the season.”
However, after the time off, Crew SC is recharged for its opening matchup of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Fourth Round of the competition. The Rowdies are a member of the North American Soccer League (NASL), and currently sit in fifth place of the league’s spring standings. Tampa Bay reached the fourth round by defeating FC Cincinnati 1-0 on June 1 on a goal by striker Georgi Hristov.
Crew SC holds a 22-15-2 record in the U.S. Open Cup, including a 12-5-1 record in their opening match in the competition dating back to the Black & Gold's tournament debut in 1998. Wednesday’s match will mark the first meeting between the Rowdies and Crew SC, and although there is a clear lack of history between the two sides, Black & Gold Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter knows the opportunities a match like this presents.
“I think for [Tampa Bay], it’s a good opportunity to advance to further stages of the tournament, and perhaps get another MLS competitor, which would be great,” he says. “For us, it’s a chance potentially to get some other guys some game time, but also to compete in a new venue. Our fans get to see us in a different environment and it will be a good game.”
Playing time in a U.S. Open Cup match can be a huge moment for any player, and according to Stuver, members of the Black & Gold are ready to compete at any moment.
“I think its big for the younger guys because as you saw last year, the first game against Richmond, we played a little bit of a younger lineup, so it was good to get those guys into some games and I think this year it will be the same.
“Especially now, I think a lot of guys are going to need their numbers called and it’s a great way to showcase what we can do and its what we live for when you get a game; that’s what you go in thinking about.”
Columbus is 13-6-1 all-time at home in the U.S. Open Cup and has a record of 6-1-1 against USSF Division II clubs all-time in the tournament. With a chance to move to the competition’s Round of 16 for the fourth straight year on the line, Berhalter says the match with Tampa Bay won’t be easy but his squad will be prepared.
“We’re going to put a team on the field that can compete ... It will be a good game at home in Columbus, and we’re looking forward to it.”
