The first-place Crew (10-7-7, 37 pts.) hosts second-place Philadelphia Union (8-5-10, 34 pts.) on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m., on the heels of a thrilling 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution last Saturday (Aug. 13) that cemented its position atop the Eastern Conference.
The match will be televised live regionally on ONN with Dwight Burgess and Duncan Oughton calling all the action. 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.
This is only the third time the Union and the Black & Gold have met, as Philadelphia is in just its second season in the league. The Crew won both contests in 2010, 2-1 in Philadelphia on Aug. 5, in which Steven Lenhart notched both goals, and a 3-1 victory at Crew Stadium in the final match of regular season (Oct. 24). Emilio Renteria scored the game-winning goal, assisted by Eddie Gaven, and Andres Mendoza added a goal late in the game. That match was also memorable for the fact that Gaven finished the match playing in goal after William Hesmer was forced out with a broken shoulder and the Crew had no more substitutions left.
Philadelphia is coming off a 2-2 draw vs. FC Dallas last Saturday (Aug. 13), in which Union assist leader Sebastien Le Toux (8) converted a pair of penalties. After severing ties with the team’s leading scorer, Carlos Ruiz, who went to Veracruz of Mexico’s Liga de Ascenso, the Union acquired international star Freddy Adu from Portugal’s Benfica. Adu made his debut for Philadelphia in the match against FC Dallas logging 62 minutes. Philadelphia is also home to former Crew midfielders Brian Carroll and Stefani Miglioranzi.
In the Black & Gold’s win over New England on Saturday, following an own goal by the Revolution, defender Julius James notched the game-winner, assisted by Josh Gardner, with a phenomenal header off a corner kick, and forward Emilio Renteria added a late insurance goal in his first game back from injury.
Following Saturday’s match, the Crew travels to Seattle to face the Sounders FC on Saturday, August 27, at 4 p.m. and will return home on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. for the deciding match of the 2011 Trillium Cup vs. Toronto FC.
COLUMBUS CREW vs. Philadelphia Union
Saturday, Aug. 20 – 7:30 p.m. (ET) – Crew Stadium
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 STADIUM TO HOST FIFTH ANNUAL OHIO SOCCER HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY SATURDAY
The Columbus Crew, in conjunction with the Southern Ohio Adult Soccer Association (SOASA) and Ohio Soccer Association North (OSAN), will host the Fourth Annual Ohio Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet this Saturday, Aug. 20, in the Upper 90 Club at Crew Stadium. The induction ceremony and banquet – which will feature former Crew goalkeeper Tom Presthus as keynote speaker – will include the enshrinement of nine new members and will take place from 12:30 to 5 p.m., prior to the Crew’s home game against the Philadelphia Union, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. The inductees will then be honored at midfield during pregame festivities that night. The Ohio Soccer Hall Fame was created to recognize those individuals who, by their sacrifices and extraordinary efforts, have enhanced the sport of soccer to the benefit of all involved. To be considered for induction, candidates may be nominated as players, coaches, referees or administrators, and must meet the criteria for that particular category for which they are nominated. The Ohio Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2011 is made up of Denzel Antonio, Gianfranco Borroni, Terry Campbell, Ken Conselyea, Adam Hetzel, Tom Kondas, Jim Martella, Jim Reuther and Keri Beth Sarver.
CREW RESUMES RESERVE LEAGUE PLAY ON SUNDAY
The Crew will return to MLS Reserve League play this Sunday (Aug. 21), at Crew Stadium, when it will host the Philadelphia Union at 10 a.m. After losing its first reserve match, 3-1, at D.C. United on March 19, the Crew went on to win its next three, 2-1 win at Toronto on April 23, 1-0 over New England on May 9 at Crew Stadium and 6-1 at New York on May 30. All Crew Reserve League matches are free and open to the public.
RICH BALCHAN AND ERIC GEHRIG ‘RECLAIM FAMILY DINNER WITH PANERA’ ON THURSDAY
Crew defenders Rich Balchan and Eric Gehrig will be on hand at the Panera Bread location in Reynoldsburg (2374 Taylor Road, 43068) to meet fans, pose for pictures and sign autographs this Thursday, Aug. 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., as part of Panera Family Night with the Crew. Fans are encouraged to stop by, pick up dinner and meet the Crew players.
CREW MIDFIELDER BERNARDO ANOR TO MEET FANS AT LIFELINE OF OHIO BOOTH AT 10TV FITNESS EXPO
Stop by Lifeline of Ohio's booth at the 10TV Health & Fitness Expo this Sunday, Aug. 21, from 1-2 p.m.at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, to meet Crew midfielder Bernardo Anor and enter to win Crew prizes. Anor, a spokesperson for Lifeline of Ohio, will greet fans, pose for photos and sign autographs.
CREW SOCCER FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC TO BE HELD ON SEPT. 19
The Crew Soccer Foundation will hold its Golf Classic at Heritage Golf Club on Sept. 19. Participants will have a chance to test their skills against Crew players on a challenging and beautiful course designed by famed architect P.B. Dye. A variety of single and foursome packages are available, including a VIP foursome package which will allow participants to play with a Crew player (subject to availability). To register for the Crew Soccer Foundation Golf Classic, visit www.thecrew.com/golf .
CREW MIDFIELDER ROBBIE ROGERS ON CREWXTRA THIS WEDNESDAY
CrewXtra, the weekly show on ONN Wednesdays at 8, 8:30, 11 and 11:30 p.m., this week will feature Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers alongside TV analyst Duncan Oughton, Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch, and Ashleigh Ignelzi filling in for host Beau Bishop, as they discuss last week’s big win over New England, the upcoming first-place battle against Philadelphia and Rogers’ recent exploits with the U.S. National Team.
