RETURN TO GILLETTE STADIUM
Columbus Crew SC and the New England Revolution are set to renew their rivalry with the first regular-season meeting between the sides in 2015 and the first match-up of the two clubs since the 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals. In all-time regular season play, the Black & Gold are 31-21-11 against New England, including a mark of 14-13-5 in Foxborough. Crew SC took the 2014 regular-season series between the clubs with a 2-1-0 record. Additionally, the clubs have met in the postseason three times (2002, 2004, 2014).
LAST REGULAR SEASON MEETING
On October 4, 2014, Crew SC and the Revolution met in what would be an MLS Cup Playoffs preview at Gillette Stadium. Ethan Finlay notched his ninth goal of the season, but New England won the contest by a 2-1 final following goals from Lee Nguyen and Jermaine Jones.
HIGUAIN AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION
Following a red-card suspension served on Wednesday at Vancouver, Federico Higuain is set to be available for selection in the match. The Designated Player is Columbus’ leader in both goals and assists since he joined the club on July 27, 2012.
KAMARA RECORDS A BRACE ...
Forward Kei Kamara recorded a two-goal performance, helping Crew SC to a draw on Wednesday at Vancouver. The brace was the Sierra Leone native’s seventh all-time in Major League Soccer and his first since August 10, 2013 against New England, when he accomplished the feat as a member of Sporting Kansas City. The two-goal performance was also Kamara’s first in a Columbus shirt. Kamara now has 55 career MLS tallies.
... THE CLUB’S FIRST SINCE SCHOENFELD’S
The last two-goal match by a member of Crew SC prior to Kamara’s effort at Vancouver on Wednesday was by Aaron Schoenfeld, who notched a brace on October 19, 2014 at Red Bull Arena against New York.
FINLAY ASSISTS
Midfielder Ethan Finlay notched his second assist of the 2015 campaign on Kamara’s opening goal in Vancouver. Finlay now leads the club in the category. The helper was the ninth of his Major League Soccer career. Overall, it also marked the 20th goal that Finlay has been involved in in MLS (goals + assists), with all 20 coming since May 17, 2014 at Portland.
KAMARA AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS
Crew SC forward Kei Kamara’s brace against Whitecaps FC gave him three goals on the season. He is now one of seven players tied for second in the League in the category. Among players with more than one match played, Kamara is tied for fourth in MLS in goals/game (0.75).
GOING FOR GOAL
Following a 15-shot total against Vancouver on Wednesday, Crew SC still ranks first in Major League Soccer in most attempted shots per match (17.3). This weekend’s opponent, New England, has recorded 11.4 shots per match.
SHOOTING STARS
Following performances of six and two shots attempted against Vancouver, respectively, Crew SC’s Kei Kamara and Justin Meram continue to both rank in the League’s top three in shots attempted per match. Kamara (5.3) leads MLS in the statistic, and Meram (4.5) ranks third. Kamara ranks second in MLS in total amount of shots (21), trailing only Vancouver’s Octavio Rivero (23).
