Crew SC will make its home debut of the 2016 MLS season on Saturday for Opening Match presented by MAPFRE Insurance. Prepare yourself for Columbus’ upcoming match against the Philadelphia Union with some notable facts. But first, get your tickets here!
CREW SC HOSTS THE PHILADELPHIA UNION FOR OPENING MATCH
This is set to be the 16th all-time meeting between the two clubs, as well as the eighth in Central Ohio. All-time, Crew SC is 10-4-1 against the Union, including an unbeaten 6-0-1 mark at home.
LAST REGULAR-SEASON MEETING
On September 12, 2015, Crew SC earned a road victory at Talen Energy Stadium over Philadelphia by a 2-1 final. Kei Kamara notched a brace (his 19th and 20th goals of the 2015 season) and Steve Clark made six saves to help Columbus win the match.
LAST THREE REGULAR-SEASON MEETINGS
04/25/2015: CLB 4 vs. PHI 1 W MAPFRE Stadium
06/03/2015: CLB 0 at PHI 3 L Talen Energy Stadium
09/12/2015: CLB 2 at PHI 1 W Talen Energy Stadium
CREW SC 11 YEARS UNBEATEN IN OPENING MATCH
Crew SC enters this Opening Match presented by MAPFRE Insurance against the Philadelphia Union unbeaten in its last 11 home openers, holding a record of 6-0-5 in all such matches dating back to 2005. Crew SC is 2-0-0 over each of its past two home openers, including a win over the Union in Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter’s MAPFRE Stadium debut on March 22, 2014.
HIGUAIN’S BICYCLE KICK BREAKS TIE WITH GAVEN
In Portland, Federico Higuain recorded a bicycle-kick goal in the 68th minute. The goal was his 36th all-time tally for Crew SC. That total breaks a tie with Eddie Gaven to move the Argentine into fifth place all-time in Black & Gold goal-scoring history. It was Higuain's third career goal at Providence Park.
FINLAY NOTCHES ASSIST IN PORTLAND
Crew SC midfielder Ethan Finlay registered his first assist of the season on Federico Higuain's goal in Portland. Finlay registered 13 assists in 2015, a total that placed him fifth place in Major League Soccer. The United States international was one of only two outfield players to start all 34 regular-season matches Leaguewide in 2015, joining New York’s Felipe Martins. Finlay is now two appearances shy of reaching 100 in his MLS career.
CLARK MOVES UP THE CREW SC RECORD BOOKS
In Portland, goalkeeper Steve Clark made his 69th career regular-season start for the club. That total broke a tie with Mark Dougherty to place the Mason, Michigan native fourth all-time in career Black & Gold goalkeeper starts. Clark is 10 starts shy of tying Andy Gruenebaum for third all-time in Crew SC history in the category.
ALL-TIME MAPFRE STADIUM ATTENDANCE RECORDS SET IN 2015
Crew SC opens its 2016 regular-season slate at MAPFRE Stadium with this match. In 2015, the Black & Gold set a number of attendance records at America’s first soccer-specific stadium. Including the postseason, Crew SC’s seven regular-season and postseason sellouts combined was an all-time club record. Crew SC’s three consecutive sellouts from August 22 against Sporting Kansas City through September 26 versus Portland was an all-time venue record. The attendance of 22,719 against Portland was the eighth-largest in MAPFRE Stadium regular-season history and the largest since the stage at the north end of the venue was constructed prior to the 2008 season.
WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN
Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. ET start is available via regional television on both The CW Columbus and Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. Neil Sika (play-by-play) and Dwight Burgess (analyst) are set to have the call of the match on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, “Crew SC Matchday,” the exclusive pre-match show, starts at 7:00 p.m. ET, and “Crew SC Post-Match” immediately follows the action only on TWCSC. The CW Columbus broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. Locally, the contest is available via the radio in English on CD102.5 FM and in Spanish on La Mega 103.1 FM. The English radio broadcast also is set to stream live on ColumbusCrewSC. Com. A complete list of places to catch the Black & Gold on TV is available here. The game can be watched internationally via the following: M. East & N. Africa, Abu Dhabi Sports / Doha, Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong, BeIN Sports (ASIA AUS) / Europe (exl UK & Eire), Eurosport.
½ PRICE NIGHT
Opening Match presented by MAPFRE Insurance features the debut of a new promotion. With “½ Price Night” coming to MAPFRE Stadium at permanent concession locations, through the 15th minute of the match, supporters can enjoy half-price popcorn, bratwursts, Pepsi products, and select Budweiser products (21-and-over).
