Columbus Crew SC will start its 2016 Lamar Hunt Open Cup with a Fourth Round match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on June 15. Here is everything you need to know leading up to the 7 p.m. kick-off at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at The Ohio State University.
BLACK & GOLD TO HOST NASL TEAM FOR SECOND TIME
Columbus is slated to host a North American Soccer League (NASL) side for the second time in its history as well as the second time in three years when Tampa Bay visits Central Ohio for this match. In 2014, Crew SC played Indy Eleven in the Fourth Round of this competition on the campus of the University of Akron, winning by a 2-1 final after extra time. All-time, the Black & Gold are 6-1-1 against USSF Division II clubs in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
MARTINEZ BECOMES YOUNGEST TO EVER SCORE FOR CREW SC
In the Black & Gold's last match, which was MLS regular-season action at Philadelphia (June 1), midfielder Cristian Martinez made his Crew SC and MLS regular-season debut, scoring a goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. Martinez, at 19 years, 116 days old, broke the club record for all-time youngest regular-season goal scorer. The mark was previously held by Eddie Gaven, set on July 4, 2006, when Gaven was 19 years, 252 days old.
FINLAY REGISTERS SECOND MULTI-ASSIST MATCH
Against Philadelphia, Crew SC midfielder Ethan Finlay registered his second-career regular-season match with two or more assists by helping on both Ola Kamara and Cristian Martinez's goals. Previously, Finlay notched two helpers on October 19, 2014 at the New York Red Bulls.
SWANSON MAKES CLUB DEBUT, BARSON REGISTERS FIRST START
At Talen Energy Stadium versus the Union, in addition to Cristian Martinez, Ben Swanson also made his Crew SC and MLS regular-season debut. The Homegrown Player recorded 16 minutes for the Black & Gold at central midfield. Additionally, defender Chad Barson made his first start of the season for Crew SC with the nod at centerback. It was the Homegrown Player's second consecutive appearance for Crew SC after coming on as a substitute against Real Salt Lake (May 28).
CREW SC RESUMES MLS REGULAR-SEASON PLAY ON SATURDAY
Following this match against Tampa Bay, Crew SC resumes Major League Soccer regular-season play on Saturday, June 18 at MAPFRE Stadium by hosting the Montreal Impact (7:30 p.m. ET / The CW Columbus, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, BCSN2, CD102.5 FM, La Mega 103.1 FM, English radio stream on ColumbusCrewSC.com).
WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN
Wednesday's 7:00 p.m. ET start is available via a live online video stream on ColumbusCrewSC.com. Neil Sika (play-by-play) and Dwight Burgess (analyst) are set to have the call of the match.
