The Crew will look to run its team-record unbeaten streak to 12 games when the Black & Gold travel west to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. at Spartan Stadium. The Crew is now unbeaten in its last 11 games (4-0-7) after its 3-1 win vs. Los Angeles on Saturday.
The Crew's win vs. Los Angeles, coupled with Kansas City's 1-0 win over the MetroStars, has moved Columbus past the MetroStars and into first-place in the Eastern Conference. The Crew sits at the top of the East with 34 points (8-5-10), one point ahead of the MetroStars (9-9-6, 33 pts.) and has played one fewer game than the Metros. Chicago sits third in the East with 29 points, followed by D.C. (27 pts.) and New England (24 pts.). </p>
Wednesday's game in San Jose will not be televised, but can be heard in English on The New Eagle, 103.9, or online through TheCrew.com and MLSnet.com. </p>
Tickets for Crew home games can be acquired at the Crew Stadium Box Office, at any area Kroger Ticket Master outlet, via phone at 614-431-3600 or on line at TheCrew.com.</p>
COLUMBUS CREW at San Jose Earthquakes
Wednesday, Sept. 8 - 10:30 p.m. (ET) at Spartan Stadium
Television: None; Crew Radio: The New Eagle, 103.9 (English)
Crew Webcast: TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com (English)
CREW MAGIC NUMBER TO CLINCH A PLAYOFF SPOT IS EIGHT POINTS
With a 10-point cushion on the last place New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference, The Crew's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is eight points. Columbus needs a combination of eight points won or lost by New England to clinch its seventh playoff appearance in nine years. The Crew has 34 points and seven games left, while New England has 24 points, six games remaining and can reach a maximum of 42 points. Two Crew wins and one New England loss would clinch for Columbus, who also owns the tiebreaker against the Revolution after winning the season series 2-0-2.
HEJDUK NAMED TO ROSTER FOR U.S. WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS ON SEPT. 4 AND SEPT. 8; U.S. DOWNED EL SALVADOR 2-0 ON SATURDAY IN BOSTON
U.S. national team manager Bruce Arena announced that Crew midfielder/defender Frankie Hejduk is one of 23 players called into camp to train for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Panama. Hejduk will miss the Crew's games on Sept. 4 and Sept. 8 and return for the Sept. 18 match vs. the MetroStars.
The U.S. downed El Salvador 2-0 on Saturday in Boston. Hejduk was available but did not see any action in the game. Brian Ching and Landon Donovan scored the U.S. goals. The U.S. now travels to face Panama at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez on Wednesday in Panama City at 9 p.m. (ET).</p>
CREW STADIUM TO HOST VIEWING PARTIES FOR UPCOMING WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS, INLCUDING THIS WEDNESDAY AGAINST PANAMA
Crew Stadium continues to host viewing parties for the U.S. national team's World Cup qualifying matches, including this Wednesday, Sept. 8, against Panama at 9 p.m. (ET). The game in Panama is live on Fox Sports World and can be viewed in Crew Stadium's Huntington Club. Admission is free for the viewing parties. Crew Stadium will also host viewing parties on Oct. 9 and Oct. 13.
WEDNESDAY'S CREW GAME CAN ALSO BE HEARD IN THE CREW STADIUM HUNTINGTON CLUB AFTER THE VIEWING PARTY OF THE U.S. WORLD CUP QUALIFYING MATCH
At the conclusion of the U.S. World Cup viewing party on Wednesday, fans can remain in the Huntington Club to listen to the Crew's game at San Jose on Eagle 103.9. The U.S. game starts at 9 p.m. with The Crew game beginning at 10:30 p.m. A large video screen will also be available to follow the Crew game real-time on TheCrew.com for the half hour that the U.S. game and Crew game overlaps.
SCOTT CALLED IN BY COSTA RICA FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFYING MATCHES
Erick Scott has been called-in by Costa Rica for their World Cup qualifying matches on September 5 and September 8. The Ticos, who lost 2-1 today (Sept. 5) in Guatemala, host Canada on Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. (local time). Costa Rica lost its first match, 5-2, to Honduras in Costa Rica.
PAULE NOTCHES EIGHTH HAT TRICK IN CREW HISTORY, IS FOURTH CREW PLAYER TO DO SO
Ross Paule's hat trick in The Crew's 3-1 win vs. L.A. on 9/4 was the eighth hat trick in Crew history. Only four players have tallied the eight Crew hat tricks, with Stern John notching five, and Brian Maisonneuve and Dante Washington each garnering one. The last hat trick was Washington's on 6/16/01 vs. Tampa Bay.
COLUMBUS STRETCHES ITS TEAM-RECORD UNBEATEN STREAK TO 11 GAMES
After a 3-1 win vs. Los Angeles on Saturday, September 4, The Crew stretched its team record unbeaten streak to 11 consecutive games (4-0-7). The previous record of nine (7-0-2) was set on 7/4 to 8/19, 2001. Columbus also had a seven-game (4-0-3) unbeaten streak earlier in the year from 5/1 to 6/12 that ranks as the third longest unbeaten streak in team history.
CREW AND KANSAS CITY HAVE MOST POINTS IN THE LEAGUE OVER THE PAST 20 GAMES
After starting the season 0-3, The Crew has gone 8-2-10 over the past 20 games with 34 points. The 34 points is tied with Kansas City for the most of any team over their past 20 games.
COLUMBUS PUSHES ITS MLS RECORD TO 19-STRAIGHT SUCCESSFUL PENALTY KICKS
The Crew has stretched its MLS record to 19-straight successful penalty kicks after Ross Paule scored on a PK vs. Los Angeles 9/4. Colorado held the previous mark of 14 consecutive without a miss.
CREW IN MIDST OF AN MLS RECORD FIVE STRAIGHT ROAD TIES
With its fifth straight road tie (1-1) on 8/29 at the MetroStars, Columbus set a new MLS record for consecutive ties on the road. The previous record of four straight ties was set by Colorado in 2001.
