COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew will look to earn its second consecutive road win this Saturday (June 21) as it travels to Southern California to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center. This week's match features two teams seeking to defend their places near the top of the MLS standings, as the Crew (7-4-1, 22 pts.) sits alone in second place in the Eastern Conference, while the Galaxy (6-4-2, 20 pts.) finds itself in first place in the West. The match will be the Crew's final regular season match-up out on the West Coast this season, having played the road portion of its home-and-home season series with both San Jose and Chivas USA in May.
Saturday's match kicks off at 10:30 p.m. (ET) and will be televised live locally on ONN, with Dwight Burgess and Dante Washington calling all the action. The game can also be heard in English on News/Talk 610 WTVN with Neil Sika behind the microphone and on-line at TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com, as well as in Spanish on La Que Buena 1550-AM.
Los Angeles heads into Saturday's match after defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0, last Saturday on the strength of an Edson Buddle hat trick before a crowd of 39,872 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. The Galaxy is now on a two-game winning streak, having defeated the Colorado Rapids, 3-2, at home on June 7. It boasts the league's top two scorers in Landon Donovan (9 goals) and Buddle (8), the former Crew forward, along with David Beckham.
Columbus enters the match having snapped its three-game losing streak last Saturday (June 14) by dispatching the Kansas City Wizards, 3-0, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas. The Crew grabbed an early lead on a Chad Marshall header in the third minute, assisted by Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The Black & Gold doubled its lead in the 20th minute, when Alejandro Moreno tracked down a Danny O'Rourke pass on the left flank and placed a diagonal shot back across the grain, beating Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman who had come racing off his line to try and intercept the pass. The Crew put the match away in the 66th minute on Moreno's second goal of the night, as he pounced on a lofted pass into the box from Schelotto and hammered home a low drive inside the near post.
COLUMBUS CREW at Los Angeles Galaxy
Saturday, June 21 - 10:30 p.m. (ET) at The Home Depot Center
National Television: N/A; Local Television: ONN
Crew Radio: News/Talk 610 WTVN (English); La Que Buena 1550-AM (Spanish)
Crew Webcasts: TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com (English)
MARSHALL NOTCHES GAME-WINNER, FIRST GOAL OF SEASON SATURDAY
Crew defender Chad Marshall registered his first goal of the 2008 season on Saturday (June 14) in the Crew's 3-0 victory over Kansas City. Marshall's goal, a header off a Guillermo Barros Schelotto corner kick that proved to be the game-winner, was tallied in the third minute of the match, making it the quickest goal scored by the Crew to start a match this season, besting Adam Moffat's fourth minute tally vs. the Wizards on May 3.
MORENO SCORES TWO SATURDAY, TAKES OVER TEAM LEAD IN GOALS
Veteran forward Alejandro Moreno, the Crew's leading scorer in 2007, scored in the 20th and 67th minutes of the Black & Gold's 3-0 victory at Kansas City last Saturday (June 14), giving him his fifth and sixth goals of the season, and moving him past Robbie Rogers (5) for the team lead in goals scored. Moreno now has 13 goals and 10 assists in 37 games since joining the Crew in May of 2007.
HESMER REGISTERS FOURTH SHUTOUT OF SEASON Goalkeeper William Hesmer earned a shutout in Saturday's (June 14) match at Kansas City, giving him his fourth clean sheet of the season. Hesmer is now tied for second in shutouts among MLS goalkeepers this season. Hesmer's previous shutouts came on 3/29 vs. Toronto, 4/26 vs. Houston and 5/17 at Toronto. Hesmer also ranks third in the league in goals-against average (1.17) and second in save percentage (73.7%).
NUMEROUS CREW PLAYERS MAKE CAREER, SEASON DEBUTS
Due to injury and National Team call-up, several Crew players received their first first-team opportunities of the season on Saturday (June 14). Veteran midfielder Duncan Oughton went the full 90 minutes in his first start and appearance of the 2008 season. Forward Jason Garey also made his first appearance of 2008, coming on as a second-half substitute for Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Rookie defender Andy Iro, the Crew's first round selection (No. 6 overall) in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, made the first start of his Crew and MLS career and went the full 90 minutes, while second-year defender Ryan Junge also went the full 90 minutes in the first start of his Crew and MLS career. Recently-signed midfielder, Cory Elenio, the Crew's second round pick (No. 20 overall) of the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft, made the first appearance of his Crew and MLS career, subbing in for Emmanuel Ekpo in the 81st minute.
CREW PLAYERS AMONG LEAGUES STATISTICAL LEADERS
Several Crew players find themselves among the league statistical leaders so far in the 2008 season. Forward Alejandro Moreno now finds himself ranked fourth in MLS in goals scored (6), after his two-goal performance on Saturday (June 14) at Kansas City. Midfielder Robbie Rogers finds himself among the league's best in several categories, as he is currently tied for sixth in MLS in goals scored (5), while also ranking fourth in shots (33) and sixth in shots on goal (17). Rogers is also tied for second in MLS in multi-goal games (2) and he is one of 12 players with at least two game-winning goals on the year. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, too, has had a prolific start to the 2008 season, as he leads the league in corner kicks (62) by a wide margin and is tied for second in assists (6), one behind the leader, Javier Morales of RSL.
CREW FEATURES HALF OF THE LEAGUE'S EIGHT MOST-FOULED PLAYERS
The Crew's roster features four of the eight most-fouled players in the league - Alejandro Moreno, who has led the league in the category for the last three years, is second with 33, Guillermo Barros Schelotto is third (32), Robbie Rogers is sixth (27) and Eddie Gaven is eighth (23).
HEJDUK RETURNS TO CREW FROM NATIONAL TEAM DUTY
Veteran defender Frankie Hejduk has returned to the Crew, after suiting up for the U.S. Men's National Team for its dominating 8-0 victory over Barbados on Sunday (June 15) at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. It was the largest margin of victory ever in U.S. Men's National Team history. Hejduk was a member of coach Bob Bradley's 18-man roster, but he did not appear in the match. However, the longtime National Team standout has earned three international caps (appearances) for the U.S. over the last month - bringing his total career caps to 78 - while also logging thousands of miles in air travel in his travels back and forth for club and country. Hejduk returned to Columbus following Sunday's match and he has resumed training with the Crew. He will travel with the club to L.A. for its match against the Galaxy this Saturday (June 21). The U.S. MNT traveled to Miami on Monday for preparations before heading to Barbados for the match-up's second leg this Sunday (June 22), at 3 p.m. ET. The match will be televised live on ESPN Classic and Galavision.
CREW SOCCER ROCKS CLINIC WITH LAKE SOCCER UNITED SET FOR TUESDAY EVENING IN UNIONTOWN
The Crew Soccer Academy squads continued play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy last Saturday (June 14) as it traveled to Indiana to take on Carmel United. The U-16s opened play on the day, losing 4-1 to Carmel, with their lone goal coming from Ross Friedman. The U-18s followed with a 3-0 victory over their counterparts from Carmel, thanks to goals by Colby Catlett, David Shade and Sean Ryan. The two CSA squads are scheduled for a busy week this week, as they first welcome Bridge FA to Crew Stadium Wednesday, June 18 at 10 a.m. (U-16s) and noon (U-18s). Then, this Saturday (June 21), CSA welcomes Ohio Elite to the Crew Training Center at Obetz, with the U-16s kicking off at 1 p.m. and the U-18s following at 3 p.m. All games are free and open to the public.
CREW STADIUM TO HOST WCOL'S 'BUCKEYE COUNTRY JAM 2008' THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 21
Columbus Crew Stadium will host WCOL's 'Buckeye Country Jam 2008' this Saturday, June 21. Tickets for the 13th annual show, priced at $10 and $20, are available now at all central Ohio Meijer locations. The show will feature an outstanding lineup of favorite country artists and new talent - headliner Phil Vassar, John Michael Montgomery, Little Big Town and Fisher Stevenson. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. and the show begins at 5 p.m. All seating is reserved, and VIP parking will be available in advance at the Crew Stadium Box Office (614-447-4169). Please note that the I-71 17th Ave. exit is closed due to bridge repairs and visit www.crewstadium.com/?s=events&h=news&a=00097 for more information and revised driving directions. Complete details on Country Jam 2008 are available online at www.wcol.com.
CREW STADIUM TO HOST INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 22
Columbus Crew Stadium will host an international match this weekend between El Salvador's CD Firpo and Guatemala's CD Suchitepéquez. The match, which is being produced by Papa Simon Productions, is scheduled for this Sunday, June 22, at 5:30 p.m., with gates opening at 4 p.m. Tickets are general admission and are available in advance of the game for $21 and for $24 on the day of the match. Tickets are available at all central Ohio Ticketmaster outlets and via Ticketmaster phone at 614-431-3600, as well as the Crew Stadium Box Office. Please note that the I-71 17th Ave. exit is closed due to bridge repairs and visit www.crewstadium.com/?s=events&h=news&a=00097 for more information and revised driving directions. Club Deportivo Luis Angel Firpo, or simply CD Firpo, competes in the Salvadorian Primera División de Fútbol Profesional, and plays its home matches in the city of Usulután at Estadio Sergio Torres. It is known as the oldest club in El Salvador and was founded in 1923 by a group of local citizens. Club Deportivo Suchitepéquez competes in the Guatemalan Liga Nacional, the top division in the nation. CD Suchitepéquez is based in the municipality of Mazatenango, and plays its home matches at Estadio Carlos Salazar Hijo. The team was formed in 1960, and enjoyed its most successful era in the mid-1980s.
CREW'S U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION PASSBACK PROGRAM CONTINUES ON JUNE 28
As it did on June 7, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, in partnership with the Crew and Major League Soccer, will again be collecting new and gently used soccer equipment at Crew Stadium through its Passback program on June 28. The equipment collected will then be distributed within our community, to the Kids Inner-City Development Soccer (K.I.D.S.) League and the Near-East Side Inner-City Youth Soccer Program, so that others may enjoy the wonderful sport of soccer. Fans are encouraged to gather up those jerseys, shin guards, shoes, socks and soccer balls and bring them to the Crew's home matches in June to "Share the equipment. Share the Game!" Crew defender Jed Zayner serves as the local Passback spokesperson.
CREW SOCCER ACADEMY SQUADS CONTINUE QUEST FOR ACADEMY FINALS IN CALIFORNIA
The Crew Soccer Academy squads continued play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy last Saturday (June 14) as it traveled to Indiana to take on Carmel United. The U-16s opened play on the day, losing 4-1 to Carmel, with their lone goal coming from Ross Friedman. The U-18s followed with a 3-0 victory over their counterparts from Carmel, thanks to goals by Colby Catlett, David Shade and Sean Ryan. The two CSA squads are scheduled for a busy week this week, as they first welcome Bridge FA to Crew Stadium Wednesday, June 18 at 10 a.m. (U-16s) and noon (U-18s). Then, this Saturday (June 21), CSA welcomes Ohio Elite to Crew Stadium, with the U-16s kicking off at 1 p.m. and the U-18s following at 3 p.m. All games are free and open to the public.
CREW TRAINING AND GAME SCHEDULE
(Media availability at the conclusion of training; All times listed Eastern Time)
Wed., 6/18 Training at Obetz, 10 a.m.
Thur., 6/19 Depart for L.A. a.m.; Train in L.A. p.m.
Fri., 6/20 Training in L.A.
Sat., 6/21 Game at L.A. Galaxy, The Home Depot Center, 10:30 p.m. (ONN)
Sun., 6/22 Return from L.A.
Mon., 6/23 OFF
