The Crew takes to the road for the second straight week, this time paying its first-ever visit to Toronto to take on expansion club Toronto FC at BMO Field Saturday (Sept. 22). Columbus (6-9-10, 28 pts.) is coming off a heartbreaking 3-2 setback at Kansas City this past Saturday.
In that game, forward Alejandro Moreno notched his team-leading fifth goal of the season, while substitute Andy Herron notched his fourth of the campaign, and Columbus took a 2-1 lead into second-half stoppage time. But a controversial penalty-kick call led to the first of two Wizards goals in added time, improbably turning the tables on the Crew, which had played valiantly in the absence of suspended stars Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Frankie Hejduk.
Saturday's match, which kicks off at 3:45 p.m. (ET), will be televised live locally on ONN, with Dwight Burgess and Bill McDermott calling all the action and Katie Witham reporting from the sidelines. The Crew will host a viewing party in Crew Stadium's Huntington Club, for which doors will open at 3 p.m. Snacks will be provided and additional food and beverages will be available for purchase. The game can be heard live in English on The Brew @ 105.7 and on-line on TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com, with Neil Sika behind the microphone, as well as in Spanish on Radio Sol WXOL 1550-AM.
The Crew and Toronto FC meet for the third and final time this season and for the only time at BMO Field. The last time the two teams met, Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored both goals in a 2-0 Columbus win at Crew Stadium on July 22. The teams played to a 2-2 tie in Columbus on May 26 with Andy Herron scoring both Crew goals.
Toronto (5-13-6, 21 pts.) is in the midst of a nine-game goalless drought and its winless streak was extended to 10 games by a 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake on Saturday. The Crew is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference and 10th overall in the playoff race, just one point behind Colorado (7-10-8, 29 pts.) and two points behind Chicago (8-10-6, 30 pts.).
COLUMBUS CREW at Toronto FC
Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 3:45 p.m. (ET) at BMO Field
National Television: N/A; Local Television: ONN
Crew Radio: The Brew @ 105.7 (English); Radio Sol WXOL 1550-AM (Spanish)
Crew Webcasts: TheCrew.com and MLSNet.com (English)
O'ROURKE TO BE HONORED AT WORTHINGTON KILBOURNE SOCCER GAME THURSDAY
Crew midfielder Danny O'Rourke will be honored by his high school alma mater, Worthington Kilbourne, this Thursday, Sept. 20, at halftime of the Wolves' 7:30 p.m. soccer game vs. DeSales. O'Rourke was a senior captain on Kilbourne's 2000 Division I state championship team and a framed Crew jersey that will be unveiled at Thursday's ceremony will go on display in the WKHS Athletic Hall of Fame alongside the photo of that championship squad. From Kilbourne, O'Rourke went on to star in college at perennial national-power Indiana, where he won the Hermann Trophy as college soccer's top player as a senior. He is now in his third professional season and first with his hometown team, following one each in San Jose and New York. The interactive Crew Soccer Tour will be on hand pregame, from 5:30-7:15 p.m.
CREW PLAYERS TO VISIT PATIENTS AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WEDNESDAY
Crew players, including midfielder Ned Grabavoy, are scheduled to visit with patients at Children's Hospital this Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 2-3 p.m.
CREW FANS TO 'BLACK OUT' THE GALAXY AT CREW STADIUM SEPT. 30; LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Fans attending the nearly sold-out game against the Galaxy are encouraged to show their support for the Black & Gold by wearing black attire to Crew Stadium that night. The "Black Out" is intended as a rallying point for Crew fans in attendance, while also providing an electric atmosphere for a match that is sure to have MLS playoff implications. While Crew fans are encouraged to don any piece of black attire for the September 30th contest, limited edition "09.30.07 Black Out" shirts will also be available for purchase that night in the Crew Gear merchandise store, while supplies last. Crew Stadium's permanent and auxiliary seating have been sold in their entirety for the match against Los Angeles, but standing-room-only tickets are still available.
DON'T MISS 'CREW CORNER' THURSDAYS AT 6 and 6:30 p.m. ON CSN
The Columbus Sports Network (CSN) produces and airs a weekly magazine show dedicated solely to the Crew, called 'Crew Corner.' Hosted by Dionne Miller, the 30-minute program is refreshed each week with compelling content that is unique and dynamic, including "behind the scenes" perspectives and profiles about players, coaches and team officials; glimpses into the teams' participation in a variety of community and charitable activities; and game and league highlights. Each episode of 'Crew Corner' will air first on Thursdays at 6 p.m., and be replayed immediately afterward at 6:30 p.m. In addition, every show will be replayed repeatedly at different times throughout the following seven days to make it conveniently available to fans.
CREW TRAINING AND GAME SCHEDULE
(Media availability at the conclusion of training; All times listed Eastern Time)
Tues., 9/18 Training at Obetz, 10 a.m.
Wed., 9/19 Training at Obetz, 10 a.m.
Thur., 9/20 Training at Obetz, 10 a.m.
Fri., 9/21 Depart for Toronto a.m.; Training in Toronto p.m.
Sat., 9/22 Game at Toronto, BMO Park, 3:45 p.m. (ET)
Sun., 9/23 Return from Toronto
Mon., 9/24 OFF
