It is a match many have been waiting months for, ever since the drama that surrounded the sudden relocation of one of the league's top strikers.
Week 18's MLS Live Game of the Week, which will be available on MLS LIVE across the United States and Canada, will see Kei Kamara go up against his former club Columbus Crew SC for the first time. Kamara and the New England Revolution welcome Crew SC to Gillette Stadium on Saturday (7:30 pm ET), and there are so many intriguing storylines heading into this Eastern Conference clash that you will not want to miss it.
Here are the top three reasons why the game is a must-watch:
- KAMARA vs. COLUMBUS: Ever since Kamara's very public and very messy exit from Columbus back in May, observers across the league have been anxiously anticipating his first meeting vs. Crew SC. Not only is Kamara sure to be motivated to play his former side, but how he and his former teammates greet and treat one another before, during and after the match will be of much interest. Federico Higuain, the player who Kamara was outspokenly critical of before being traded, will miss the match because of injury. Still, Kamara will be eager to play this one, especially after just opening his Revolution account with a brace last weekend.
- THE OTHER KAMARA: While Kei will be the center of attention, the Revolution would be wise to not lose sight of opposite number, Ola Kamara (no relation). Having earned more minutes at Crew SC after Kei's departure, Ola Kamara has proven a solid replacement. He has scored seven goals in 10 matches this season, and all of those have come in his last five appearances (four starts).
- FIRST OF THREE: This meeting is about more than just one or two players. The game also marks the first of three encounters this season between the two struggling Eastern Conference sides, and there is plenty at stake as the teams try to take points off of one another in an attempt to jump into the playoff picture. Tension was always going to be high due to Kei Kamara's history with Crew SC, but the fact that both teams are trying to avoid missing the playoffs and will play twice more this year certainly adds to all of it.
