COLUMBUS - Because the Columbus Crew have suffered so few losses over the past 12 months, any defeat leaves a burning memory and a desire to extract revenge.
The Crew have lost four times in the past 36 regular season and playoff games and have won the return match against that team on three occasions. FC Dallas presents the fourth try Saturday in Crew Stadium.
If not for surrendering a 1-0 lead to FCD on two goals in the final 10 minutes, the last a penalty kick in the 87th minute, the Crew would enter the rematch with an opportunity to tie its MLS one-season record 18-game unbeaten streak of 2004.
They had gone nine matches without a loss before the setback in Frisco, Texas and are 5-0-2 since the game of June 20.
"That's a game where in the first half we did a very good job then we let it taper off at the end. It was very disappointing," midfielder Danny O'Rourke said. "I don't know what it was, whether it was fatigue or lack of concentration."
The Crew (9-3-9) are on a roll similar to the 8-1-2 mark to end the 2008 regular season that began a year ago Sunday with a win against FC Dallas. The lone loss was to New York and the Crew got the ultimate revenge with a 3-1 win against the Red Bulls in the MLS Cup.
This year, defeats at Real Salt Lake and Chivas during a four-day span in April were avenged at home. It's all part of the team's goal not to lose a season series.
"We always preach win the season series and if you do that there's no doubt you'll be contending for the Eastern Conference championship and the Supporters' Shield. Those are two big goals for us," O'Rourke said.
Both were met last season and are within reach again. The only regular season series they lost in 2008 was New York taking two of three. The Crew beat every team at least once except for two ties vs. Chicago but they downed the Fire in the Eastern Conference Championship.
Going into a match focusing on a season series and other short-term goals such as last season improving its record on artificial turf enables the team not to look ahead.
"We've got a good locker room," goalkeeper William Hesmer said. "We've got guys with good heads on their shoulders. We don't get too carried away with what's off in the distance as far as games go. We understand you take it a weekend at a time and things will work out and if you do win season series that you'll be all right in the long run. The guys are (ticked) how it went in Dallas. They've got something to prove to them."
Crew coach Robert Warzycha feels his team is in better form than the last meeting but so is FCD (6-9-5), winners of two in a row since All-Star forward Kenny Cooper left to play in Germany. Former Crew striker Jeff Cunningham has four goals in those wins and eight of his nine goals in the past five matches.
"They've been playing well as of late. They have lot of talent," O'Rourke said. "Jeff Cunningham is somebody we have to watch. I'm sure he has a little extra incentive coming back to Columbus. He always does."
The Crew have four consecutive victories without MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto (left hamstring) while scoring 10 goals, but he will be available Saturday and could start. The team has played more direct with balls going into the box for forwards Steven Lenhart and Jason Garey instead of Schelotto being in a withdrawn position to create chances.
"We won four games in a row. The question will be 'Do we want to change it for him or not?'" Warzycha said. "Obviously if he is on the field it's going to be a little bit different. We have to do what's best for the team and for us to play against Dallas."
Columbus will be without suspended defensive midfielder Brian Carroll, who will likely be replaced by Adam Moffat. Also, defender Frankie Hejduk (right quadriceps) is expected to miss a third consecutive match.
The Crew keep rolling no matter the lineup as the 3-0 win at San Jose last week proved.
"What makes this team so good is every game we seem to find a way to win. It's not always the same way every week," midfielder Eddie Gaven said. "One week we may have to hunker down and play really good team D and take our one chance and go home. Last week we were able to win huge. It doesn't matter how we win. We're trying to get points every week. We know we're not going to play our best soccer every game. That's just how the league goes."
While the team was gaining confidence last season at this point there were still some doubters after having missed the playoffs the previous three years. The play since then has erased all uncertainties.
"Last year it was a question of, 'Are we really this good?' Are we on a good run?' I don't think the belief was fully there," Hesmer said. "This year there is no doubt after we proved what we're capable of over the past year. We're the aggressors and we feel that it's ours to take a hold of and run with it."
The Crew are atop the Eastern Conference by four points ahead of Chicago and trail Houston by two for the Supporters' Shield.
"It feels good this year talking about not just making the playoffs. That was our goal last year. Obviously we surpassed that," O'Rourke said. "It feels good to work hard and know you're goals are attainable."
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
