The MLS Cup-champion Columbus Crew fell to D.C. United, 2-1, Tuesday morning at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., in its first preseason exhibition match of 2009.
The match was an energetic, up-and-down affair as both sides looked to hit the ground running and make a good first impression for the upcoming season. The Crew recorded its lone tally in the 58th minute, off an unassisted goal by forward Jason Garey.
The Black and Gold will train Wednesday morning before taking the field for exhibition matches this Thursday (Feb. 12) at 11 a.m., against the Puerto Rico Islanders (USL1), and Saturday (Feb. 14) at 10 a.m. vs. the U.S. Under-20 National Team.
Columbus Crew vs. D.C. United (Exhibition)
February 10, 2008 - IMG Academies (Bradenton, Fla.)
Scoring Summary:
D.C. - Luciano Emilio 22
CLB - Jason Garey 58
D.C. - Chris Pontius 76
Crew Lineups
First Half - Andy Gruenebaum, Jed Zayner, Andrew Peters, Danny O'Rourke, Chris Clements, Emmanuel Ekpo, Duncan Oughton, Brian Carroll, Alex Grendi, Eddie Gaven, Steven Lenhart
Second Half - Andy Gruenebaum, Paul Gerstenberger, Andy Iro, Chad Marshall, Cory Elenio, Ty Shipalane, Brian Carroll (Eddie Gaven 67), Stanley Nyazamba, Pat Noonan, Jason Garey, Guillermo Barros Schelotto
MORENO RECALLED TO VENEZUELA NATIONAL TEAM FOR FRIENDLY VS. GUATEMALA
Crew forward Alejandro Moreno has been called up to the Venezuela National Team for its friendly match vs. Guatemala this Wednesday (Feb. 11) at Estadio Jose Encarnacion Romero in Maracaibo, Venezuela. He joins Crew teammates Frankie Hejduk (U.S.) and Robbie Rogers (U.S.) on the Crew's list of international call-ups for tomorrow's FIFA match date. The call-up is Moreno's first with the Venezuelan National squad in 2009. Moreno was called up three times with the Venezuelan side in 2008, and scored his first international goal in Venezuela's 4-1 victory over Syria in an international friendly on Aug. 20, 2008.
U.S. VS. MEXICO MATCH SET FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT CREW STADIUM
Crew Stadium will host the home leg between the United States and Mexico in final-round World Cup qualifying on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The USA's most anticipated match of the final round will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN2HD and Univision, as well as on the airwaves via Futbol de Primera. The sold-out game marks the third-consecutive time that a capacity crowd will pack Crew Stadium for the final round home leg between the United States and Mexico. Fans from 43 states, and the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico have purchased tickets to the match, which will be the sixth World Cup qualifier hosted by Crew Stadium. The U.S. has a 3-0-2 record in qualifying and an unbeaten 4-0-3 all-time record in Crew Stadium.
CREW RECEIVES AWARD OF DISTINCTION FROM TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF COLUMBUS
The Crew was honored to receive an Award of Distinction at the 54th Annual Touchdown Club of Columbus Sports Award Banquet on Saturday (Feb. 7). Crew President & General Manager Mark McCullers accepted the award on behalf of the 2008 MLS Cup champs and its fans. Other honorees included former Ohio State head coach John Cooper, current Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, Florida State safety Myron Rolle and Ohio State players Chris Wells, James Lauranitis and Kurt Coleman.
CREW SOCCER ACADEMY SQUADS RESUME DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY PLAY IN MICHIGAN
The Crew Soccer Academy squads will resume play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy this weekend as they travel to Michigan to take on Derby County Wolves and Vardar. Both CSA sides will take on Derby County on Saturday, (Feb. 14) in Wixom, Mich., with the U-16s opening play at 3 p.m., followed by the U-18s at 5 p.m. The CSA teams will then face Vardar on Sunday (Feb. 15) in Pontiac, Mich., with U-16s playing at 10 a.m. and the U-18s following at 12 noon.
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