<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
<rss version="2.0">
	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News</title>
		<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com</link>
		<description>RUWT? News for Columbus</description>
		<language>en-us</language>
		<copyright>Copyright 2006-2007 areyouwatchingthis.com</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:13:47 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:13:47 GMT</pubDate>
		<generator>RUWT?</generator>

		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Real Salt Lake eliminates Columbus]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BOB STEIN
STATS MLS Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio (STATS) - It wasn't always attractive, but it was
effective and that's all that mattered to Real Salt Lake coach
Jason Kreis.

Javier Morales and Robbie Findley scored first-half goals and
Real Salt Lake advanced to its second straight conference final
with a 3-2 victory over the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus
Crew on Thursday night.

"The answer's always in the pudding," Kreis said. "This is the
first time in a long time, the first time since I've been a
coach here, that we've got any kind of result here. Or even
played a good game."

The victory, combined with a 1-0 home win Saturday, gave Salt
Lake a 4-2 aggregate win in the two-game series. After setting
an MLS record with a 24-game home unbeaten streak, Columbus
finished the season with three straight losses at home.

"If you look at the last three games ... it's not like we were
outplayed by any teams," said Crew coach Robert Warzycha.
"Obviously today was a game that we also dominated, but, you
know, somehow we gave them some goals. ... Sometimes the better
team doesn't win."

Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the reigning MLS MVP, gave the Crew
a 1-0 lead with an improbable tally off a 56-yard free kick in
the 19th minute. The ball bounced just outside the box and
passed inches beyond the reach of diving goalkeeper Nick
Rimando.

"Nobody got a head on it, and it went through," Rimando said.
"You really can't do anything unless someone clears it."

Schelotto scored again in the 35th minute. He intercepted a pass
from Salt Lake defender Robbie Russell and redirected the ball
to teammate Emmanuel Ekpo, who returned the pass. Schelotto
wrong-footed defender Jamison Olave before curling a low, hard
shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the right post.

"He was good," Kreis said of Schelotto, who was benched by
Warzycha on Saturday. "He was unbelievable. ... Sometimes
coaches make interesting decisions. (Warzycha's) decision to
insert him tonight I think lit a little fire under Mr.
Schelotto's rear end, and he was fantastic."

That gave the Crew a 2-1 cumulative lead, but it was
short-lived. In the 37th minute, Morales scored an opportunistic
goal following questionable defending in front of Columbus
goalkeeper William Hesmer.

Moments before the end of the first half, Crew captain Frankie
Hejduk was whistled for hauling down Salt Lake's Fabian
Espindola inside the penalty area. Findley drove a penalty kick
into the left side of the net as Hesmer dove to the right.

"I think the response from the guys was amazing," Rimando said.
"Earlier in the year, it wasn't like that, so I think we learned
a lot. And 2-0 became 2-2 at halftime and gave us confidence in
the second half."

Andy Williams scored in the 74th minute to give Salt Lake
additional breathing room.

In the 85th minute, the Crew's Robbie Rogers sent a pass into
the penalty area that second-half substitute Jason Garey headed
toward the goal. Rimando made a leaping, fingertip save for one
of his eight on the night.

In 2008, Salt Lake played in the Western Conference final, but
will compete this year in the Eastern finals due to MLS playoff
seedings.

Kreis said he hoped the victory would bring newfound respect for
his club.

"It'll be interesting to see this week if all those people who
were saying 'they've got no chance' are now starting to say
'they've got a chance,'" he said. "That'll be interesting."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/131682-Real-Salt-Lake-eliminates-Columbus</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/131682-Real-Salt-Lake-eliminates-Columbus</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:40:04 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Real Salt Lake-Crew Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

Real Salt Lake (11-12-7) at Columbus (13-7-10), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Guillermo Barros Schelotto never left the bench in the Columbus
Crew's playoff opener. Having him on the field for the second
leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals could provide the
offensive boost they need, but Real Salt Lake may have the
momentum.

The reigning MLS MVP will try to help the Crew muster some
offense and engineer a comeback against Salt Lake when the teams
meet Thursday night in Columbus.

The Crew are the reigning MLS Cup champion, and followed up
their first league title by going 13-7-10 to win a second
consecutive Supporters' Shield.

Much of that success has been attributed to Schelotto, who was
named league and Cup MVP last year after he had seven goals and
19 assists in the regular season before adding six more assists
in the playoffs.

The midfielder-forward, who assisted on all three Columbus goals
in the title game against New York last November, finished this
season with a team-high 12 goals and three assists, but was
rendered a spectator during Saturday's 1-0 loss at Salt Lake in
the first leg of this playoff series.

"Did you check his stats? How many goals does he have the last
four or five games since coming back from his injury? I put out
the players in my mind that can do the job and help the team,"
coach Robert Warzycha said. "Sometimes in the games you're not
scoring. Me as the coach, I have to find the solution. I'm not
saying I'm right all the time.

Warzycha hinted at putting Schelotto back in the lineup
Thursday.

"It's going to be a different game," Warzycha said. "Usually at
home we play much better. I need to see how he can best help the
team. If the team needs him he is going to play."

Columbus went 9-2-4 at home, but might need its playmaker after
losing four of its last five by 1-0 scores.

"It's always been a team that scores in bunches," midfielder
Danny O'Rourke said. "When we're hot, we're hot and when we're
not we're not."

The Crew managed just two shots on goal Saturday, as forward
Robbie Findley found the back of the net with two minutes to
play, giving RSL an advantage as it tries to return to a
conference final for a second consecutive year.

The Crew, though, beat Salt Lake 3-1 in the last meeting at
Columbus on July 18, improving to 4-1-0 all-time there.

Real's struggles on the road are well-documented. The team went
2-11-2 as visitors this season and owns a 10-51-16 all-time road
record.

"Right now, it's a different game because we won at home,"
midfielder Javier Morales said. "We need a tie there, but we
have to know that it will be a hard game. I think we have to
look for (at least) one more goal."

Findley could be key again for RSL after leading the team with a
career-high 12 goals in the regular season before getting his
first in the playoffs against the Crew. That came a week after
he scored twice in a 3-0 win over Colorado to help Salt Lake
clinch a playoff berth.

Findley's goal in the first leg was set up by fellow forward
Yura Movsisyan, who will leave the team in January to join
Randers FC of Denmark after scoring a career-high eight goals
this season.

"Anytime you come in, you want to make a difference," Movsisyan
told RSL's official Web site. "It doesn't matter whether you get
an assist, you get a goal or you shut a play down."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/131410-Real-Salt-Lake-Crew-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/131410-Real-Salt-Lake-Crew-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:36:51 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Salt Lake blanks defending MLS Cup champion Crew]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SANDY, Utah (STATS) - Clutch performances are quickly becoming a
trademark for Robbie Findley. And for the second straight week,
the speedy forward proved to be the difference maker.

Findley scored in the 88th minute to help Real Salt Lake post a
1-0 win over the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew on
Saturday in the first leg of the two-game playoff series.

The win gives Salt Lake a much-needed cushion as the teams head
to Columbus to play again Thursday.

"They wanted to come in here, bunker in and play defense and get
a 0-0 draw," RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando said. "Obviously,
getting one goal is great for us. We wanted a couple of more but
they're a tough team to break down."

Will Johnson set the scoring play in motion with a quick
throw-in to Yura Movsisyan on the left flank. Movsisyan tracked
the ball into the corner and delivered a hard cross across the
goalmouth toward the right post.

A charging Findley threaded the ball perfectly between Crew
goalkeeper William Hesmer and the post.

Findley scored twice in the first half of a 3-0 win over
Colorado last Saturday.

Still, Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis credited the latest win to
Movsisyan. He came off the bench after starting against the
Rapids and provided a major spark late in the second half.

"It's not good enough to continue with what's been going on,"
Kreis said. "That's why we make substitutions. We wanted a
little bit more and I thought Yura gave it to us."

Columbus struggled to generate much of anything on offense and
ended up being the third straight team to be held scoreless at
Rio Tinto Stadium. The Crew generated seven shots to eight for
RSL, but didn't have a shot on goal in the second half after
recording two before halftime.

Columbus coach Robert Warzycha made a curious decision to pull
reigning league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto out of the
starting lineup. Schelotto, who scored 12 goals this season, did
not play at all.

Warzycha defended the move by saying he was attempting to revive
a slumping offense after seeing the Crew - a two-time
Supporters' Shield winner - score once in its final four regular
season games.

But the results were not what he hoped to see.

"Obviously, you always go into the games to score goals,"
Warzycha said. "You cannot tell the players not to score goals.
But sometimes you cannot create chances and that's what happened
today."

RSL viewed the decision to sit Schelotto as a sign Columbus was
more concerned with forcing a draw and taking the series back to
Ohio on even ground than doing anything else.

And after seeing the Crew bunkering in and defending for 90
minutes, Salt Lake fully anticipates seeing a much different
team on Thursday.

"We're up 1-0 now, but it's not over," said Findley, whose team
went 9-1-5 at home in the regular season. "We got another
90-minute game to go. And they're going to throw everything at
us at home. We got to be sharp when we go over there."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/130471-Salt-Lake-blanks-defending-MLS-Cup-champion-Crew</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/130471-Salt-Lake-blanks-defending-MLS-Cup-champion-Crew</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:41:37 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Crew-Real Salt Lake Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN
STATS Senior Writer

Columbus (13-7-10) at Real Salt Lake (11-12-7), 6:00 p.m. EDT

The defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew earned a second
straight Supporters' Shield for the highest point total in the
league.

Their reward is an Eastern Conference semifinal opener on the
road against the team with the best home record in the league.

The Crew and Real Salt Lake will play the first leg of their
series Saturday in Utah, where the home team has lost once all
season.

Columbus (13-7-10) finished with 49 points - eight shy of its
total last season but still enough to earn another Supporters'
Shield. The Crew beat Kansas City, Chicago and New York to earn
their first MLS Cup in 2008.

"It was still special to celebrate the Supporters' Shield with
the fans and accept that trophy for two years in a row, but now
that's over and every team's on an even playing field and we
need to prepare for the playoffs accordingly," midfielder Brian
Carroll said.

Columbus earned a 1-all draw with Kansas City last year in the
first leg of the conference semifinals, and is looking for a
similar or better result to take home this time. It won't be
easy since Real Salt Lake (11-12-7) went 9-1-5 at Rio Tinto
Stadium and this will be its last game at home, where it has
scored a league-high 34 goals.

Real Salt Lake won 3-0 over Colorado behind two first-half goals
from Robbie Findley last Saturday and gained a playoff berth
when other results went its way. Last year, RSL reached the
playoffs for the first time and upset Chivas USA in the Western
Conference semis before falling to New York.

"Our guys have to truly believe right now," coach Jason Kreis
said. "I feel like it has been such an effort to make it to the
playoffs, what I'm wary of is kind of everybody taking a breath
and going, 'Ahh, we're here.'

"For me, that's not good enough, because honestly, in my mind -
and I'm not just saying this to say it - I feel like we have a
team that can beat anybody on a given day. So we have to
believe."

This matchup features two of the best forwards in the league in
Findley and Columbus star Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the
reigning league MVP. Both were part of a five-way tie for third
place in MLS with 12 goals.

The Crew are very familiar with Findley after he notched the
first hat trick in RSL history in a 4-1 victory April 2. Jason
Garey scored twice when Columbus evened the season series with a
3-1 victory July 18.

Columbus isn't entering with a lot of momentum, scoring one goal
in losing three of its last four. The Crew fell 1-0 to New
England on Sunday.

"It's not panic mode or anything," forward Steven Lenhart said.
"We have a ton of experienced guys. It's good to get it out of
our system now."

There have been two repeat champions in league history. D.C.
United won the first two MLS Cups in 1996-97 and Houston won two
straight from 2006-07.

The second leg will be in Columbus on Nov. 5.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/130088-Crew-Real-Salt-Lake-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/130088-Crew-Real-Salt-Lake-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:16:09 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Revolution earn playoff spot, beat Crew 1-0 in finale]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BOB STEIN
STATS MLS Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio (STATS) - Jeff Larentowicz scored in the 79th
minute to secure a playoff spot for the New England Revolution
with a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew on Sunday night.

The victory in the final game of the MLS regular season gave New
England (11-10-9) 42 points and a playoff berth at the expense
of the Colorado Rapids, who fell from the ranks of the eight
teams to qualify.

Larentowicz's first goal of the season came on a free kick from
20 yards. The midfielder bent his right-footed shot around the
Crew defensive wall and past goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni.

"Fantastic free kick," said New England coach Steve Nicol of the
shot that launched his side into the playoffs for an eighth
consecutive season.

"To come here on the last game of the season and needing points
was never going to be easy," Nicol said. "To get into the
playoffs is huge."

New England will face the Chicago Fire, against whom it tied two
matches in the regular season.

Columbus (13-7-10) already had secured home-field advantage
throughout the playoffs as well as the 2009 Supporters' Shield,
given to the team with the best regular-season record. The Crew
joined D.C. United as the only teams to win the Supporters'
Shield in consecutive seasons.

Representatives from Columbus supporters' groups handed the
shield to Crew captain Frankie Hejduk in a ceremony after the
game.

However, the loss was the Crew's second straight at home after a
league-record 24-game unbeaten streak at Crew Stadium.  Four of
the Crew's seven losses this season have come in their last
eight games.

Crew coach Robert Warzycha said the recent losses did not have
him concerned entering the postseason.

"It's not that we played bad in those games," Warzycha said.
"Sometimes it's just tough to score a goal, especially at the
end of the season when teams feel they have to play harder."

Columbus, which has scored only one goal in its last four games,
will face Real Salt Lake in the first round of the playoffs. The
teams faced each other twice this season, each winning on its
own turf.

Schoeni made his best save of the night to prevent an own goal
in the seventh minute. Crew midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo's attempt
to clear a Revolution pass sent the ball zipping toward the Crew
goal from close range, forcing Schoeni to dive to his left to
keep the ball out of the net.

Schoeni was placed in the starting lineup just minutes before
kickoff in place of regular starter William Hesmer, who said he
has been battling the flu since last Friday.

"We know what the next four games are all about," said Hesmer,
who was in goal for the Crew during its MLS Cup-winning run last
year.

Larentowicz tested Schoeni with a laser-like, low strike from 22
yards in the 28th minute, but Schoeni was able to gather it into
his midsection.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/128970-Revolution-earn-playoff-spot-beat-Crew-1-0-in-finale</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/128970-Revolution-earn-playoff-spot-beat-Crew-1-0-in-finale</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:21:05 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Revolution-Crew Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

New England (10-10-9) at Columbus (13-6-10), 6:00 p.m. EDT

The New England Revolution learned exactly what they needed to
do to reach the playoffs after watching the scenarios unfold
without their participation.

Now, a tie gets them in and another date with an Eastern
Conference rival.

The Revolution looks to reach the postseason for an eighth
consecutive season Sunday when they face the Columbus Crew in
the regular-season finale.

New England (10-10-9) entered the weekend as one of six teams
vying for the last two playoff spots. With five of those clubs
in action Saturday, Salt Lake secured one berth while Colorado
holds the eighth and final position, one point ahead of the
Revolution.

A win or tie for the Revs will clinch the third seed in the
conference and eliminate the Rapids. It would also secure a
first-round playoff meeting with Chicago, marking the eighth
time in 10 seasons the bitter rivals would meet in postseason
play.

"We're fortunate that we have a good bunch of pros that want to
step on the field and win games, and that's what we want to do
Sunday," coach Steve Nicol said. "We have to win the game
Sunday. We just have to show up Sunday, be ready, be prepared,
and get the job done. We have to win the game Sunday, that's all
there is to it."

New England, however, has stumbled of late, going 0-2-2 while
scoring one goal. The club played to a scoreless tie with the
Fire on Oct. 17, a week after falling 1-0 to the Crew (13-6-10).

The Revolution have struggled to score all season, netting more
than two goals in a game twice. However, they've also been one
of the stingiest teams in MLS lately, holding opponents to one
goal of fewer in their last six games.

If New England is going to reach the playoffs, it might need to
find the back of the net and Shalrie Joseph could find himself
involved, as he attempts to further make a case for MLS MVP
honors.

Joseph, known throughout his career as a defensive specialist,
has emerged as the Revolution's top offensive force this season
due to a slew of injuries. He's tied with forward Kheli Dube for
the team lead with eight goals, but the midfielder also has
eight assists - both career highs.

The Crew have already secured their second consecutive
Supporters' Shield after Chivas USA lost 1-0 at Chicago on
Thursday. That came five days after Columbus failed to do it
itself, falling 1-0 at D.C.

With home-field advantage in the East playoffs clinched, the
Crew are focused on repeating as MLS Cup champions.

"We still haven't accomplished what we want to," defender
Frankie Hejduk said. "We've accomplished a couple of our goals -
winning the Eastern Conference, getting the Supporters' Shield
... There's one more big goal to accomplish. We all know that.
Winning everything so far has been great but we'll be
disappointed if we're not holding the Cup up."

With nothing at stake for Columbus, coach Robert Warzycha is
looking to rest several players Sunday.

"The players have bruises," he said. "They have sore ankles but
they don't complain about it. I'm not saying they're injured,
but it would probably be better if they get some rest and get
ready for the first playoff game."

The Crew's first-round playoff opponent is still unknown, with
Colorado and Salt Lake as possible opponents.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/128828-Revolution-Crew-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/128828-Revolution-Crew-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:02:10 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[United boost playoff hopes with 1-0 win over Crew]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By IAN QUILLEN
STATS MLS Correspondent

WASHINGTON (STATS) - Luciano Emilio scored in the first half to
boost D.C. United's playoff hopes with a 1-0 victory over the
Columbus Crew on Saturday night at RFK Stadium.

"Today was just about grinding out a result," said D.C. coach
Tom Soehn of a night when his team was outshot 10-3 on a field
soaked with standing water and patches of mud. "The team showed
a real commitment to working hard and defending, which you need
to do at this stage of the season. ... The guys grinded one
out."

Steve Cronin made five saves in his first start for United
(9-8-12), which pulled into a tie with Toronto, New England and
Dallas for the eighth and final playoff spot at 39 points with
one match remaining for each club.

Of their three competitors for the final berth, United would
only win a head-to-head tiebreaker against Dallas.

Columbus (13-6-10), which saw Emilio Renteria red-carded for a
late foul on D.C.'s Julius James, still remains in the best
position to claim the MLS Supporters' Shield for the best
regular-season finish.

"I think we took the game to them," said Crew coach Robert
Warzycha, whose team finishes the season at home against New
England on Oct. 25. "Basically, I was happy about today's
performance. We played a good game. Just nothing went in."

United, which ends its regular season next Saturday at Kansas
City, went ahead in the 17th minute after Emilio took Thabiso
Khumalo's diagonal pass and chipped it over charging goalkeeper
William Hesmer.

Columbus' Danny O'Rourke attempted a sliding clearance off the
goal line, but the referee's assistant ruled the ball had
already crossed it.

"I cut inside and then Luci made a diagonal run so I just
slipped it right because everyone was following me instead of
Luci," Khumalo said. "I looked at the linesman first before
celebrating. Then I saw the linesman raise the flag and point
down the way, so I figured it was a goal."

Cronin, acquired on loan from the USL's Portland Timbers on
Monday, then went to work, denying Robbie Rogers' half volley
with a sprawling save in the 37th minute, and smothering Eddie
Gaven's close-range header minutes later.

"Obviously it's a dream start," said Cronin, signed as a
replacement for Josh Wicks, who suffered season-ending knee and
shoulder injuries Sept. 27. "Tom (Soehn) said at the beginning
of the week that every game, we treat it like our last game. As
long as we keep winning, I think we still have a chance."

Renteria, who entered the match in the 67th minute, had perhaps
Columbus' best scoring opportunity of the second half, but drove
his 15-yard effort well wide of Cronin's right post in the 73rd
minute. He would be sent off 10 minutes later for what appeared
to be a leg sweep at James' ankles from behind.

United's Jaime Moreno entered as a substitute in the 58th minute
to become the MLS career leader for regular-season games played
with one team. It was his 307th appearance for D.C., surpassing
Cobi Jones' 306 with the L.A. Galaxy.

"The window is getting closer and close," said Moreno, 35, of
the prospect of a looming end to his career. "But I'm still
enjoying it. We'll see what happens."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/127183-United-boost-playoff-hopes-with-1-0-win-over-Crew</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/127183-United-boost-playoff-hopes-with-1-0-win-over-Crew</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:29:31 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Crew-United Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA
STATS Senior Writer

Columbus (13-5-10) at D.C. (8-8-12), 8:00 p.m. EDT

The Columbus Crew have a chance to become the second team to win
two straight Supporters' Shields. D.C. United are hardly playing
up to the standards of the last club to accomplish that feat.

A week after clinching first place in the Eastern Conference,
the Crew look to finish with the top record in MLS for the
second straight season as they visit struggling United on
Saturday night.

Columbus (13-5-10) can secure the Supporters' Shield with a win
over D.C. (8-8-12) and a Chivas USA loss or tie against San Jose
later that night.

The Crew have two games remaining to become the first team to
top the league standings in consecutive seasons since United did
it from 2006-07.

"We have to try to win the Supporters' Shield," said defender
Gino Padula, who scored his first goal of the season in a 1-0
win over New England last Saturday night. "To win it two years
in row is not very easy."

The victory over the Revolution secured first place in the East
for the Crew, who won their first MLS Cup last season.

D.C., meanwhile, has lost three straight, all at home, and would
be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss or tie against
Columbus and a New England win over Chicago.

"Well, our playoff hopes are slim now. We've dug ourselves a
major hole," coach Tom Soehn said. "Now we're looking at
everybody else, but in the end we still have to look at
ourselves and find a way to pick ourselves out again. But it's
slim chances now. That's the reality."

D.C. hasn't played since a 2-0 loss to Chivas on Oct. 3.

Santino Quaranta will miss the last two games after undergoing
foot surgery Wednesday, leaving D.C. without one of its top
midfielders. He is expected to miss four to six months.

Quaranta, who had a similar injury in his right foot in 2006
while playing for New York, had two goals and six assists in 22
games.

United continue to explore their options in goal after Josh
Wicks (dislocated shoulder, sprained knee) was hurt in a 2-1
loss to San Jose on Sept. 27. After Milos Kocic struggled
against Chivas, D.C. acquired Steve Cronin on loan from the
lower-division Portland Timbers this past week.

Columbus has been strong at that position all season. William
Hesmer is coming off his seventh shutout and ranks third in MLS
in goals-against average at 0.94.

Hesmer had another successful game even though defender Chad
Marshall sat out with a knee injury. Marshall is expected to
miss this match, but fellow defender Frankie Hejduk and forwards
Robbie Rogers and Alejandro Moreno will be back after missing
time due to World Cup qualifier commitments.

Moreno and Rogers have a combined five goals and six assists.

Moreno scored in the 59th minute as Columbus came back to tie
D.C. 1-all July 4. Christian Gomez scored for United.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/126850-Crew-United-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/126850-Crew-United-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:27:11 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Crew beat Revs, clinch first in East]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRIAN O'CONNELL
STATS MLS Correspondent

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (STATS) - Gino Padula scored a first-half goal
as the depleted Columbus Crew clinched first place in the
Eastern Conference with a 1-0 victory over the New England
Revolution on Saturday night.

The victory gave the reigning MLS Cup champion Crew (13-5-10) 49
points - tops in the league - and an insurmountable eight-point
lead over second-place Chicago with two matches remaining.

Padula scored in the 36th minute after he launched a 35-yard
free kick that skipped through a series of players before it
lodged itself into the back of the net.

Columbus played without Chad Marshall due to injury, while
Frankie Hejduk, Robbie Rogers and Alejandro Moreno all had World
Cup qualifier commitments.

New England (10-10-8) remained in the eighth and final playoff
spot with 38 points and also has two matches remaining. The
Revolution are two points ahead of D.C. United, FC Dallas and
Toronto FC for eighth place.

"We had no quality tonight," said Revolution manager Steve
Nicol. "Whatever we did, whatever we tried, there was no quality
in it. And there's no getting away from it."

The Revolution tested the Crew early with a pair of chances that
goalkeeper Will Hemser mishandled before his defenders cleared
them out of danger.

Shortly after that, and even with league MVP Guillermo Barros
Schelotto on the bench, the Crew outplayed the Revolution for
the remainder of the match.

"We didn't get the ball, we didn't create chances," said
Revolution captain Shalrie Joseph. "We were just lackluster all
around."

After Revolution keeper Matt Reis denied a quality chance by
Steve Lenhart in the 24th minute, he was helpless to stop
Padula's long-distance lob 12 minutes later.

"It was horrible," said Nicol. "I don't know how to put it -
it's horrible, no matter how you want to look at it. Nobody's
taking charge. It's horrible goal. There was no communication."

Columbus played the final 25 minutes with 10 men after Emmanuel
Ekpo was given a straight red card for elbowing Kevin Alston on
a 50-50 ball near midfield.

Hemser then made his best save of the match in the 68th minute
when he parried a hard shot from the right flank by Sainey
Nyassi.

"A purist would say you have an extra man, so you pass the ball
around and break them down" said Nicol. "But the bottom line is
we didn't do anything with quality, so our passing wasn't good
enough to do that. "

The Revolution play their final two matches against the top two
teams in the East - at home against Chicago next Saturday and at
Columbus on Oct. 25.

"It was painfully frustrating that we didn't rise to the
challenge," said Joseph. "We didn't do what we were supposed to
do to get points."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/125805-Crew-beat-Revs-clinch-first-in-East</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/125805-Crew-beat-Revs-clinch-first-in-East</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Crew-Revolution Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

Columbus (12-5-10) at New England (10-9-8), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew are looking to move
closer to their second consecutive Supporters' Shield, while the
New England Revolution are trying to improve their playoff
chances.

One or both of those goals could take a major blow as the East
rivals meet twice in the final three games of the regular
season.

The Crew will try to overcome five absences and clinch the
conference title Saturday night when they visit the Revolution.

Columbus (12-5-10) posted the best record in MLS last year en
route to winning its first MLS Cup.

A year later, the Crew have secured a return to the playoffs and
are atop the league standings again, two points ahead of West
co-leaders Los Angeles and Houston with a game in hand. A win
Saturday would clinch Columbus' third East title and the top
seed in the conference playoffs.

The Revolution (10-9-8) are looking to reach the postseason for
an eighth consecutive time. They hold the eighth and final
position, two points ahead of the ninth-place tie between D.C.
and Dallas and three in front of Toronto FC in 10th.

Two meetings in the next three games between New England and
Columbus could change the face of one or both of those races.

"The scheduling part of it is a bit nonsensical to me, but we
have to do it," Revs coach Steve Nicol said. "The preparation
doesn't change at all. When they are away from home they'll be
defending more, and like most teams when they're at home you
expect them to be attacking more."

The Crew went 2-1-0 against the Revs last year, winning 1-0 at
Gillette Stadium on a goal by Chad Marshall to improve to 2-0-1
in the last three meetings there.

Marshall, though, will miss a fourth consecutive game with a
knee sprain, while defender Frankie Hejduk, midfielder Robbie
Rogers and forward Alejandro Moreno are not with the club due to
national team commitments for World Cup qualifiers.

Columbus is also without defensive midfielder Danny O'Rourke,
who is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the reigning league and Cup MVP,
will be looking for a better performance after missing a penalty
kick with 6 minutes to play in a 1-0 loss to Seattle last
Saturday that snapped the Crew's MLS-record 22-game home
unbeaten streak. It was the playmaker's first penalty kick miss
on nine attempts since joining Columbus in April 2007.

Schelotto, tied with the Sounders' Fredy Montero for third in
the league with 12 goals, has three goals and three assists in
four games against New England.

"When he has time on the ball he's dangerous," Revolution
defender Darrius Barnes said. "He's sitting in right behind the
forwards and sliding little balls in behind the defense. I just
feel like we have to put pressure on the ball and make sure he
doesn't have too much time by closing in and making things tough
for him."

The Revolution are enduring a 1-3-2 stretch and coming off a
1-all tie at Colorado last Saturday as they failed to capitalize
on playing with a man advantage for 31 minutes.

New England, 7-3-3 at home, will host Chicago on Oct. 17 before
visiting Columbus to end the season Oct. 25.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/125436-Crew-Revolution-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/125436-Crew-Revolution-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:42:56 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Sounders end Crew's 24-game home unbeaten run]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BOB STEIN
STATS MLS Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio (STATS) - The Columbus Crew saw its 24-game home
unbeaten streak brought to an end by the same coach who started
it.

Roger Levesque's first career goal gave the Seattle Sounders a
1-0 win over the Crew, who were led to last season's MLS Cup
championship by current Seattle coach Sigi Schmid.

"It's ironic," Schmid said. "It seems like sometimes, the same
team is on the bookends of the streak. Obviously we're a new
team, but this is a tough place to play."

Schmid would know. Not only did he take the Crew to its
first-ever league championship in 2008, but Columbus had the
best record in MLS last year as it embarked on its league-record
unbeaten run at home.

The Crew had an opportunity to extend the streak late in the
game when 2008 MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto - a player Schmid
flew to Argentina to lobby to come to Columbus - fired a penalty
kick wide left in the 84th minute.

"He's not going to miss very often," Schmid said. "So we'll take
it."

Columbus was awarded the penalty after Sounders defender Jhon
Kennedy Hurtado used both hands to push down Crew midfielder
Eddie Gaven from behind near the endline.

Columbus had not been beaten at home in 22 straight
regular-season games, in addition to two playoff matches last
season.

Levesque's goal came in the 36th minute. Midfielder Brad Evans
sent a through ball to Fredy Montero near the penalty spot that
Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer intercepted. But Hesmer was
unable to hold on to the ball and it fell to Levesque, who was
left with a tap-in into an open goalmouth.

Levesque made his second career start and was playing in place
of Nate Jaqua, who was suspended due to yellow-card
accumulation.

Seattle defender Tyrone Marshall made an acrobatic play on the
goal line in the 71st minute, flipping backwards to redirect
Steven Lenhart's header away from an open goal to preserve the
Sounders' lead.

"The ball, for some reason, didn't want to go into the net,"
Crew coach Robert Warzycha said of his team's missed chances.
"Sometimes you have games like this. But overall, our players
worked hard."

Moments later, Osvaldo Alonso nearly doubled the lead for
Seattle when his long-range shot caromed off the right goalpost
and hit Hesmer in the back, deflecting it toward the goal. But
the ball's spin caused it to take an improbable bounce and
reverse direction on the goal line.

Kasey Keller made the game's best save in the 80th minute when
he dove to his right to keep out Brian Carroll's blistering
21-yard shot.

Crew defender Danny O'Rourke was carded in the 62nd minute and
will miss the team's game against at New England on Oct. 10 due
to yellow-card accumulation.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/124300-Sounders-end-Crews-24-game-home-unbeaten-run</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/124300-Sounders-end-Crews-24-game-home-unbeaten-run</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:27:40 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Sounders-Crew Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

Seattle (9-7-11) at Columbus (12-4-10), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Sigi Schmid's tenure with the Columbus Crew was capped with
their first MLS Cup title last November, and he's already guided
the expansion Seattle Sounders FC to a championship.

Schmid will try to help the Sounders improve their playoff
chances Saturday night when he makes his first appearance in
Columbus since leading the Crew to the Cup.

Schmid joined the Crew after they finished last in the Eastern
Conference in 2005. Columbus failed to reach the playoffs in its
first two seasons under Schmid but won the Supporters' Shield
last year before capturing the MLS Cup with a 3-1 win over New
York.

The coach claimed he wanted to remain in Columbus, but a deal
with the Crew didn't materialize and he opted to sign with
Seattle. The messy breakup also included Columbus filing
tampering charges, but MLS ruled in favor of the Sounders.

Schmid has certainly carried his success over to Seattle
(9-7-11), winning the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 victory at D.C.
on Sept. 2.

That's part of a surprise season by the Sounders, who have sold
out every game at Qwest Field and are tied with Chivas USA for
sixth in the playoff race, two points ahead of ninth-place
United. They're vying to become the first expansion team to
reach the playoffs since 1998.

Seattle is 3-5-5 on the road and looking to rebound from last
Saturday's 2-1 loss at New England. It gave up two second-half
goals after Fredy Montero found the back of the net in the 6th
minute.

"We have always believed we can win on the road so we still
believe the same thing," Schmid said. "Having won on the road,
we aren't talking about something we might be able to do. We are
talking about something we have done. I think that adds to the
team's confidence level, knowing they have won on the road."

A win at Columbus might be a difficult task.

The MLS-leading Crew (12-4-10) are riding a league-record
22-game unbeaten streak at home (16-0-6) during which they've
outscored opponents 46-21.

Columbus kept that string intact last Saturday, beating Los
Angeles 2-0 on goals from Eddie Gaven and Steven Lenhart. The
Crew carried their strong home play into the CONCACAF Champions
League on Tuesday by tying Saprissa of Costa Rica 1-all.

"Our goal is to win the Supporters' Shield right now and be in
the Champions League," said coach Robert Warzycha, who was an
assistant under Schmid. "They've already won the Open Cup, which
is a huge accomplishment by an expansion team, but are trying to
make the playoffs. Those are the most important things."

Guillermo Barros Schelotto is expected to be back in the lineup
after being rested against the Galaxy. The forward is tied with
Montero for third in the league with 12 goals.

These teams played to a 1-all tie in Seattle on May 30.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/123979-Sounders-Crew-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/123979-Sounders-Crew-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:45:20 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Crew extend MLS-record home unbeaten streak to 24]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BOB STEIN
STATS MLS Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio (STATS) - A wet pitch following heavy rains and a
visit from the league's best road teams did nothing to change
the comforts of Crew Stadium, where the Columbus Crew extended
their MLS-record home unbeaten streak to 24 matches with a 2-0
win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night.

Eddie Gaven and Steven Lenhart scored goals for Columbus
(12-4-10), which leads the Eastern Conference and MLS with 46
points. Its unbeaten run at Crew Stadium includes 22
regular-season matches and two in the postseason.

The top two teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs,
while the teams with the next four highest point totals gain
berths as wild cards.

Los Angeles (10-6-11), which squandered a chance to overtake
Houston for the Western Conference lead, has 41 points and lost
for just the second time in 14 road matches (5-2-7).

The Galaxy played without David Beckham, who did not travel to
Columbus with the teammates and was scratched from the game
roster by coach Bruce Arena on Thursday because of an injured
ankle.

In the 33rd minute, Crew midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo sent a curling
20-yard cross into the penalty area to Gaven. Gaven headed the
ball back across the goal mouth and in off the left post for his
sixth goal.

Lenhart pounced on a rebound surrendered by Galaxy goalkeeper
Donovan Ricketts inside a muddy 6-yard box to net his third goal
in the 59th minute.

"To be honest with you, I enjoyed the game," Crew coach Robert
Warzycha said. "I think it was one of the best performances this
year by us, playing against a team that is playing well."

Warzycha typically has little to say about his team's run of
home games without a loss, but offered one certain prediction.

"One day, this streak is going to come to an end," Warzycha
said. "But when? We don't know. After good performances like
this, it could take a little while."

Los Angeles midfielder Chris Birchall barely missed pulling the
Galaxy to within a goal when his free kick pinged off the
goalpost in the 67th minute.

"The game had no rhythm," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "A lot
of fouls were called, a lot of yellows. Sloppy game, but I think
Columbus for 90 minutes was first to most of the plays
tonight.... They basically won most of the matchups all over the
field."

Referee Terry Vaughn issued four of the game's eight yellow
cards in a six-minute span of the second half. The first was
shown to the Crew's Alejandro Moreno, who had been on the pitch
less than two minutes after entering as a substitute for Emilio
Renteria.

Moreno's yellow came for a late challenge in the 69th minute.
Birchall was carded two minutes later for a foul against Adam
Moffat. The Galaxy's Gregg Berhalter was booked in the 73rd
minute and Lenhart in the 75th.

The Crew rested 2008 league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto and
played without 2008 defender of the year Chad Marshall, who was
out with a left knee sprain.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/122563-Crew-extend-MLS-record-home-unbeaten-streak-to-24</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/122563-Crew-extend-MLS-record-home-unbeaten-streak-to-24</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Galaxy-Crew Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA
STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (10-5-11) at Columbus (11-4-10), 7:30 p.m. EDT

David Beckham is beginning to feel comfortable in his new role
for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He may not find it as easy to settle
down at Crew Stadium.

With Beckham finally producing, the Galaxy look to deal the
Columbus Crew their first loss in 24 home games as two of
league's top teams match up Saturday night.

Though Beckham has had trouble at times this year, Los Angeles
(10-5-11) is two points behind Houston for the Western
Conference lead and has the third-most points in MLS with 41.

Beckham now appears at ease, scoring two goals in his last three
games, and he's beginning to gain the support of the fickle
Galaxy fans. He scored a goal and added an assist to lead Los
Angeles to a 2-0 win over Toronto FC last Saturday night, and
was applauded by the Galaxy crowd during a post-game television
interview.

Beckham, who has two goals and three assists in eight games, has
had an icy relationship with Los Angeles fans. He was criticized
when he played against AC Milan on July 19 after playing for the
Italian club on loan during the early part of this season.

A change of roles has helped, according to Beckham. He's now
playing in the central midfield, rather than his customary right
wing spot.

"Playing in the center, I've got a lot more options where I can
pass forward, to the right or the left," Beckham said. "If you
have enough of the ball, you can create all kinds of problems."

Beckham nearly had a second goal last Saturday, banging a
23-yard shot off the left post in the 43rd minute.

While Los Angeles has been one of the league's best teams on the
road (5-1-7), the East-leading Crew have clearly been the best
at home with an 8-0-4 record.

Columbus (11-4-10) has won four in a row at Crew Stadium and
hasn't lost there in 23 straight matches, including two playoff
wins last season.

The Crew settled for a 1-1 tie at Chicago on Sunday night in
their last contest, getting two second-half goals from Guillermo
Barros Schelotto.

Schelotto, the reigning MLS MVP, is second in MLS with 12 goals.
One of those goals came in a 1-1 tie with the Galaxy on May 17,
the teams' only meeting of the season.

Schelotto has been getting some help offensively from Robbie
Rogers, who assisted on Columbus' second goal Sunday. He has
four assists in his last six games and also scored his only goal
of the year during that span.

"I just try to put more balls into the box," Rogers said.

Schelotto and Rogers will face a Los Angeles team that got
defender Sean Franklin back in its last game. Franklin, the 2008
MLS rookie of the year, played 90 minutes in his first game
after missing nearly four months with a torn hamstring.

"Sean worked his tail off these past four months. He got himself
into the physical condition," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/122234-Galaxy-Crew-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/122234-Galaxy-Crew-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:26:46 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Schelotto's 2 goals rally Crew to tie with Fire]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (STATS) - Nothing has separated the Columbus
Crew and Chicago Fire over the past two seasons. A controversial
penalty kick and a second-half comeback engineered by Guillermo
Barros Schelotto made sure that didn't change.

Schelotto scored two second-half goals, rallying the Crew to a
2-all tie at Chicago and allowing Columbus to keep sole
possession of the Eastern Conference lead.

Schelotto, second in MLS with 12 goals, tied the game when he
converted a penalty kick with 11 minutes left.

The result - the fourth consecutive ties between these clubs -
kept Columbus (11-4-10) atop the East, three points ahead of
Chicago (10-6-10).

A disputed call led to Schelotto's tying goal.

Crew forward Steven Lenhart and Fire defender Wilman Conde
jumped to challenge for the ball in the Chicago box. Conde
appeared to hit the ball prior to Lenhart's kicking him in the
back. Referee Mark Geiger, however, ruled Conde hit Lenhart and
called a penalty on Chicago. Fire players immediately protested.

"It was unfortunate that the game ended the way it ended," Fire
coach Denis Hamlett said. "I think we all saw it. ... He decides
that that's how he's going to change the game.

"You just hope that you let the players dictate the outcome of
the game. Tonight, for sure, I don't think that was the case."

Schelotto had pulled the Crew to within one in the 55th minute,
when he headed a cross from midfielder Robbie Rogers into the
back of the net, but the reigning MLS MVP didn't venture an
opinion on the call leading to his second score.

"I don't know," said Schelotto, who snapped a personal
seven-game goal drought. "Maybe yes and maybe no."

Schelotto was also instrumental in the Crew's 2-1 win over the
Fire in last year's conference final, assisting on both goals as
Columbus went on to win its first MLS Cup title.

"It's always fun to play those guys because it's two quality
teams," said Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch, who had five saves.
"It's just very disappointing that it goes down to a play like
that, which - again - it costs us two points. We got done in by
something that should have never done us in."

Midfielder Peter Lowry scored in the sixth minute and again 29
minutes later, giving the Fire what appeared to be a safe lead
at halftime. They then gave up five shots on goal in the second
half and failed to convert three of their own, including a
last-minute bicycle kick by forward Patrick Nyarko that went
over the crossbar.

"It feels like a loss tonight," said Lowry, who has three goals
in seven games. "We did enough to win the game."

Chicago also suffered a blow in the 63rd minute, when Cuauhtemoc
Blanco hurt his left hamstring and had to be replaced. His
status is uncertain. The forward has five goals and a team-high
eight assists.

Though Chicago had to press on without its playmaker, Nyarko
still had two chances to give the Fire a late lead.

In addition to the failed bicycle kick, Nyarko got behind the
Crew defense in the final minute and had a breakaway on Will
Hesmer, but his shot went directly to the goalkeeper.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/121159-Schelottos-2-goals-rally-Crew-to-tie-with-Fire</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/121159-Schelottos-2-goals-rally-Crew-to-tie-with-Fire</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:37:15 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Crew-Fire Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BECKER
STATS Senior Writer

Columbus (11-4-9) at Chicago (10-6-9), 3:00 p.m. EDT

The top of MLS' Eastern Conference could have a much different
look after this weekend.

The first-place Columbus Crew look to open a commanding lead in
the conference, while the Chicago Fire try to move into a tie
atop the standings when they meet Sunday at Toyota Park.

The Crew (11-4-9) and Fire (10-6-9) finished first and second,
respectively, in the East a year ago, and the clubs appear
poised to secure those top two spots again this season.

With 42 points, Columbus leads Chicago by three and has a match
in hand on the Fire with six to play.

The Crew can move closer to locking up the top spot by taking a
six-point lead over the Fire with a victory in their final
meeting of the season. While a loss would significantly hurt
Chicago's hopes of finishing with the conference's best record,
a victory would move it into a first-place tie.

"We'll get a good game plan ready for them," coach Denis Hamlett
told the Fire's official Web site following last Saturday's
1-all draw with Real Salt Lake. "There's a lot on the line."

Although the Crew defeated the Fire 2-1 in last season's
conference championship en route to winning the MLS Cup, they
haven't had much luck in beating them in the regular season,
going 1-3-7 since 2006.

Columbus played the Fire to a 2-all draw at home April 25 and to
a scoreless tie at Toyota Park on July 11.

The Crew have been on a roll lately, winning six of seven league
games.

Columbus defeated West-leading Houston 2-1 last Sunday in a
match that ended with a little controversy.

Referee Jorge Gonzalez called a penalty on Dynamo defender Geoff
Cameron after he knocked over Crew forward Alejandro Moreno in
the penalty box in the final moment of regular time. Eddie Gaven
took the penalty kick and scored the winner in stoppage time.

While Columbus celebrated the victory, Dynamo players argued
with Gonzalez. Then in the tunnel leading to the locker rooms
under Crew Stadium, Houston coach Dominic Kinnear got in a brief
verbal exchange with reigning league MVP Guillermo Barros
Schelotto.

"We won. That is more important, not what is said by the Houston
coach," Schelotto told the Crew's official Web site. "It's his
problem, not my problem. We played very good, better than them
and we won."

The Fire are 1-2-1 since Aug. 19 and are hoping forward Brian
McBride can be more of a factor this week.

McBride started and played 73 minutes against Salt Lake after
missing eight league games following shoulder surgery. Despite
missing two months, he's still tied with Chris Rolfe for the
team lead with six goals.

"I'm happy to be back, but there was some rust," said McBride,
who had a goal against the Crew in April. "There's room for
improvement."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/120829-Crew-Fire-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/120829-Crew-Fire-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:43:31 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Gaven's late PK gets Crew by Dynamo 2-1]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BOB STEIN
STATS MLS Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio (STATS) -- Very little separates the top two
teams in the MLS.

Eddie Gaven scored on a penalty kick in second-half stoppage
time to give the Columbus Crew a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo
in a chippy game between the MLS Eastern and Western Conference
leaders on Sunday.

Referee Jorge Gonzalez called for the penalty after Dynamo
defender Geoff Cameron knocked over Crew forward Alejandro
Moreno in the penalty box in the final moment of regular time.

Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad dove to his right as Gaven struck
the ball the opposite way, giving the Crew their sixth win in
seven matches.

Several Dynamo players confronted Gonzalez following the match
as the Crew celebrated their last-minute victory.

"I think some guys feel (the penalty kick) wasn't a proper
call," said Houston coach Dominic Kinnear.

Crew coach Robert Warzycha obviously had a different take as his
team remained unbeaten at home this season.

"We won, so I think the referee was fine," he said. "I think it
doesn't matter if it's the first minute or the 90th minute, if
it's a foul, it needs to be called."

Columbus (11-4-9) regained sole possession of the East lead with
an MLS-best 42 points. The Crew lead Chicago by three points and
have a match in hand on the Fire with six to play.

Houston (11-8-7) has 40 points, two better than Los Angeles.

The Dynamo tied the match in the 80th minute when Cam Weaver had
an easy finish on Brian Ching's athletic crossing pass for his
fourth goal of the year.

Crew defender Frankie Hejduk scored his first goal of the season
in the 34th minute for Columbus, which hasn't lost at home in an
MLS-record 23 matches (17-0-6), including two playoff wins last
year.

Hejduk's goal followed tough play from Crew defender Gino
Padula, who battled for possession on a long corner kick and
forced Houston to concede a second corner.

League MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto sent the corner into the
penalty area, where Dynamo defender Andrew Hainault lunged in an
effort to head the ball clear, but instead deflected it into the
path of Hejduk.

The tempers of players on both teams seemed to fray as the game
wore on, culminating with the Crew's Adam Moffat and Houston's
Ricardo Clark being shown red cards following an encounter near
the center line in the 82nd minute.

"I think the emotions spilled over with the red cards, and then
the penalty kick," Kinnear said.

Ching narrowly missed tying the game two minutes before setting
up Weaver's goal when Ching headed the ball wide of an open goal
from 6 yards.

The Crew travel to Costa Rica for a CONCACAF Champions League
match against Saprissa on Wednesday and face tough league
matches against rivals Chicago, Los Angeles, and expansion
upstarts Seattle over the next three weeks.

"We're starting a stretch with regular season games and
Champions League games, and it was important for us to have a
good start," Warzycha said. "We're very happy we took the first
step and won the game."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/119370-Gavens-late-PK-gets-Crew-by-Dynamo-2-1</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/119370-Gavens-late-PK-gets-Crew-by-Dynamo-2-1</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:07:30 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Dynamo-Crew Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
STATS Writer

Houston (11-7-7) at Columbus (10-4-9), 5:00 p.m. EDT

The Columbus Crew won their first MLS Cup last year after the
Houston Dynamo took the previous two. Both clubs are considered
favorites to meet in November's final, but they haven't looked
the part recently.

The Crew and Dynamo hope long layoffs can help them rebound from
losing performances Sunday night when they conclude their season
series.

Columbus (10-4-9) and Houston (11-7-7) are vying for their
respective conference titles while trying to improve their
chances at the Supporters' Shield and home-field advantage in
the playoffs.

The Crew are coming off a 13-day layoff following a surprising
1-0 loss at league-worst New York on Aug. 30, halting their
five-game MLS winning streak. That defeat came four days after a
5-0 loss to Mexico's Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions League.

"We're going to throw those games in the trash can and move on,"
midfielder Eddie Gaven said. "We didn't play our best. We can
play so much better. It's a long season. It's nice to be able to
take a week where guys can rest their bodies. It's also just as
important to rest their minds as well."

Columbus will play 11 games in the final six weeks of the season
with four coming in the Champions League.

"It's going to be very hard, a really grueling time for us but
we have a very deep team," Gaven said.

The Dynamo also haven't played since Aug. 30, when they lost 1-0
at Colorado to fall to 3-5-4 following an 8-0-2 stretch.

"We have slipped up and it's been disappointing," defender
Andrew Hainault told the Dynamo's official Web site. "Especially
(against the Rapids), it was a game where we really felt we
should have gone there and gotten some points, but we didn't
play well.

"If we can get our heads right and play our best, the ball is in
our court and if we take care of what we need to do, we can
still win the Supporters' Shield."

Houston is also participating in the Champions League and has 10
games in six weeks leading up to the playoffs. Despite the
difficult schedule, coach Dominic Kinnear has made the team's
priorities clear.

"First goal is to make the playoffs, second goal is to try to
finish as high as we can," Kinnear said. "We control our own
destiny because we play a lot of these teams face to face and
that is the way you want it."

The Dynamo could use some improved production from forward Brian
Ching, who hasn't scored in his last five games after netting
all of his team-leading seven goals in his first 11.

A member of the U.S. national team, Ching has four goals in
eight games against Columbus, scoring in a 1-all tie at Houston
on March 21.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored for the Crew in that meeting,
and he's expected to be back in the lineup Sunday. The reigning
league and Cup final MVP has been hampered by a strained left
hamstring which caused him to miss four games before being used
as a late substitute in the last two.

The Argentine international leads Columbus with 10 goals after
scoring seven with a league-high 19 assists last year.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/119066-Dynamo-Crew-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/119066-Dynamo-Crew-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:51:47 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Richards' run gives Red Bulls 1-0 upset of Crew]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JIM HAGUE
STATS MLS Correspondent

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (STATS) \2013 No one knows why the New York
Red Bulls have now won two consecutive games after failing to
win a single contest since May. But no one is complaining about
it.

"I don't know what happened in the beginning of the season, but
we're playing at peace right now and I like it," said Red Bulls
forward Dane Richards, who made a 50-yard run with a loose ball
off a corner to give the Red Bulls a 1-0 upset over Columbus and
snap the Crew's five-game win streak Sunday night.

"Luck is coming around again for us," Richards said. "We
definitely don't want to go down as the league's worst team and
we want to give the fans something to cheer about."

The win was the second straight for the lowly Red Bulls (4-16-4)
since Richie Williams was made interim head coach after the
resignation of Juan Carlos Osorio.

"We haven't had a lot to be happy about here this season," said
Williams, who now holds a 5-3-2 career mark as a head coach,
also having a stint as an interim coach in 2006. "To win for a
second straight time is a great feeling for all of us. We want
to play for pride and for one another. It's been a tough year,
an unfortunate year. Maybe sometimes change is a good thing and
maybe this change helped in a good way. I can't put my finger on
it."

First-place Columbus (10-4-9) lost for the first time since June
20 but still holds a one-point lead over Chicago in the Eastern
Conference.

Richards scored his third goal of the season off a spectacular
run following a Columbus corner attempt in the 63rd minute.

It was broken up by midfielder Seth Stammler and the ball rolled
out to near midfield, where Richards ran onto it.

Richards carried the ball more than 50 yards, with only
midfielder Brian Carroll as the lone player back for the Crew.
Richards juked and danced his way past Carroll with a series of
four moves, then fired a right-footed shot that rolled past Crew
goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum.

"The first thing I thought was that I was going too fast,"
Richards said. "I was going all over the place. But when I saw
there was only one guy to beat, I pushed him back into the box,
made a few moves and then finished it."

"Anytime you have Dane in the open field with his speed, I'll
take that," Williams said. "He made a great move and got the
shot off."

The Crew started a makeshift lineup, with usual starters
Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Danny O'Rourke, Robbie Rogers and
Alejandro Moreno on the sidelines. Rogers and Moreno later
entered as reserves and Schelotto entered the game in the 88th
minute.

"I know they didn't have some of their key guys, but I didn't
look at it like it was a second lineup they sent out there,"
Williams said. "They're the defending champions. They're a good
team no matter what. They didn't take it any easier on us."

The Red Bulls had the better of the scoring opportunities,
including in the 59th minute when forward John Wolyniec bounced
a shot off the right post. Juan Pablo Angel just missed in the
32nd minute with a header.

Columbus' best chance to score came in the 25th, when Chad
Marshall's shot was stopped at the goal line by Red Bulls
defender Danleigh Borman.

Bouna Coundoul, starting his third game with the Red Bulls since
his trade to New York from Colorado June 29, made one save for
his 17th career shutout, his first with his new team.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/116121-Richards-run-gives-Red-Bulls-1-0-upset-of-Crew</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/116121-Richards-run-gives-Red-Bulls-1-0-upset-of-Crew</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:26:22 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Crew-Red Bulls Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE LIPKA
STATS Writer

Columbus (10-3-9) at New York (3-16-4), 6:00 p.m. EDT

The Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls met last year with the
MLS Cup on the line, but right now only one of those clubs has
realistic plans to return to the league title match.

The club with the fewest losses in MLS and the team with the
fewest victories meet Sunday when the defending champion Crew
seek a sixth straight win and fourth straight shutout in league
play as they visit the woeful Red Bulls.

When Columbus won 3-1 in last year's final game to clinch its
first league championship, the team also sent New York into a
tailspin. The Red Bulls (3-16-4) have been outscored by nearly a
full goal per game during their moribund campaign.

While New York went on an 0-11-2 slide that finally ended with a
3-2 victory over FC Dallas on Sunday, the Crew (10-3-9) have
been on another kind of streak, with only one league loss since
April 5. They are 10-1-7 over that span, including an eight-game
unbeaten run since a 2-1 loss to Dallas on June 20.

Columbus and Chicago are vying for the top spot in the East,
with the Crew having allowed fewer goals than any of their
conference rivals. Their opponents haven't scored in any of
their last three MLS games, running their winning streak to a
season-best five to match their longest run from last year.

"Everyone's done well. Anytime you get five wins in a row at
this point in the season that's the type of run you need to go
on," defender Frankie Hejduk told the league's official Web
site. "Everyone's doing his job, filling his role."

The Crew will be seeing their first MLS action since Aug. 15,
when they beat Dallas 2-0, but will have a quick turnaround from
Wednesday's 5-0 loss at Cruz Azul in a CONCACAF Champions League
matchup.

New York will try to take advantage. Last Sunday's victory was a
long-awaited one for the Red Bulls, whose previous win came on
May 8. They continued to have problems defensively, as they've
allowed a league-high 41 goals, but Juan Pablo Angel scored
twice with the game-winner coming in the 88th minute.

"We managed to win after a very difficult year and I hope this
gives us a great boost going into the last stretch of the
season," Angel said. "We have seven games left and I guess if we
play like this we will probably have a little bit of a chance."

This match will featured two of the top goal-scorers in MLS, as
Columbus' Guillermo Barros Schelotto enters with 10 goals. Angel
has nine of New York's 19 tallies.

The location of the game - Giants Stadium - is the only thing
preventing the match from being almost historically lopsided on
paper.

The Crew are unbeaten in 20 straight home games and the Red
Bulls have not won on the road in the regular season in 24
matches since May 10, 2007, a combination that added up to a 1-0
Columbus win at home on June 27.

But the Crew have been mediocre on the road and New York is
3-5-3 at home.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[soccer]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/115836-Crew-Red-Bulls-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/soccer/news/115836-Crew-Red-Bulls-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:06:50 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
	
			
	</channel>
</rss>









