Oct 2, 2009 - 5:45 PM
0 shoutsBy 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.
From the Bleachers
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MLS UPDATE
SEATTLE 1
COLUMBUS 0 FINAL
Oct 3 9:49 PM -
MLS UPDATE
SEATTLE 1
COLUMBUS 1 FINAL
Oct 3 9:36 PM -
SEATTLE: 1
COLUMBUS: 0
Final
Oct 3 9:29 PM -
SEATTLE: 1
COLUMBUS: 0
End of Regulation
Oct 3 9:24 PM -
SEATTLE: 1
COLUMBUS: 0
Halftime
Oct 3 8:24 PM -
MLS UPDATE
SEATTLE 1
COLUMBUS 0
SEATTLE GOAL: Roger Levesque in the 36th minute
Oct 3 8:14 PM
