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Toronto FC-Crew Preview

Jul 24, 2009 - 8:43 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Toronto FC (7-6-5) at Columbus (6-3-9), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Columbus Crew are on the cusp of setting an MLS record for the longest unbeaten streak at home, and they'll have to do it without league goal-scoring leader Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Facing a team they've never lost to could make that goal much easier.

Looking to remain unbeaten for a 19th consecutive home game, the Crew will again try to withstand Schelotto's absence for a second straight week as they meet Toronto FC on Saturday night.

Columbus (6-3-9), the reigning MLS Cup champion, is 12-0-6 at Crew Stadium since falling 2-0 to San Jose on June 7, 2008. The unbeaten run equals the Earthquakes' league record set from Sept. 25, 2004-Oct. 15, 2005.

"We try to win every game ... we don't think about records," Crew coach Robert Warzycha said. "But it's something that (when) you finish the season ... it's nice to read about."

The Crew extended their streak last Saturday by beating Salt Lake 3-1 while playing without 10-goal scorer Schelotto due to a left hamstring strain.

The injury has ruled the playmaker out against Toronto (7-6-5). The Crew will also be without forward Alejandro Moreno, who has three goals, for a third straight game because of a groin strain.

With their top two forwards missing, Warzycha will likely use reserves Jason Garey and Steven Lenhart again. Garey found the back of the net twice last Saturday, and Lenhart added his first goal of the season while also getting an assist in just his second start.

"They did a very good job," Warzycha said. "They combined well together and seemed to have a lot of energy. They were very aggressive and caused a lot of problems for the defenders."

Another strong performance from the duo could help Columbus move atop the Eastern Conference. The Crew are tied with D.C. for second, one point behind first-place Chicago, but only one ahead of fourth-place Toronto.

Columbus is 3-0-5 all-time against Toronto, going 2-0-2 at home. The clubs have played to ties in each of the last four meetings, including 1-all at Crew Stadium on March 28.

TFC appeared to be headed to a second consecutive victory last Saturday, but a defensive error led to a goal with 15 minutes left as it settled for a 1-all draw with West-leading Houston.

"I'm not happy at all, 1-1 is just not good enough for me," Toronto forward Dwayne De Rosario said. "(That was) a game that I think we needed to win."

De Rosario has scored two goals in his last four games, giving him a team-high six this season. He's one shy of his total with the Dynamo from last year.

Amado Guevara, who has five goals and a team-high four assists, is struggling offensively. The midfielder has no goals or assists in his last six games after finding the back of the net twice in a 3-1 win over New England on May 23.

The Honduran international has a goal and six assists in 13 games against Columbus.