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Crew-Revolution Preview

Oct 9, 2009 - 3:42 PM 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.