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Rapids-Crew Preview

Aug 20, 2010 - 6:35 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

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

While the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew have a comfortable lead in the standings, lack of scoring is a big concern.

After being blanked in their previous game, the Crew will try to bounce back Saturday night when they host the Colorado Rapids.

Columbus comes in with a six-point lead over second-place New York, but the Crew have dropped two of their last three games including a 2-0 defeat last Saturday to Real Salt Lake.

Though Columbus also leads the East with 28 goals, it's scored more than two only once since a 3-1 victory on May 20 at New York.

Injuries are a big reason for the Crew's offensive shortcomings. They were without five regulars last week, although Eddie Gaven (concussion) and Andy Iro (right knee inflammation) may face Colorado. Robbie Rogers (left knee cyst) remains out and Brian Carroll (illness) and Gino Paula (left knee inflammation) are doubtful.

"You could go all the way down the line with the injuries we had, but that's no excuse," goalkeeper William Hesmer told the Crew's official website.

Columbus - 8-2-0 at home in 2010 - is hopeful Gaven's possible return could provide a boost. The midfielder, who has three goals and three assists, has missed two games since taking a knee to the head July 31 in a 3-1 loss to Chivas USA.

"It will be good because we have so many games coming up," said Gaven, who played Wednesday in a 1-0 win over Municipal in a Champions League match. "I don't know if I'm going to play or for how long, but if I do, it would be nice to get back into the feel of the game."

The Crew will be looking for better results than the last time they faced the Rapids. Columbus managed one shot on goal, and Drew Moor scored in the 85th minute to give Colorado a 1-0 win.

The Rapids (7-5-7) have gone 1-2-6 since defeating the Crew, and are coming off a 1-1 draw against expansion Philadelphia last Saturday.

Despite having leading scorer Conor Casey back in the lineup after missing the previous two contests with headaches and blurry vision, Colorado was outshot 13-7. Casey came in as a substitute in the second half.

"(Casey) could have started the game, but I wanted to make sure to get him the right amount of football going into next week," coach Gary Smith told the Rapids' official website.

Colorado hopes Casey and Omar Cummings can help an anemic offense. Though they have combined for 12 goals, the Rapids have scored 21 this year to tie San Jose for fewest in the West.

Colorado is one point behind fourth-place Seattle.

Columbus defeated Colorado 1-0 at home on Aug. 1, 2009, and haven't lost at home to the Rapids since a 2-1 defeat in 2004. They are 4-0-1 at Crew Stadium since.