• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Crew-United Preview

Sep 3, 2010 - 5:42 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Columbus (12-5-5) at D.C. (4-15-3), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Three days after a contentious battle in the U.S. Open Cup, last-place D.C. United may make good on its vow of retaliation against the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew.

Meanwhile, the Crew will look to add to their lead as they continue to battle for the Supporters' Shield when they visit D.C. on Saturday night.

Columbus (12-5-5) and D.C. (4-15-3) engaged in a tense match Wednesday at RFK Stadium, and the Crew emerged with a controversial 2-1 victory to advance. Columbus rallied from an early deficit and was helped by playing with the man-advantage for much of the second half.

For D.C., which has little chance of a playoff berth, the elimination was especially upsetting and led to players vowing revenge.

"I think it's going to be a battle," defender Marc Burch told United's official website of Saturday's game. "I feel like they've got a couple of dirty players out there that made some dirty plays, and I think it's going to be payback on Saturday. ... We've got to prove something against them and that will happen on Saturday."

Burch won't play after he re-aggravated a right foot injury, but his claim refers in part to a controversial call as D.C. forward Pablo Hernandez was ejected in the 59th minute after tangling with Columbus' Danny O'Rourke. Hernandez received a red card and O'Rourke was given a caution.

"He kicked me on my stomach and I sort of reacted, but I didn't hit him," Hernandez said. "I thought that the (red) card would've been for him. I was surprised."

Columbus tied the game on an own goal and then scored on a penalty kick in the 98th minute. The rematch could feature some physical play given that Hernandez's red card doesn't carry over to league play.

However, Columbus cannot afford to be too worried about what Hernandez might do. The Crew, who have a four-point lead over New York in the East, trail Los Angeles for the Supporters' Shield by two points.

"(Wednesday) was a big game for us, but Saturday's even bigger," defender Andy Iro said.

Following this match, the Crew will travel to face Los Angeles on Sept. 11.

Columbus played to a scoreless draw in its most recent league match last Saturday against FC Dallas.

D.C. lost 1-0 to Chivas USA last Sunday to drop to 1-7-2 in its last 10. United outshot Chivas 13-9.

"Really, I can't ask for much more from these guys right now," said coach Ben Olsen, who replaced Curt Onalfo on Aug. 4. "There's been a sense of urgency to get this season back on track, and we're going our best."