Crew 2 - 2 Revolution
Final
  for this game

Crew-Revolution Preview

Sep 24, 2010 - 7:59 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Senior Writer

Columbus (13-7-5) at New England (7-14-4), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Columbus Crew are atop the Eastern Conference standings, but they've been embarrassed in their previous two games against Western foes.

Facing another Eastern opponent could be just what they need to bounce back.

The Crew have won nine of 10 matches within the conference, and they'll look to stay perfect in five road games against the East versus the struggling New England Revolution on Saturday night.

Columbus (13-7-5) had picked up seven points in its previous three games before heading to Los Angeles on Sept. 11, when the league-best Galaxy handed it a 3-1 loss.

A trip back home didn't help the Crew rebound. Seattle's Blaise Nkufo had a hat trick in a 4-0 win in Columbus last Saturday that dropped the East leaders to 4-6-5 against the West.

"This is a game that's unacceptable for us playing at home in front of a great crowd," midfielder Eddie Gaven said. "To go out and lose a game like that 4-0 is something that should never happen."

The Crew's dominance of the East, however, has helped them stay atop their own conference. Columbus is 9-1-0 in intraconference matchups, and a perfect 4-0-0 on the road.

"It's difficult to pinpoint, because the past couple years the East was the (conference) that normally had the stronger record," defender Andy Iro said.

The Crew may not be at full strength when they visit New England (7-14-4), though. Forward Emilio Renteria suffered a groin injury in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League, and he'll be held out Saturday.

Two-time MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall (jaw) may join him on the sidelines, as will fellow defender Gino Padula (left ankle) and midfielders Robbie Rogers (knee) and Danny O'Rourke (back).

Leading scorer Guillermo Barros Schelotto, however, is likely to play despite Gillette Stadium's FieldTurf. Schelotto has been held out of previous matches that are held on artificial surface, but Warzycha said he's set to go this time.

The Revolution would prefer to see as few offensive threats as possible. They've allowed an East-high 43 goals, including one Wednesday that cost them a pair of unlikely points.

Shalrie Joseph and Ilija Stolica's goals gave New England a 2-0 lead at FC Dallas, but the hosts rallied with two late strikes - one in the final minute of stoppage time - to salvage a draw that extended its unbeaten streak to 16 games.

The Revolution refused to be discouraged despite blowing a chance for their second road win.

"The effort was awesome tonight," defender Chris Tierney told the team's official website. "I think had we put that effort forth in other games this year, we would've had more wins."

Columbus, which is 12-10-3 all-time in Foxborough, beat the Revolution 3-2 at Crew Stadium on May 8 behind a Rogers goal in the waning moments.

Rookie Zak Boggs, who scored both New England goals, remains out as he recovers from a June concussion.






Related News