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Crew-Fire Preview

Oct 7, 2010 - 5:55 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Columbus (13-7-7) at Chicago (7-11-8), 9:00 p.m. EDT

The Columbus Crew's poor play is starting to bring back memories of last year's struggles down the stretch.

They Crew will try to end their four-game winless slide in MLS play and regain the top spot in the Eastern Conference when they visit the Chicago Fire on Friday night.

Columbus (13-7-7) has gone 0-2-2 in its last four league matches to fall one point behind New York in the East, with four games left for both teams. The Crew have been hampered by a busy schedule in which they have been playing in CONCACAF Champions League games and U.S. Open Cup contests, while the Red Bulls have not.

"Sometimes you can't pick how you want to finish," Columbus leading scorer Guillermo Barros Schelotto said. "You get to the end of the season the best way you can. We need to work harder and touch up a few things."

Last year, the Crew won once in seven matches in all competitions after Oct. 1, then were upset in the first round of the playoffs by eventual MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake.

Columbus missed a chance to win a trophy Tuesday with a 2-1 loss at Seattle in the U.S. Open Cup final. Kevin Burns gave the Crew the lead in the 25th minute, but that ended up being the club's lone shot on goal.

"It's obviously disappointing because we lost the final, it's not only the game, but we lost the Cup final," coach Robert Warzycha said. "So we're disappointed. But I think we're mentally strong and we're going to see a good team on Friday against Chicago."

This will be the third game in seven days for Columbus, which drew 0-0 with San Jose last Saturday. That result allowed New York to move into first place with its win over Kansas City.

"I don't think anybody is panicking," backup goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum said. "We've been on a downward spiral a little bit but it only takes one game and we've got a game on Friday to turn it around."

Chicago (7-11-8) will be eliminated from playoff contention if it fails to win Friday. The Fire fell to 1-6-2 in their last nine with a 3-0 loss at FC Dallas on Saturday, the fifth time in six games they have been shut out.

Designated player Nery Castillo will return for Chicago after missing the last three matches with a hamstring injury. Defender Gonzalo Segares will be back after missing the last two with a leg problem.

Rookie goalkeeper Sean Johnson won't be available Friday after he suffered a right eye injury in practice Tuesday. Andrew Dykstra will take his place.

Columbus won 2-1 at home over Chicago on July 3. All three goals came in a three-minute span to close the first half.