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Crew, 'Quakes make roster moves ahead of tilt

Jul 15, 2011 - 6:40 PM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - The Columbus Crew will aim to continue its recent run of good results in Major League Soccer as it hosts the San Jose Earthquakes at Crew Stadium on Saturday.

Columbus is quietly having a stellar season, compiling 27 points and sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Red Bull New York and the Philadelphia Union. The Red Bulls and the Union are tied for first with 28 points.

The Crew are 4-2 in their last six MLS matches and with a win against the 'Quakes, they can temporarily move into first place as the Red Bulls play later Saturday night and Union play on Sunday night.

Columbus returns home after a two-match road trip where it earned one win and one loss. The victory came in a thrilling 1-0 match against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 6th. Jeff Cunningham made history with his 90th minute winner as he tied Jaime Moreno for the lead on the all-time MLS scoring chart with 133 goals. Cunningham can take sole possession of that record with a goal against San Jose.

The Earthquakes are coming off of a scoreless home draw with the Union on July 9th. They are led by 2010 Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski, who has six goals so far in 2011 and was honored by his inclusion in the MLS First XI for the All-Star Game.

San Jose and Columbus do not have much in common, but one similarity they do share is that they were both involved in trades with Toronto FC this week.

The Earthquakes acquired forward Alan Gordon, defender Nana Attakora, and midfielder Jacob Peterson from the Canadian club in exchange for Ryan Johnson, allocation money, and an international player slot.

'Quakes general manager explained that the deal adds depth to the squad and breeds healthy competition for playing time.

"We haven't been happy with the performances, the three ties at home, the game at Chivas [a 2-0 defeat on July 6],' Doyle told MLSsoccer.com by phone on Thursday evening. "We got a forward, a midfielder and a defender. It puts pressure on everybody."

Columbus, meanwhile, sent defender Andy Iro and midfielder Leandre Griffit to Toronto and acquired midfielder Tony Tchani in return.

"Tony is a very good young player who we have followed for a long time, and we are thrilled to have him," said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. "He is a good passer, he's calm on the ball and he can get forward. He is going to help our team."

The match also marks the return of Steven Lenhart to Crew Stadium. The Earthquakes forward spent three seasons with the Crew from 2008-2010 before being traded to San Jose ahead of the 2011 season for allocation money and a draft pick.

In the first meeting between the two clubs this season, the Crew suffered a 3-0 loss at Buck Shaw Stadium on May 14th. Wondolowski, Lenhart, and Khari Stephenson each tallied goals for the Earthquakes.