• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Crew hoping to start new unbeaten run vs. Rapids

May 10, 2013 - 7:45 PM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - The Columbus Crew will aim to start a new home unbeaten streak on Saturday when the club welcomes the Colorado Rapids to Crew Stadium.

Columbus saw its 12-game undefeated streak at home come to an end last weekend when it fell to Red Bull New York in a 1-0 loss.

The Crew had a tremendous opportunity to grab the opening goal in the match when Brandon Barklage brought down Eddie Gaven in the box to hand the home side a penalty kick, but Federico Higuain's ensuing attempt from the spot was denied by Luis Robles.

Columbus was left to rue that miss when Tim Cahill popped up 10 minutes from time with the game's only goal.

"I think we were superior during the 90 minutes and all the chances we had, whether in (the run of) play, or the PK or free kicks, we weren't able to turn them into goals," said Higuain. "(I'm) just sad. I had the opportunity to convert that into a goal and I just couldn't this time. Very sad after the situation that could have given the Crew a win but after that, all that's left is to keep working and to try to keep improving."

The Crew have proven to be dangerous on set pieces this season, entering the weekend tied with FC Dallas for the league lead with five goals from dead-ball situations. They were denied by New York's organized defense last weekend, but will Colorado be quite as prosperous?

The Rapids come into the match on the back of a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park last Saturday.

Edson Buddle picked up the lone goal of the match, striking in the 86th minute to open his scoring account with the club he joined during the off-season.

All three of Colorado's victories this season have come by 1-0 scores. The club's offensive output has left a lot to be desired as the Rapids have managed more than one goal just once through their first 10 games of the new season.

"It's going to come. I think we know that," Buddle said. "The good thing is that we are getting chances. It would be a bad thing if we weren't getting any chances. We have good players that find themselves in dangerous positions, and we'll put those chances away."

Both Colorado and Columbus have managed 12 points so far, though the Rapids have played one more match than the Crew.