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 The New York Red Bulls can take over the top spot in the Eastern Conference when they take on the first place Columbus Crew on Saturday at Crew Stadium at 7:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: WADO 1280 AM). viewing party
New York enters the match unbeaten in five league matches, dating back to a June 2 victory over the Houston Dynamo. Since then, New York is 3-0-2, and has displayed a stingy defense as it has conceded just two goals in the five match span, and has kept clean sheets in three of its past four matches. After opening the season with 13 straight matches without a draw, New York has drawn its last two contests. In the table, the Red Bulls’ 26 points trails Columbus by just two.
The Crew host the Red Bulls as the leaders in the Eastern Conference. Columbus has 28 points through 14 matches, compiling a record of 8-2-4. The two-time defending Supporters’ Shield holders employ the most potent offense in the conference, as their 20 goals scored is tops in the East and fourth overall in the league. Leading the way is 2008 MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who leads the club in goals with five and assists with four. Former New York draft choice Eddie Gaven also has asserted himself in the Crew attack, notching three goals and three assists. The Crew are also coming off of a scoreless draw, as they leveled at Houston last Saturday in Texas.
The New York-Columbus fixture dates back to the league’s inaugural 1996 season. This will be the 50th match between the teams, and through the first 49, the teams are dead even. New York is 22-22-5 against the Crew all-time, but in Columbus, the Crew hold the slight advantage as New York is 9-13-2 all-time. This will be the second and final meeting between the teams in 2010. Back on May 20, the Crew defeated the Red Bulls 3-1 at Red Bull Arena. Gaven and defender Andy Iro scored minutes apart in the first half to give Columbus a lead at the break. Tony Tchani’s first career goal pulled one back for New York, but it was erased by Emilio Renteria’s strike late in the second half.
Image courtesy of Studio 79 |
