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US: MLS Preview- Columbus v New England [Wed Sep 21st, 2005]
Columbus Crew (9-14-3, 30 pts) v New England Revolution (15-6-6, 51 pts)
When: Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Where: Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Both teams come into this match off disappointing losses, games that they both felt they should have won. The Revs lost to the Metros in a 5-4 shootout while the Crew dropped a 2-1 decision to Chicago, both games being decided in the final ten minutes.
Bouncing back in this game should be easier for the visitors though, as the Crew don’t have the horses, either in the front or back, to stay with the Revolution.
Columbus haven’t beaten New England in the past seven meetings, including the two games that saw the Revs knock the Crew out of the playoffs in 2004. This season the Black and Yellow have dropped all three decisions, giving up nine goals in the process.
Should that trend continue, New England will end the Crew’s chances at the 2005 post-season. Columbus did welcome back striker Edson Buddle to bolster their attack last weekend, but nothing else has changed since their latest loss to the Revs, just two weeks ago.
Their attack needs to start with Kyle Martino, but he hasn’t had much success going against New England’s defence, especially Shalrie Joseph.
Taylor Twellman has feasted on the Crew this season, tallying three goals and an assist in two matches. Look him to continue lighting up the scoreboard — he has six goals in his last six MLS games — as New England will want some revenge after their loss on the weekend.
Even with Buddle back in the mix, keeper Matt Reis and his defence should be able to shut them down as they return to the form that averaged just one goal per game against since the All-Star Break, prior to last week’s aberration. With the win, New England will clinch the first playoff birth in the East and celebrate with a few Buck-a-Brats in the locker room.
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