RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
The Columbus Crew embarks on a new challenge tonight as they face the Puerto Rico Islanders in the CONCACAF Champions League. Different from the regular MLS league schedule, the prestigious tournament is a contest of 24 of the best club teams in the region including the United States, Caribbean, and Central America. Columbus will play 6 games over the next 8 weeks in hopes of moving to the next phase of the competition, the knockout stage and the championship game.
The path to the knockout stage will be very difficult. The Crew only has to finish in the top two of the four team group, but was drawn into what is seen as the toughest group of the tournament. The Puerto Rico Islanders went to the Champions League semifinals last year, Mexican based Cruz Azul was a finalist in last year’s competition, and Saprissa of Costa Rica has one of the biggest home field advantages in the tournament.
Head coach Robert Warzycha is relying on winning at home, starting tonight against Puerto Rico. “The key to success is to win the games at home; we want to get off to a good start.” Winning all three home games is a priority for the coach. Achieving that will give the Crew the best shot of going through to the next round.
Islanders head coach Colin Clarke agrees the Crew have an edge at Crew Stadium, noting “the Crew are on a great run at home; we look forward to the challenge”
The Crew is in the midst of a playoff race, but Warzycha sees the Champions League as another opportunity test his squad; “We can measure ourselves against international competition”. With 14 games combined left before the end of the league season, it will also be a test of the Crew’s depth.
As the club’s attention is now divided between the MLS league games and the Champions League; the importance of the tournament is set from the top. “We get a chance to represent Major League Soccer which is we take very seriously; we represent Columbus” said Crew President and General Manager Mark McCullers.
Tickets for any Champions League home game are available from thecrew.com, 614-447-2739, or the Crew Stadium Box Office.
- Tuesday, August 18th 8 PM ET – Puerto Rico @ Crew
- Wednesday, August 26th – Crew @ Cruz Azul or Herediano
- Wednesday, September 16th 9 PM ET – Crew @ Saprissa
- Wednesday, September 23rd 8 PM ET – Cruz Azul @ Crew
- Tuesday, September 29th 8PM ET – Saprissa @ Crew
- Tuesday, October 20th – Crew @ Puerto Rico
Patrick Guldan writes about soccer for Columbus Underground and at An American Game. He can also be found on twitter @anmericangame.
I’ll be there tonight. Hoping the rain isn’t too bad.
Can’t wait for tonight! This is the first Crew game, league or otherwise, that is not on a night I have to work so far this season. Beers + Football = the Best!
CREW KICKS OFF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY WITH 2-0 WIN OVER PUERTO RICO TUESDAY AT CREW STADIUM
Press Release
Steven Lenhart scored in the 58th minute and Robbie Rogers knocked home an insurance goal in the 79th as the Columbus Crew defeated the Puerto Rico Islanders, 2-0, Tuesday at Crew Stadium in the first Group C match of the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League.
After a scoreless first half, with USL-1 Puerto Rico playing extremely defensively, Crew coach Robert Warzycha switched from four in the back to three at halftime, replacing defender Jed Zayner with Lenhart, a forward. The opening goal involved six Crew players, starting with a free kick from 30 yards by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, in his first extensive action after recovering from a hamstring strain, and finishing with Lenhart charging through the box to finish Chad Marshall’s cross.
Rogers iced the win after Eddie Gaven, another substitute, fed Alejandro Moreno in the goal area. He got a heel on the ball to send it to the far side where Rogers had an easy tap-in as the Crew continued their mastery in Crew Stadium.
Man, they look so friggin good. We could see the makings of a dynasty here in Columbus. That fan turnout was god aweful though. I’ve seen more people at a tee ball game.(Although they were playing a team that most people have never heard of.) It’s too bad the fan base isn’t bigger. I don’t really see a whole of Crew promotion around town either. And how cool would that be to take the tournament AND the MLS Cup. You should have stayed Sigi
Those midweek games are tough and Champions League ticket prices make it even tougher to go to a game. CONCACAF is pricing themselves out of filling any stadium.
The ticketing is odd. Is it possible to buy tickets to one game? I was looking at the Crew site and kept finding three packs of tickets or buy a ticket to a CONCACAF game and get a regular season ticket. They’re confusing the casual fan who may want to check out or only has the time to see one game and one game only.
I love this team. Bunch of freakin’ badasses. Every member of the squad can contribute. Makes me proud of the city. Keep it up boys!
Curious about what Renteria can do.
Best time of year coming up… tOSU football, MLS Playoffs and the NHL starting up again soon as well.