Crew Face Toughest Test of Season Tomorrow

The Columbus Crew returns to playoff action on Thursday evening against Real Salt Lake at Crew Stadium. The team is an unfamiliar spot. They are down a goal in the two game series after losing 1-0 on Saturday night in Salt Lake City and will need to make the most of their outstanding 9 wins, 2 losses, and 4 ties record at home.

Columbus must score to have any hope of moving to the next round. The team that scores the most total goals in the series will advance to the Conference Championship Game on November 14th. The Crew have gone 3 games without scoring a goal.

Both the team and the fans think that the fans at Crew Stadium will make the job a little easier. Defender Jed Zayner sees the fans, especially the Nordecke supporter’s section, giving an extra edge to the team, “They are the ones that give us our passion to play. Were encouraged when more and more people come out.”

Attending a rally at Easton on Tuesday night, supporter Lynley Carey agrees that will be an advantage for the team. “We are the “12th man for the Crew and by the end of Thursday evening I probably won’t have a voice (after cheering so hard)”

Even despite the loss last weekend, Coach Robert Warzycha thinks the team is in a good position to take the series with Real Salt Lake, partly relying on the home field advantage “This team is up to the challenge. We are a very good home team, we are going to do everything to win the game”

After leaving start forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto on the bench in game 1, Warzycha dismissed any controversy about who will play on Thursday, “My mind is clear about who is going to be on the field.” After playing defensively away from home, the coach will look to open up the offense and score some much needed goals.

“This is a team that finds a way to get the job done. The team is going to bring it and the crowd really fuels that” noted General Manager Mark McCullers. He shares his coach’s confidence that the Crew will be able to take care of business and get one step closer to winning a 2nd consecutive MLS Cup.

Carey is going to do her part to help the Crew win and move on, “I plan on being there, cold temperatures has never stopped me before and certainly won’t stop me Thursday night.”

The Columbus Crew host Real Salt Lake at 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 5th. Tickets are available at the Crew Stadium Box Office, thecrew.com, and Ticketmaster outlets.

Patrick Guldan writes about soccer for Columbus Underground and at An American Game. He can also be found on twitter @anamericangame.