CREW SC TO PLAY IN EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE SIXTH TIME
Columbus Crew SC continues its 13th all-time Major League Soccer postseason run by facing off against the New York Red Bulls in the 2015 Eastern Conference Championship. This is set to be the third-ever postseason series meeting between the two MLS originals, with the Black & Gold winning both prior match-ups: the 1998 Eastern Conference Semifinals and the MLS Cup 2008.
CREW SC POSTSEASON ALL-TIME RECORD CROWD EXPECTED
Earlier this week, Columbus Crew SC announced that this match is officially sold out. With expected standing room capacity as well as the addition of temporary bleachers on the stage on the north side of the venue, Crew SC will set the record for the largest-ever Black & Gold home postseason crowd in club history, which was previously 20,883 on September 22, 2001 against San Jose. The 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals Second Leg against Montreal featured an attendance of 19,026, which was, at the time, the third-largest Black & Gold postseason crowd ever. This is the first-ever home sellout in Columbus Crew SC postseason history.
HOME COOKING
Crew SC is set to play its 18th all-time home postseason match with this match. The Black & Gold are 10-6-1 in postseason matches played in Central Ohio all-time, including a record of 7-4-1 at MAPFRE Stadium in those contests. Columbus has scored at least two goals in each of its last six home postseason clashes, dating back to November 8, 2008.
MLS ORIGINALS TO SQUARE-OFF
Crew SC has met its fellow MLS original New York in two prior postseason series: the 1998 Eastern Conference Semifinals and in MLS Cup 2008. In 1998, the Black & Gold battled the then-MetroStars in a best-of-three series, winning the first match 5-3 at Ohio Stadium before sweeping the series with a 3-2 victory in penalty kicks following a 1-1 scoreline in normal time at Giants Stadium. In 2008, Crew SC won its first-ever MLS Cup with a 3-1 win over the Red Bulls at the then-Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
KAMARA, PARKHURST BRING CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE
Both Kei Kamara and Michael Parkhurst have played in MLS Conference Championships prior to this season. In 2011, Kamara started for Sporting Kansas City in the Western Conference Championship against the Houston Dynamo, leading the club in shots with five. Crew SC Captain Michael Parkhurst started three consecutive Eastern Conference Championship contests from 2005 through 2007, helping the Revolution win all three contests by identical 1-0 scorelines.
TCHANI TO FACE FORMER TEAM
Crew SC midfielder Tony Tchani played for the New York Red Bulls from 2010 to midway through the 2011 season, before he was traded to Toronto FC. All-told, Tchani made 29 appearances for the Red Bulls (18 starts), scoring one goal and registering three assists.
SAURO SUSPENDED FOR THIS MATCH
In this First Leg, Crew SC defender Gaston Sauro is set to serve a one-match suspension for postseason yellow-card accumulation accrued in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Sauro will be available for selection in the Second Leg at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, November 29.
WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN
Sunday’s 5:00 p.m. ET start is available via national television on ESPN, with Adrian Healey, Taylor Twellman and Monica Gonzalez on the call. Locally, the contest is available via the radio in English on CD102.5 FM and in Span-ish on La Mega 103.1 FM. Dwight Burgess and Neil Sika are set to have the call of the match on CD102.5, with Juan Valladares on the microphone on La Mega 103.1. A complete list of places to catch the Black & Gold on TV is available here. The game is also slated to be broadcast internationally via the following outlets: M. East & N. Africa, Abu Dhabi Sports / Africa, FOX / China, LETV / Europe (exl UK & Eire), Eurosport / Dohar, Thailand, Hong Kong, BeIN Sports (ASIA AUS) / Indonesia, Philippines, BeIN Sports (ASIA) / Taiwan, Sportcast / UK & Eire, Sky Sports / UK, SNTV / Singapore, Starhub.
