It all starts here.
The journey of the eight-month 2015 Major League Soccer Regular Season begins for Crew SC with a trip to visit the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday. For the fifth straight year, the Black & Gold will open the season away from their Columbus fortress. Beating Chivas USA and D.C. United 3-0 on the road to start the 2013 and 2014 campaigns, respectively, Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter doesn't see playing at an opposing venue to be an issue.
With cold temperatures and heavy snowfall earlier in the week, it would have been difficult for Crew SC to open the season at home.
"This year, I think it probably works a little bit better because of the weather," Berhalter said of the travel to begin the 2015 regular season. "That’s just the reality of it. If you look at our environment now, it’s filled with snow and cold. We’re going to a place with the mid-50s, lower-60s. It should be a perfect temperature to play soccer. I think it’s a benefit to us."
While playing on the road does present some difficulty, the Black & Gold are focused on their style and approach as they prepare for the Dynamo.
"There’s travel, that’s first and foremost probably the thing you’re thinking about," midfielder Wil Trapp said. "The atmosphere is going to be different. You don’t have your fanbase there, but we’re still going to play the same way we know how and hopefully get the three points."
After training indoors in Columbus earlier in the week, Crew SC traveled to Houston on Thursday to get used to the Texas weather and play on a natural surface. Trapp believes the early travel will be beneficial when kickoff comes on Saturday night.
"Getting acclimated, being outside is huge," the midfielder said. "Training on turf isn’t ideal. Going down early, getting used to the weather, settling into the hotel and our rhythm will be good to go."
Crew SC kicks-off versus the Dynamo at 8:30 p.m ET (Time Warner Cable SportsChannel / CD102.5 FM) on Saturday to begin its 20th season of play.
