[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he forecast for Saturday night’s game at Crew Stadium against the L.A. Galaxy figures to be overcast. Will the clouds be in the shape of Landon Donovan, or perhaps a new Columbus Crew signing?
The plot is certainly thickening as the MLS Playoffs approach.
On one hand, the debate among supporters has weighed on all week regarding the planned pre-match ceremony for the famed U.S. international. The match Saturday night will be the first stop of a farewell tour that will carry on throughout the remainder of the 2014 season. It’s one that’s been met with mixed reception, to say the least.
More interesting, certainly, is the news that the Crew will be making a “significant club announcement” prior to the match, leading to plenty of speculation as to whether this could be the revealing of a player — be it a U.S. international, or a striker to boost the talent at the position — that could assist the club in its playoff push.
Columbus (6-8-9, 27 pts.) sits at 6th place in the Eastern Conference table, right below the Philadelphia Union. To get three points, sustained possession, quality crosses into the 18-yard box, and getting shots on frame will be key to put pressure on Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. The Panamanian has not allowed many past him this season, conceding 18 goals with a 1.00 Goals Against Average. Crew forward Federico Higuain will need to be an integral part of his team’s offense and create with precision passing and limiting turnovers. The Argentine knows best how to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, leading Columbus with nine goals and five assists.
The L.A. Galaxy (9-4-7, 34 pts.) come into Crew Stadium on a three match unbeaten streak, including a recent 3-0 shutout on the road against MLS powerhouse Seattle Sounders FC. Saturday will also mark the return of ex-Crew midfielder Robbie Rogers. In seven starts, Rogers has been a minimal threat this season to opposing defenses, tallying two assists and zero goals for the Galaxy. Leading the attack for the Galaxy is forward Robbie Keane. The 34 year-old Irish veteran remains in top form, cracking the MLS top five in goals, shots, and shots on goal. With 12 tallies in the back of the net this season, Keane is notorious for igniting the Galaxy offense on quick counter-attacks.
The Crew back four will need to win the battle in the back third of the pitch to minimize shot opportunities from a well-organized opposition. Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark has continued to be a stalwart in the net, sacrificing his body on every save to keep the Black & Gold in the match. Clark is fourth in the MLS with 70 saves this season against 101 shots attempted, totaling a 69 percent save percentage. Expect a barrage of pressure from Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes to actively challenge Crew outside backs Eric Gehrig and Chad Barson.
Substitutions will also be a factor in the outcome of today’s match. Crew forward Justin Meram scored in last week’s match against Toronto FC as a second half substitute. The Crew will need a consistent and tactically sound match from its midfield to keep the ball on the Galaxy side of the pitch.
Match start time is 7:30 p.m. ET. The Crew will also be televised on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel.
Reported by Press Row Sports.
