MLS Preview from The Sports Network
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
(All times Eastern)
Columbus (3-4-3) at Seattle (7-2-2), 10 p.m.
Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - The Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders FC will
be looking to get back in the win column when the two sides square off at
CenturyLink Field on Wednesday.
Both clubs are coming off of dramatic draws last weekend as the Crew
surrendered a late goal to Alan Gordon in a 1-1 tie with the San Jose
Earthquakes while Fredy Montero equalized one minute from time to help the
Sounders claim a point in a 2-2 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Montero continued his formidable partnership with Eddie Johnson as they both
tallied goals in the draw with Vancouver. They have combined for seven goals
over Seattle's last six games.
"We could have gone either one of two ways and we went the right way," Johnson
said of the draw. "We didn't give up, we didn't put our head down, we didn't
start moaning and pointing fingers. The most important thing is we know we're
a team that can create opportunities and we believed in our abilities. Credit
to Fredy on the last goal, it was a pretty special individual play by him."
Seattle's stout defense has been a marvel this season as the Sounders have
leaked just six goals through 11 games this term. Saturday's match against
Vancouver was the first time all season that the Sounders have conceded more
than one goal in a match.
Columbus is unbeaten in its last three matches but still sits fourth from
bottom in the East on 10 points.
The Crew could have taken a loss against the 'Quakes on Saturday and remained
on nine points had it not been for the heroic play of goalkeeper Andy
Gruenebaum, who produced seven saves on the night to keep the home side in
check.
"It's a mixed feeling because after the first 30 minutes we should have been
2-0 down," head coach Robert Warzycha said. "Andy played out of his mind - we
had a chance to go up 2-0 with [Tony] Tchani's header but then we gave up the
goal in the last minute."
Making things worse for the Crew in the debilitating draw was Milovan
Mirosevic leaving the game at halftime with an injury to his groin.
05/22 18:34:13 ET
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