With each passing weekend, the goal for the Columbus Crew remains the same: stay above the red line. It was a bit of a bumpy road last week in Houston, but in the end, the Black & Gold emerged with a big road point and the satisfaction of indeed remaining in MLS Cup Playoff position.
Now, Columbus returns home for a two-match swing at Crew Stadium, where the goal of remaining above that red line is still very much at the forefront of its minds. The opponent this weekend is the New England Revolution, another side in MLS Cup Playoff position and one that has been on a winning streak of late, having earned three points in each of its last five matches.
However, as goalkeeper Steve Clark notes, the Revs have a tendency to be a streaky team that can dip in and out of form at any moment.
"We played [New England] there on a losing streak and now they're back winning five in a row," said Clark. "The challenges are definitely to get out there and first of all, compete. We believe in our game, we believe in our tactics, we believe in our possession. We just need to match their energy, intensity and physicality. We can do that. We've been good at home. I'm really looking forward to the match and getting back out there after Houston."
Perhaps the Revs' recent streak has been fueled by the addition of United States international Jermaine Jones, who has played in each of the team's last four matches. The Crew has played many sides that have bulked up between meetings of late -- Houston adding DaMarcus Beasley and Luis Garrido, Montreal adding Ignacio Piatti, for example -- but Berhalter says that is of no concern in terms of New England and Jones.
"I think [preparing for Jones] is easy, because we know exactly what he does," said the Crew boss. "Now, it doesn't make the game easy. The game's still going to be very difficult. We know that a lot goes through him, we know that he's a big component to their team and he brings a lot of intangibles. It changes their team drastically and we're prepared."
Berhalter continued by saying that the former FC Schalke 04 man has been a good fit for New England.
"I think he's done a good job integrating, a really good job. He's been battling fitness issues, but getting stronger and stronger every game. He's going to be a point of concern for us."
Also a point of concern for the Crew is Lee Nguyen, who has notched seven goals over his last eight matches and is currently tied for sixth in the League.
"Obviously, Lee Nguyen has been tearing up the League lately. He's scoring goals for fun right now," said Aaron Schoenfeld. "If we stop him and shut him down, it'll be a good result for us."
Continued Schoenfeld: "We know that we have to keep them running. We can't let them dictate the tempo and have us running on our back heels. If we keep the ball, we'll be fine."
Despite New England's surge, the Crew is confident that returning home with the added boost of a great crowd expected for Frankie Hejduk's Circle of Honor induction will work to its benefit. And by sticking to what has made it successful, it can emerge with a victory.
"[New England] has great movement off the ball, speaking as a goalkeeper," said Clark. "They have a great pattern of play in our box, but we [do] also as well. We cause a lot of problems, I think. We need to play our game and we need to be sharp ... It's about getting out there and fighting."
