Fireworks will be on display at MAPFRE Stadium on July 4, when Columbus Crew SC hosts the New York Red Bulls for the second time this season; and with 19 home goals to date, the Black & Gold are hoping to deliver another show on the pitch for its supporters before the post-match Independence Day celebration kicks off.
The Red Bulls return to the Arch City after they took the first contest in Columbus by a tally of 2-1 on March 28. The early-season match proved to be a disappointing one for Crew SC, after not having lost at home in seven regular season games prior.
For Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, this weekend’s clash proves as a chance for his team to reassert itself.
“I think we were a little bit disappointed with how we played last time against them,” Berhalter said. “At home, we want to certainly play our style and we want to emphasize that. So the emphasis all week is going to be on 'how do we continue to play our style and move the ball quickly?'’”
The Black & Gold will have their work cut out for them as New York sports one of the more high-pressure offenses, anchored by 2014 Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips and playmaker Sacha Kljestan.
The Red Bulls are tied for third in points in the Eastern Conference with 23 and are coming off a comeback victory after defeating crosstown rival New York City FC, 3-1, at Yankee Stadium.
With Wright-Phillips on the receiving end of an orchestrating midfielder like Kljestan, Crew SC’s backline, anchored by Captain Michael Parkhurst, is preparing for a busy night.
“They have a lot of components to their attack, which will make it difficult for us,” Parkhurst said. “I think we have to be tight in the back, really put the game on our tone, keep possession of the ball. But we have to keep things tight in the back.”
With their first of only two home losses in 2015 coming against the Red Bulls back in March, the Black & Gold are ready for retribution.
“We’re up for the challenge,” Parkhurst said. “We feel that we were hard done by the result against them earlier in the season and we want to right that.”
Crew SC midfielder Tony Tchani provided a straightforward game plan for a positive showing this weekend.
“It’s simple – you just have to score first,” Tchani said. “Because I feel like if we score first, they’ll be the team chasing and that will give us more confidence.”
As a holding player in central midfield, Tchani has exhibited a strong presence not only on defense but offense, as well. After a confident showing against the New England Revolution last Wednesday, he scored a goal to draw the game level at Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Tchani scored his first of three MLS goals this season against the Red Bulls in March.
“[Last game] they came out here, they kind of pressed us a little bit,” Tchani said. “Last time they got us playing in a different game. I just feel like we have to make sure that we stick to our game plan and try to make the ball do the work.”
Crew SC is 15-12-4 against the Red Bulls in Columbus, with the rivalry reaching the pinnacle in 2008, when both teams met in the MLS Cups final. The Black & Gold are looking to improve upon that record and keep the pressure on in an already tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
Kickoff to the July 4 match at MAPFRE Stadium is at 7:30 p.m. Take advantage of one of the many promo offers that night.
Crew SC offers an All-You-Can-Eat Tailgate package with unlimited hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and Pepsi drinks in the Stadium Club. Tickets start at $29.
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For $29 you can purchase a Field Level Pavilion ticket that includes two OYO cocktails.
Also, July 4 is Military Night presented by Heartland Bank. Receive $10 off upper-level tickets (up to four) when you present your Military ID at the gate.
And of course stay around for the Post-Match Fireworks presented by EAS.
