CREW SC LOOKING TO COLLECT POINTS FOR FIFTH-STRAIGHT MATCH
Columbus Crew SC plays its 19th Major League Soccer regular-season match in 2015 and its ninth away from MAPFRE Stadium by traveling to Montreal to face the Impact on Saturday, July 11, at Stade Saputo. This is the second of two matches scheduled between Columbus and Montreal this year and the 11th regular-season meeting overall. Historically, Crew SC has had success against the Impact, as the Black & Gold have a 6-3-1 record all-time against the Quebec-based side.
HISTORIC SUCCESS AGAINST MONTREAL
Columbus has taken 63.3% of possible points in matches played against Montreal overall, a figure that ranks third-highest for Crew SC against all current MLS opponents. Additionally, of the Black & Gold’s 15 total goals scored against the Impact, nine have come in the 61st minute or later (60%).
LAST REGULAR-SEASON MEETING
On June 6, 2015, Crew SC fell to the Montreal Impact, 2-1, at MAPFRE Stadium. Maxim Tissot opened the scoring in the 55th minute with his first goal of the season. Andres Romero extended the lead for the Impact in the 79th minute. Crew SC’s Federico Higuain brought the Black & Gold to within one in extra time, but Columbus could not find the equalizer as Montreal emerged with the three points.
MABWATI JOINS BLACK & GOLD
With the opening of the secondary transfer window on July 8, DR Congo midfielder Cedrick Mabwati has officially been added to the Black & Gold roster. Mabwati recently concluded a loan spell with Osasuna in Spain, where he registered three assists in 30 league appearances.
KAMARA MAINTAINS LEAGUE LEAD IN GOALS, SECOND IN SHOTS
Crew SC forward Kei Kamara continues to lead Major League Soccer with 12 goals on the year. Kamara’s 12 tallies are now three ahead of San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski and Orlando City SC’s Kaka. The Crew SC forward also ranks second in MLS in total shots (76) and is tied for second in shots on goal (32).
FINLAY CONTINUES TO LEAD LEAGUE IN ASSISTS
Midfielder Ethan Finlay continues to lead Major League Soccer with 10 assists in 2015. Sporting Kansas City’s Benny Feilhaber is one behind Finlay at nine. Through just 18 games this season, Finlay’s 10 assists are a new career single-season high, surpassing last season’s breakout total of seven assists. Since May 17, 2014, Finlay has recorded 16 goals and 17 assists in MLS regular season play in 41 matches after not recording any over his first 40 appearances.
DYNAMIC DUO
Kei Kamara and Ethan Finlay have combined for a total of 32 goals and assists, tops in Major League Soccer ahead of any other club’s leading duo by eight. Seattle’s Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins have combined for 24 goals and assists, while Sporting KC’s Krisztian Nemeth and Benny Feilhaber are at 23. Kamara leads MLS in individual goals and assists (17), while Finlay is tied with Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco for second (15).
FRANCIS LEADS LEAGUE IN ASSISTS AMONG DEFENDERS
Crew SC defender Waylon Francis continues to lead all Major League Soccer defenders in assists this season with a total of five. That total gives the Costa Rican the League lead in assists by a defender, one ahead of Sporting Kansas City’s Jalil Anibaba, D.C. United’s Taylor Kemp and Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Steven Beitashour. Francis is also one of 18 defenders in MLS to have created at least 11 chances.
WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN
Saturday’s 8:00 p.m. ET start is available locally on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. “Crew SC Matchday” on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. Dwight Burgess, Neil Sika and Ashleigh Ignelzi are set to have the call of the match at 8:00 p.m. ET. A complete list of places to catch the Black & Gold on TV is available here. Fans can also listen to the match on the radio on Crew SC’s English language radio partner CD 102.5 FM or in Spanish on La Mega 103.1 FM.
