Columbus Crew SC will return to its home turf this weekend to host New York City FC at MAPFRE Stadium. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Black & Gold's sixth 2016 MLS regular-season contest and the first of three 2016 regular-season meetings with NYCFC.
LAST REGULAR-SEASON MEETING
On August 29, 2015, Crew SC won its first-ever match at Yankee Stadium following a Justin Meram game-winning goal in the 83rd minute. Federico Higuain also tallied for Columbus in the victory.
ALL-TIME REGULAR-SEASON MEETINGS
08/19/2015: CLB 2 vs. NYC 2 D MAPFRE Stadium
08/29/2015: CLB 2 at NYC 1 W Yankee Stadium
BLACK & GOLD RETURN TO MAPFRE STADIUM AFTER THREE- MATCH ROAD STRETCH
Following a three-match road swing that saw Crew SC play at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, Toyota Stadium in Frisco Texas and Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Crew SC now returns to Central Ohio for two consecutive matches, beginning with this contest against New York City FC. In 2015, the Black & Gold recorded a 9-4-4 record at MAPFRE Stadium, outscoring their opponents 38-25. Crew SC holds an all-time 165-88-62 record at home, dating back to 1996. Following this match against NYCFC, the Black & Gold continue a two-match homestand by hosting the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
CREW SC SET TO HOST NEW YORK CITY FC IN EASTERN CONFERENCE MATCHUP
Columbus Crew SC plays its fourth 2016 Major League Soccer regular season contest within the Eastern Conference this year as it hosts New York City FC at MAPFRE Stadium. The final two matches between the two teams this season are set for August 13 at MAPFRE Stadium and on Decision Day at Yankee Stadium on October 23.
OLA KAMARA MAKES BLACK & GOLD DEBUT
At Olympic Stadium last weekend, against Montreal, Ola Kamara made a second-half substitute appeararance by coming on for forward Kei Kamara in the 70th minute, making his MLS and Crew SC debut. In 20 minutes, the Norwegian forward recorded 13 touches and completed seven of nine passes (77.8%). Kamara became the third player to make his Crew SC debut in 2016, joining Conor Casey and Emil Larsen.
CREW SC AMONG MLS LEADERS IN PASSING
According to the League’s official statistician, Opta, Columbus Crew SC currently ranks second in the League in passes attempted per match with 500.6, trailing this weekend's opponent, New York City FC, by 21 passes per contest. Crew SC also ranks second in the League in completed passes per match (408) and in overall passing accuracy (81.5%).
BLACK & GOLD PLAYERS AMONG TOP PASSING INDIVIDUALS
Through his first five matches in the 2016 Major League Soccer regular season, Crew SC midfielder Wil Trapp is tied for the League lead in successful passes with 317. Meanwhile, Federico Higuain is tied for third in MLS in successful passes in the opposing half (161), while Trapp is tied for fifth in that category (154). Finally, among players with at least 100 passes attempted, Mohammed Saeid ranks third in MLS in passing accuracy (90.6%) with Trapp in 11th (87.8%).
MABWATI MAKING IMPACT FOR CREW SC
Last weekend against Montreal, Crew SC midfielder Cedrick Mabwati entered the match as a substitute for the fifth consecutive contest. After six weeks of MLS play, the DR Congo international is one of three players Leaguewide to make five appearances as a substitute this season. In that regard, Mabwati joins FC Dallas’ Mauro Rosales and Philadelphia’s Fabian Herbers.
BLACK & GOLD SHOWING A HIGH LEVEL OF DISCIPLINE ON THE PITCH
In the 2016 regular season, Columbus Crew SC ranks first in the League in terms of both the fewest fouls conceded and the fewest yellow cards received.
WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN
Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. ET start is available via regional television on The CW Columbus, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and BCSN2. Neil Sika (play-by-play), Dwight Burgess (analyst) and Marisa Contipelli (sideline) are set to have the call of the match on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and BCSN2, “Crew SC Matchday,” the exclusive pre-match show, starts at 7:00 p.m. ET with Chris Doran and Marisa Contipelli, and “Crew SC Post-Match” immediately follows the action only on TWCSC and BCSN2. The CW Columbus' broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. Locally, the contest is available via the radio in English on CD102.5 FM and in Spanish on La Mega 103.1 FM. The English radio broadcast also is set to stream live on ColumbusCrewSC.com. A complete list of places to catch the Black & Gold on TV is available at ColumbusCrewSC.com. A complete list of places to catch the Black & Gold on TV is available here. The game can be watched internationally via the following: Abu Dhabi Sports, LETV, StarHub, BeIN Sports Australia, BeIN Sports Asia, Sportcast, Eurosport, Sky Sports.
