Fri Aug 29 19:14:23 2008

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Crew, Hoops renew acquaintances

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Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - The Columbus Crew and FC Dallas renew acquaintances two weeks after meeting at Crew Stadium in Major League Soccer action on Saturday.

This meeting will be at Pizza Hut Park after the Crew earned a 2-1 win on their home field last time around.

The Crew (11-6-4) are riding high, winning three of their last four to claim a share of the top spot in the Eastern Conference table with the New England Revolution.

The most recent win was a 3-0 domination of Real Salt Lake last week. The Crew did not allow an attempt at goal until the 71st minute, and goalkeeper Will Hesmer made just two saves the entire night. Forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who earned MLS Player of the Week honors for scoring a goal and two assists vs. RSL, came out after the game was 3-0 because of an injury but should be set to go Saturday.

"After the 3-0 lead, I took Guillermo out because he took a knock on his ankle," Crew coach Sigi Schmid said. "He always wants to play 90 minutes but I felt there was an opportunity for another whack they way they were playing and then we dropped off a little too much. We defended too much, we gave them too much space. We made Hesmer earn the shutout."

With the most recent win, the Crew matched their point total from all of last season with nine games to go.

"Last year wasn't a great year so it wasn't too great of a thing," Crew defender Chad Marshall said, "but to be better already than we were last year is a good thing. Hopefully, we can keep getting points and clinch that playoff spot."

FC Dallas is coming off its second consecutive game n which it failed to hold a first half lead. An Andre Rocha blast gave the Hoops the early lead, but a Jimmy Conrad equalizer in second-half stoppage time earned the Kansas City Wizards a point in a game Dallas thought it had won.

"Obviously when you give up a goal in extended time you feel like something got away," Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. "But it's also nice that we got a point on the road, and we played 30-plus minutes with a man down. I'm glad to get a point."

"We held until about the last two minutes of the game," Dallas defender Drew Moor said. "Before we started, if we leave with a point, maybe we're satisfied with it. But, obviously, I think the course of the game changed that, and I think we're leaving here a little disappointed."

Midfielder Pablo Ricchetti earned a red card vs. the Wizards, meaning he will be suspended for Saturday's game. Also, FC Dallas will be without midfielder Victor Sikora for the next 4-6 weeks after the underwent surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee, an injury suffered against the Wizards. Also out will be Duilio Davino and David Wagenfuhr because of injuries.

The Crew will be without Ezra Hendrickson and Cory Eleino because of injuries and Danny O'Rourke because of yellow card accumulation.