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Fan preview: East meets West as Beckham, Galaxy play the Crew
Fan preview: East meets West as Beckham, Galaxy play the Crew
Beckham is coming, Beckham is coming. Columbus is ready. The Eastern Conference-leading Crew host the Western Conference-leading Galaxy Saturday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Michael B. Coleman will even be there to perform the annual coin toss. If you have not already purchased tickets to the annual Blackout the Galaxy festivities , you have slim pickings. Standing room only tickets and some obstructed view tickets are available.
Blackout in the stands
In this second and final regular season matchup, show your support for the Black & Gold by wearing all black. Limited-edition black merchandise will also be available in the team store.
Last time they met
The last time the Crew and Galaxy met—July 20—the Galaxy pulled out a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal by Sean Franklin . Playing on our home turf this time, I hope to see the Crew best the Galaxy by two points.
Expect to see
As mentioned in the opening sentence, David Beckham is expected to play Saturday. He has been dealing with back spasms, but according to Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, he is on the lineup. Other big names on the Galaxy side include Landon Donovan , Robbie Keane and former Crew captain Frankie Hejduk .
This could prove to be a turning point for the Crew. They have been win-less and riddled with injuries for too long. Crew defender Shaun Francis will be restored to the starting left back position. He has not been able to make the impact expected since tearing his hamstring in the preseason, and later a groin injury.
Danny O'Rourke , who is back after knee surgery, is also a part of the starting line up, as is Crew captain Chad Marshall , whose injury in a recent game was thankfully not season-ending.
Traveling information
Between the Blackout the Galaxy and the Ohio State Buckeye home game, expect heavy traffic Saturday. Plan for an extra 30-60 minutes of travel time to the Crew Stadium.
Tune in
If you cannot be there, tune in. ONN will be televising the match regionally, fans in central Ohio can catch the broadcast on WBNS-DT 10.2, and Time Warner Cable customers can tune into Ch. 1311. On the radio, turn to GenX radio 106.7 FM with Neil Sika and John Bluem.
More by Sylvie Branch:
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Ten-man Columbus Crew earn a point, back on top
David Beckham out with back spasms, again
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An Ohio soccer fan since the Force was a force in [Cleveland]e|OOD , Sylvie Branch has followed the Columbus Crew through their inaugural season to the present. Lifelong passion for the game was passed on to the next generation, throughout these years of watching the Crew, Sylvie also played, coached and cheered her kids championship teams.
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