Game Thread: Crew SC vs. New England Revolution

A three game slide has Columbus Crew SC sliding down the table and looking forward to a mini home stand. Eastern Conference rivals New England Revolution are first up. The Revs are 3-2-1 and lost a tight one at home 1-0 against FC Dallas. Fans will have a distraction from the legal wrangling over the future of the team. Everyone needs something out of tonight’s game.

Previews:

Ralph Schudel took a look at the new Revolution under first year head coach Brad Friedel. Pat Murphy wrote about how three straight losses serve as a big wake up call. Nathanial Marhefka goes deep into how Crew SC may play tonight.

Live updates:

70’ #CrewSC substitution: Cristian Martinez on for Hansen.

69’ CLOSE! Santos’ cross finds Higuain who hits a half volley, but it’s blocked on the line.

69’ Penilla fires a shot from inside the box, but Steffen comes up BIG!

65’ Higuain fires a free kick on target but it results in a fairly routine save from Turner.

60’ Harrison brought down just outside the penalty area. #CrewSC free kick. Yellow card to Fagundez.

50’ So close! Jonathan heads off the crossbar!

HT: 2-2

45’+ Penilla ties it. Jonathan’s chested effort is collected by Agudelo who plays it to the winger. 2-2. And that’s the half.

43’ Zardes collects a pass from Pipa, cuts inside and fires it home. 2-1 Crew SC!

42’ Zardes’ cross comes off a sliding Hansen’s foot but goes just wide. Hansen ends up in the net, but not the ball. So close!

38’ Santos spins and fires from the top of the penalty box. It goes wide.

36’ Yellow card Zahibo after he stopped Pedro’s run.

19’ Hansen again wins a 1 v. 1 battle but Turner makers a big save. A GREAT opportunity for Crew SC.

14’ 1-1 Bunbury gets a shot off from a tight angle.

11’ Yellow card to Farrell for a rough tackle on Zardes.

9’ Valenzuela redirects an Higuain cross back in front of goal and it’s accidentally headed into the net by Farrell. 1-0 Crew SC!

1’ We’re underway from MAPFRE!

Official Lineups:

The Massive XI:

The readers still want to see Lalas Abubakar return to the lineup to pair with Jonathan in the back over Josh Williams.

Likewise, the readers want to see something different out of the wings. Niko Hansen is preferred over Cristian Martinez, who has struggled after his excellent game against D.C. United at home in March.

Injuries and Absences:

Crew SC: Midfielder Eduardo Sosa is the only player that is out. Luis Argudo, Mike Grella and Gaston Sauro are back in training and close to returning to the lineup. Momentus news for Grella and Sauro who have been out with long term injuries.

D.C. United: Midfielders Isaac Angking and Kelyn Rowe are both out for the Revs. While not injured, Lee Nguyen hasn’t been in the 18 this season after his holdout.

How to watch:

Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018, 7:30 PM ET

Venue: MAPFRE Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)

TV: CW Columbus, Spectrum Sports, BCSN2

Radio: English: CD102.5 FM / ColumbusCrewSC.com Spanish: ColumbusCrewSC.com

Stream: ESPN+