The Columbus Crew traveled well last season and look to continue the trend when they play the New England Revolution on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass.
A club-record nine wins plus five ties in 17 away matches last year leave the Crew (1-0-0, 3 points) confident they can go on the road and replicate last week’s 4-2 home victory over Chicago in the season opener.
“It has been the focus since the first training when I came here because I wanted to respect (road matches),” Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said. “It was a discussion and a mindset. We play to win the game.”
New England (0-0-1, 1 point) will try to make amends for a 5-8-4 home mark last season. Despite their poor record, the Revolution ranked fourth in MLS attendance with 29,262 fans per game.
“We play for them,” Revolution coach Caleb Porter said. “They are the soul of the club. They bring purpose and meaning to our play and we can’t wait to create a fortress this year where no one comes in getting points off us.”
New England played to a 0-0 draw last Saturday at Nashville SC. The Revolution had just two road shutouts last season, but the addition of defenders Brayan Ceballos and Mamadou Fofana already have paid dividends.
Ceballos, acquired from Brazilian club Fortaleza, was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for his efforts.
“The fans can expect to have a group of guys that are going to leave it all on the pitch,” Porter said. “You’re going to see 11 guys who are going to roll their sleeves up and work and fight for them. There were times last year that didn’t happen and that was disappointing.”
New England must contain Diego Rossi. The Crew forward had two goals versus the Fire but said he doesn’t feel pressure to replace departed forwards Cucho Hernandez and Christian Ramirez, who combined for 27 goals and 20 assists last season.
“I always try to work and be better,” Rossi said. “So, it doesn’t matter who is on the team, I’m going to work for the team and for myself.”
–Field Level Media
