Soccer: Carroll, Union Ready For Critical Matchup with Columbus
CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) - The eyes of Major League Soccer will be on Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, when the top two teams in the Eastern Conference battle, as the Philadelphia Union visits the Crew.
Columbus is all alone in first place with 37 points (10-7-7 record). The Union is three points back with 34 (8-5-10 record).
This game will also be a bit of a homecoming for Union midfielder Brian Carroll, who spent three seasons with the Crew before joining the Union in November of 2010.
Carroll says any feelings of nostalgia will be long gone, come game time.
"While it is your old club and you have memories and friends there, once you cross the lines it all business and guys just want to win," he tells KYW Newsradio.
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Carroll says it is no accident that the Crew are at the top of the standings.
"They've earned their spot where they are," he says. "I think their team, and our team, are doing well as far as keeping the ball out of the back of our net. And I think they are just working hard for each other, on both sides of the ball, capitalizing on opportunities and being dangerous on set pieces. Anytime you can take advantage of those parts of the game, you have a chance to be successful, and that's where they find themselves right now."
Philadelphia hasn't won an MLS match since beating New England back on July 17th, but they have managed to pick up points since then, earning draws in their last three matches (versus Chicago, Houston, and FC Dallas).
First kick on Saturday is set for 7:30 PM.
Reported by Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio 1060
