Union-Crew Preview
Although the Philadelphia Union have been pleased with their play on the road, they're struggling to stop opponents from finding the back of the net.
That doesn't bode well for Saturday night's matchup with the Columbus Crew, who are coming off their highest-scoring game of the season.
Philadelphia has scored six times in four away matches but has allowed eight goals in going 0-2-2. The Union are 0-4-2 in their last six on the road, putting them one match away from the second-longest winless stretch in team history behind an 0-5-3 run spanning the 2013 and '14 seasons.
"We have played good games outside of here," forward Fernando Aristeguieta said. "We're just waiting for the results. ... We've had an advantage in a lot of games and you have to give a little bit more. The victories will come because we're almost there."
The Union (1-4-3) have given up an MLS-high 13 goals.
"It's hard because we work very hard every day and the results aren't there," coach Jim Curtin said. "We work for the result and I'm sure that everybody here wants to win a lot and it's hard because in a few games we have been up in the score and we haven't been able to keep it. ... We have to keep going and keep the positive in our minds. The results are going to arrive because we're so close."
Philadelphia allowed two unanswered goals in a 12-minute span in the second half Sunday in a 2-1 loss to visiting New England, and Curtin is worried about a repeat performance in this match following the Crew's 3-0 win over Orlando City SC last Saturday.
The Union have never won in Columbus, going 0-5-1.
"They're a team that's in good form," Curtin said. "... They're an opponent we respect a great deal. They're a very good team and a team that we'll have to have our best. Everyone needs to bring a good game in Columbus for us to have a shot at getting a result."
The Crew (2-2-2) haven't allowed a goal in their last two games, while forward Kei Kamara has scored three times and added an assist in the past three to help them go 1-0-2.
Kamara, back with the Crew after playing for them in his first two MLS seasons in 2006 and '07, will be appearing in his 200th regular-season game.
"That's amazing, to be honest, coming back here and being able to play for this club that made me a professional," Kamara told MLS' official website. "If I am going to have my 200th game and it's going to be at home, it's going to be a special moment."
Midfielder Federico Higuain, who led Columbus with a career-best 12 goals in 2014, scored his first of the season last weekend and assisted on Kamara's goal.
"He was amazing. I think that was one of the better performances since I've been around seeing him play," coach Gregg Berhalter said. "We know he has that in him."