|
|
Friday, December 13, 2002
Major League Soccer on ABC
ABC Sports
ABC Sports presents its first MLS telecast of the season, as the Chicago Fire meet the Columbus Crew from Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, SATURDAY, MARCH 23 (4 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.
COMMENTATORS:
Jack Edwards will provide the play-by-play and will be joined by expert analyst Ty Keough. Rob Stone is the host.
CHICAGO FIRE:
The Fire had a terrific 2001 season, with a 16-6-5 record and 53 points that tied them with the L.A. Galaxy for the most points in the league. They qualified for the playoffs and advanced to the semifinals by defeating the Dallas Burn before losing to the Galaxy. At the heart of Chicago's success is captain Peter Nowak, who has directed the team from the midfield since the club's inaugural season in 1998. Defensively, Chicago returns Chris Armas, goalkeeper Zach Thornton and Carlos Bocanegra to a unit that consistently ranks among the League's best.
COLUMBUS CREW:
The Crew finished the 2001 campaign with a 13-7-6 record, but lost in the quarterfinal round of MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in five years. Following a 1-3-2 start, a coaching change was made, with assistant Greg Andrulis taking over for long-time Crew Head Coach Tom Fitzgerald. Following the change, the Crew went 12-4-4, including 7-0-4 in its final 11 home games. Leading the way this year for Columbus are forward Jeff Cunningham (10 goals, 13 assists), midfielder John Wilmer Perez (8 goals, 15 assists) and forward Brian McBride, who will almost certainly play for the 2002 U.S. World Cup team. The Crew is solid in goal with veteran Tom Presthus, who came to the Crew last year after spending the previous four years with D.C. United.
MLS ON ABC SPORTS:
ABC Sports' coverage of Major League Soccer continues on Saturday, August 3 (3:30 p.m. ET), with the MLS All-Star Game from Washington, D.C. In addition to the All-Star Game, ABC Sports will televise an MLS playoff game on Sunday, October 6 (2 p.m. ET) and the 2002 MLS Cup on Sunday, Oct. 20 (1:30 p.m. ET), from CMGI Field in Foxboro, Mass.
|
|
|
