This isn't the same Columbus Crew that lost to Philadelphia at PPL Park in April.
All throughout Major League Soccer, the hot topic seems to be the recent success of the Columbus offense. Mostly inconsistent in 2012, the Crew attack suddenly exploded for four goals last Saturday behind newly acquired forwards Jairo Arrieta and Federico Higuain.
The dynamic pair have already contributed 8 goals and 4 assists in just 11 combined games.
"I think they're in fantastic form right now," said Union team manager John Hackworth at Tuesday's press conference. "We have to make sure that we give them a lot of respect, and understand that, just like any goal scorer - when you're hot you're hot. They're both in great form right now."
Arrieta's statline is impressive. Since joining the Crew, the Costa Rica man has tallied 5 goals and 2 assists in 8 games. Those 5 goals have come from just 14 total shots.
Higuain's body of work is incredibly small, but still impressive. He's already bagged 3 goals and 2 assist in three games. His free kick brace against New England earned him MLS player of the week honors.
He also happens to be the brother of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.
"We're going to have do a really good job of defending them, containing them, and trying to limit their chances," Hackworth continued. "We have a gameplan going into this game, and I'm pretty confident the players understand it. That's all we can do right now. But there's no question that we're going up against a very good team right now, in good form, particularly with two strikers that are feeling it."
