Crew look to exorcise demons in visit to Portland

The Columbus Crew seek to extend their unbeaten streak to nine in a venue where they've never won -- while simultaneously dealing with the absences of forward Cucho Hernandez and head coach Wilfried Nancy.

That's the task for the Crew (10-6-6, 36 points) when they visit the struggling Portland Timbers (5-9-8, 23 points) on Saturday.

The 10-man Crew forged a 1-1 home tie vs. New York City FC on July 8 on a goal by Sean Zawadzki in the fourth minute of stoppage time, but it was costly.

Hernandez (five goals, 10 assists) received two cautions -- the first for dissent, the second for a high kick to an opponent's face -- which led to his ejection and a one-game ban. He had a goal contribution in 11 of the previous 12 matches.

Now the Crew, 5-0-3 in the past eight matches, must find a way to get a result in a city where they are 0-3-2 all-time.

"It's always difficult losing someone like Cucho from the team," Zawadzki said. "It's on all of us to continue playing like we've been playing, trust each other and stick to the game plan the coaches have put together for us."

The normally mild-mannered Nancy received a red card for coming onto the field to dispute a call by referee Sergii Boiko. On Tuesday, Nancy had a second match added to his suspension by MLS because he kicked a ball after being shown the card.

Also, fitness/rehab coach Federico Pizzuto received a three-match ban for spraying water on an official.

Portland, 0-2-3 in the past five matches, has problems, as well. Forward Santiago Moreno (team-leading six assists) reportedly asked for a transfer last week and did not travel for "personal reasons" Wednesday when the club visited the Colorado Rapids to play the second half of a match suspended July 4 because of weather.

It ended 0-0, the fourth such scoreline in the past 10 matches (1-4-5) for Portland.

Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese is unsure if Moreno will be available Saturday.

"Our group has a next-man up mentality," Timbers defender Eric Miller said. "It gives someone an opportunity to play."