Revolution-Crew Preview

The Columbus Crew are playing an opponent they have plenty of incentive to beat as they try to end a six-game MLS winless streak.

They will take on the New England Revolution, who are visiting Columbus on Wednesday night for the first time since last year's playoffs.

New England (6-5-6) won 4-2 in its last visit of the first leg of a conference semifinal series Nov. 1, completing the 7-3 aggregate victory at home eight days later.

The playoff matchup in Columbus produced 32 fouls, and the teams combined for 30 in a scoreless draw at New England on April 11 with three yellow cards apiece.

"I think there's a dislike a little bit on both ends," Crew defender Michael Parkhurst said. "Games get physical, games get chippy a little bit, and there's a lot of cards and there's a lot of action. I think there's (also) a mutual respect."

Parkhurst began his career with New England from 2005-08. He feels this contest represents a great opportunity for Columbus (4-6-5) to end an 0-3-3 slide.

"We need to start winning games, we need to start climbing the table," Parkhurst said. "It's a good battle we have with New England all the time, guys get up for the game, hopefully the fans will as well. It's a good game for us to go out there, play well and get three points and hopefully start things going in the other way."

Columbus last went seven straight games without winning during an 0-3-4 stretch May 31-July 16, 2014.

The Revolution remain without star midfielder Jermaine Jones, who has a groin injury and said after the last matchup that "Columbus is a team that talks a lot on the pitch."

Crew forward Kei Kamara has 10 goals to lead MLS, though he has gone a season-high three straight games without one.

New England lost its third straight on the road Sunday, 2-1 to Eastern Conference-leading D.C. Charlie Davies gave the Revolution the lead with a 10th-minute goal but the club conceded twice in an 11-minute stretch of the second half.

Coach Jay Heaps was baffled with the performance after halftime as New England missed a chance to move within one point of United.

"It wasn't like we were under a lot of pressure," he said. "Obviously we weren't good with the ball, and I think that's what frustrates me the most. There was no real pressure and we kept giving the ball back, and I don't know where that comes from and that's a mental lapse."

Columbus has not played an MLS match since a 1-all draw with Los Angeles on June 13. Federico Higuain scored the Crew's goal off an assist by Ethan Finlay.

Finlay is tied with Sporting Kansas City's Benny Feilhaber for the MLS lead with eight assists.

The Crew gained some confidence with last Wednesday's 3-1 victory at Richmond in the U.S. Open Cup. Adam Bedell scored twice and Finlay had the other tally.