Workers began using a 275-ton crawler crane last week to erect the structural steel that supports the concourse and lower seating bowl of the stadium. Work began in the northeast corner of the stadium with the lower portion of the main support trusses and the steel columns and beams that support the concourse and lower seating bowl precast concrete stadia.
This next phase will continue for the next several months working around the stadium footprint prior to commencing with the upper bowl structural steel. Work continues on the steel erection for the southern half of the west building including the setting of steel deck in preparation for the placement of the concrete floors.
RED BULL RESERVES TIE, 0-0:
The Reserve squads from the Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls played to a 0-0 draw last Friday at the Crew Training Facility at Obetz.
The first half began with both teams finding it difficult to get anything going offensively, as the referee was forced to blow his whistle multiple times, culminating in a yellow card caution being issued to New York's Carlos Mendes in the 38th minute. As the half continued, the Crew found itself with the majority of possession, but was unable to capitalize due to several offside infractions and ill-timed turnovers in the attacking third, while New York was only able to manage one shot in the final minutes before the halftime whistle.
The second half saw the physical style of play continue from both sides, as each team struggled to gain a decisive advantage. Play eventually opened up, however, as both sides began to create scoring chances. The Red Bulls came out with improved play after its struggles in the first half, as they created several attacking opportunities against the Crew defense, including a laser strike from the top of the box that was parried away to safety by Crew goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni. Meanwhile, the Crew continued to pressure the New York backline, but its finishing struggles from the first half continued, as it failed to convert on any of its eight second half shots, including near misses by Andy Iro and Jason Garey in the Red Bulls' penalty area.
The draw brings the Crew to 3-3-2 (11 pts.) on the season, while New York moves to 2-4-2, (8 pts.) in MLS Reserve Division play. The Red Bulls return to Reserve Division play on Sunday, Oct. 5, when it hosts Toronto FC at home at 10 AM ET Lafayette St. in Newark, NJ.
