Sigi Schmid’s Columbus side is not only the hottest team in MLS, thanks largely to Argentine import Guilermo Barros Schelotto, but has a very good track record against teams from the EPL. Columbus since 1996 has won three lost once and drawn twice EPL opposition, including drawing Everton last season and beating Fulham two years ago. “In our history we’ve done well against teams from the Premier League,” Schmid said to the assembled press, who included some English reporters no doubt eager to bash the quality of MLS. Schmid’s team is two points from the top of the table in the Eastern Conference and has this showcase game to prove how solid both the team and their league is to the world. SChmid indicated his team wasn’t going to treat this match as a typical friendly and that his squad was eager for the opportunity of playing a top EPL side.