Columbus (2-1-0) at D.C. United (1-2-0), 8 p.m.

Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - The Columbus Crew's Guillermo Barros Schelotto and D.C. United's Marcelo Gallardo will meet for the first time in a Major League Soccer fixture when their respective teams square off at RFK Stadium on Thursday, but they are far from strangers.

The two veterans have played numerous matches on the same side as members of the Argentina national team in the past, as well as numerous fixtures against each other as members of Argentinean rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate.

"I've always gotten along well with Marcelo because we shared the experience of being in the under-23 national team in '95, with (Daniel) Pasarella as the coach," Schelotto said. "We became good friends then and have always had a good relationship since. Even on the field when I was playing for Boca and he for River, we always had a good bond, including the preseason with Columbus and D.C. United."

Schelotto won six league titles and four Copa Libertadores crowns during his 10-year tenure with Boca Juniors, while Gallardo helped River Plate to four league titles and one Copa Libertadores championship.

"I always get asked about Guillermo, and I've always said that he is a guy that plays and lives the games to the highest degree," Gallardo said. "But to know him as a person has allowed me to see him in a different way. We were together on the national team and we got to know each other, developing a mutual respect."

The friendship will have to be put on hold when the two veterans step onto the field Thursday night in an important league fixture for both sides. The Crew are trying to continue a strong start that has seen them win two of three while scoring six goals, while United is trying to get a positive result after league and international disappointment this past week.

"It's going to be a great game beyond just the presence of Marcelo and myself," Schelotto said. "I think these are two very solid teams that are going to face each other, and it should provide a good show."

Schelotto is coming off a strong effort in the Crew's last fixture, scoring a goal and setting up two others in a 4-3 win over Chivas USA, and if he can keep the form he showed in that game on a consistent basis, the Crew could surprise a lot of people this season.

"It's great fun when he's up for the game, and he knows that," Crew forward Alejandro Moreno said. "We depend a lot on what he does and when's going from the get-go, it makes things a lot easier for all of us because he can find the passes that not many people in this league can find."

United is coming off a 4-0 loss at Real Salt Lake in which Gallardo didn't play because of his participation in the team's midweek CONCACAF Champions' Cup loss to Pachuca. United will be trying to get over its Champions' Cup hangover and really focus on league action on Thursday, with a nine-day break after the game to recuperate from its hectic early season schedule.

"We've just got to get back to the drawing board, get back in practice," United midfielder Clyde Simms said after Saturday's loss. "... I'm sure we had a couple of tired legs, but we'll just get back, get some rest and we'll be at home next game, which is always a plus for us."

For United to be successful Thursday, Gallardo, Brazilian attackers Fred and Luciano Emilio - who have combined for two goals and an assist in three league fixtures - and the rest of United's squad are going to have to step up their game. Gallardo thinks that will happen.

"Its great to play a game like this," Gallardo said. "Above all, with the season just starting we need to play a good game. It's also good to have representation from Boca and River, from Argentina. It's very positive that you have two players that have been in the most historic teams from Argentina, and I'm privileged to be part of the history of River and to be here with Guillermo because of all he achieved with Boca. It will be a beautiful game to play in, and I'll tell you right now, Guillermo, you're going to have a tough time."