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Toronto FC (0-0-0) at Columbus (0-0-0), 4 p.m.

Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - The Columbus Crew have been the best regular- season club in MLS the last two seasons, and veteran defender Frankie Hejduk knows winning at Crew Stadium has been a major reason why.

Columbus has 20 wins at home the last two seasons - the most in MLS - and an overall record of 20-4-6 at home during that span.

The Crew tied for the most home wins in the league last season with nine, and won a league-high 11 matches at home in 2008 when it won the MLS Cup. Columbus finished with the best overall record in the league both years.

Columbus hosts Toronto FC on Saturday in both teams' season opener, and Hejduk believes getting off to a good start - especially at home - is very important.

"In the past it's been our fortress," Hejduk said on the MLS website, "and we want to start it off with a win here."

Crew coach Robert Warzycha opens his second season in charge, and faces former teammate Preki, who left Chivas USA and begins his first season with Toronto. The duo played together at Everton in England, and the relationship just adds more to the Eastern Conference rivalry.

"It's always a good game against them whether it's in Columbus or Toronto," Hejduk said. "They're a team with a new coach that has a lot to prove and we're trying to establish ourselves at home again."

Columbus is unbeaten in home openers since 2005, with two wins and three ties, and has never lost to Toronto in nine all-time meetings.

The Crew should be a step ahead of the other teams in MLS entering the season. Columbus played twice against Mexican club Toluca in the CONCACAF Champions League recently, losing 5-4 on aggregate.

Toronto is still adjusting to life under Preki, and his changes continued late this week when he sent Marvell Wynne to the Colorado Rapids for Nick LaBrocca in a swap of defenders.

Preki hopes to have his defense make the difference early, but with Wynne and another starter from a season ago, Adrian Serioux, traded in the preseason, it could be a tough start to the season as questions linger in numerous spots.

"I'm not really concerned about scoring goals. We have to be hard to play against and not give goals away," Preki said on the team's website. "I'm sure we will find people to score goals from throughout the team.

"We have to share the load all over the pitch and if we do that we will become successful."

Despite still having some concerns, Preki is excited to get the season started with his new club. He led Chivas to three straight playoff berths and had the league's second-best defense during that stretch.

"We are all very excited about this opening match and having the chance to start competing," Preki said. "The players have been working hard and this will continue to be a work in progress.

"Everyone is committed and we have quality. We shouldn't be afraid to play against anybody."