Columbus Crew

Template:MLS team alt The Columbus Crew is a professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio that participates in Major League Soccer. The club was owned by Lamar Hunt, who also owned the Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas until his 2006 death, upon which his son, Clark, took over his sports properties. The Crew currently play their home games at Columbus Crew Stadium, the first MLS soccer-specific stadium. From 1996–1999, the Crew played their home games at Ohio Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University. The name "The Crew" is the result of a local fan contest and refers to Columbus' blue collar community. The team colors are black and gold. The team mascot is Crew Cat.

The Crew has won one tournament to date, the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, defeating the 2002 MLS Cup and Supporter's Shield winner Los Angeles Galaxy 1–0. The club has reached one other final, the 1998 Open Cup, which was postponed due to a hurricane and controversially relocated from Virginia Beach to Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Fire, who won the match in overtime 2–1. That is not the only championship the team has won, as they also won the 2004 Supporter's Shield for having the best record over the course of the regular season.

The team has 2 major support groups,"Hudson Street Hooligans" and "Crew Supporters Union"

Television and radio

Most Crew home matches are telecast locally on Columbus Sports Network with the majority of away games on the statewide Ohio News Network. A handful of 2007 matches will be televised nationally on ESPN2, Fox Soccer Channel, HDNet, and Telefutura. English radio broadcasts can be heard on "The Brew" 105.7 WBWR-FM with play-by-play done by Neil Sika, color commentary from John Bluem, and sideline updates from Katie Horning . Spanish radio broadcasts can be heard on Radio Sol WXOL.

During broadcasts on the Ohio News Network, Dwight Burgess provides play-by-play with Bill McDermott on color commentary. On home games televised on Columbus Sports Network, Burgess works with former Crew player Dante Washington. Katie Witham is the sideline reporter.

Sponsors

The Crew announced Glidden, an ICI Paints brand as presenting partner. Beginning in 2008 its logo will appear on the front of Crew jerseys and training jerseys.

Honors

Domestic

League

• MLS Supporters' Shield:
  • Winner (1): 2004

Cups

• US Open Cup:
  • Winner (1): 2002
  • Runner-up (1): 1998

Invitational

• Carolina Challenge Cup (pre-season): 2004

Current roster

As of December 1, 2007 The players in bold have senior international caps Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	USA	Will Hesmer
2	DF	USA	Frankie Hejduk (captain)
3	FW	USA	Brad Evans
4	DF	USA	Rusty Pierce
5	MF	USA	Danny O'Rourke
7	FW	ARG	Guillermo Barros Schelotto
8	MF	NZL	Duncan Oughton
9	FW	USA	Jason Garey
10	FW	VEN	Alejandro Moreno
12	MF	USA	Eddie Gaven
13	DF	USA	Andrew Peterson
14	DF	USA	Chad Marshall
15	MF	BRA	Stefani Miglioranzi

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
18	GK	USA	Bill Gaudette
19	MF	USA	Robbie Rogers
20	DF	USA	Tim Ward
22	MF	SCO	Adam Moffat
23	DF	VIN	Ezra Hendrickson
24	DF	USA	Jed Zayner
25	MF	BRA	Ricardo Virtuoso
27	DF	USA	Ryan Junge
29	DF	TRI	Andrei Pacheco
30	GK	USA	Andy Gruenebaum
31	DF	USA	Leonard Griffin
-	MF	USA	Brian Carroll

Source: http://web.mlsnet.com/players/index.jsp?club=t102

Changes for the 2008 MLS Season

In

• Brian Carroll From San Jose Earthquakes

• Andy Iro Drafted 6th overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft

• George Josten Drafted 20th overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft

• Ricardo Pierre-Louis Drafted 22nd overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft

• Ryan Miller Drafted 31st overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft

• Steve Lenhart Drafted 48th overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft

Out

• Ned Grabavoy Drafted to San Jose Earthquakes in the Expansion Draft

• Kei Kamara To San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for Brian Carroll

• Marcos Gonzalez To Universidad Catolica

• Ben Hunter Waived

• Jacob Thomas Waived

• Andy Herron To Chicago Fire in exchange for 4th round pick in the 2010 MLS Superdraft

• Brandon Moss Retired

Notable players

• Edson Buddle (2001–2005)
• Daniel Torres (2001–2003)
• Jon Busch (2002—2006)
• Jeff Cunningham (1998–2004)
• Thomas Dooley (1997–1999)
• Mark Dougherty (soccer) (1998-2001)
• Ansil Elcock (1997–2001)
• Robin Fraser (2004–2005)
• Brad Friedel (1996–1997)
• John Harkes (2001–2002)
• Stern John (1998–1999)
• Doctor Khumalo (1996–1997)
• Brian Maisonneuve (1996–2004)
• Kyle Martino (2002–2006)
• Brian McBride (1996–2003)
• Billy Thompson (1996–2000)
• John Wilmar Perez (2000–2002)
• Robert Warzycha (1996–2002)
• Guillermo Barros Schelotto (2007–present)
• Frankie Hejduk (2003-present)
• Alejandro Moreno (2007-present)
• Ezra Hendrickson (2006-present)
• Ian Woan (2001)

Head coaches

• Timo Liekoski (1996)
• Tom Fitzgerald (1996–2001)
• Greg Andrulis (2001–2005)
• Robert Warzycha (2005; interim)
• Sigi Schmid (2006—)

Team records

• Games: Mike Clark, 221
• Goals: Brian McBride and Jeff Cunningham, 62
• Assists: Robert Warzycha, 61
• Shutouts: Jon Busch, 25

MLS regular season only, through 2006 season

• All-Time regular season record: 149-158-61 (Through Oct. 21, 2007)

Stadiums

• Ohio Stadium (1996–1999)
• Columbus Crew Stadium (1999–current)

Year-by-year

Year	Reg. Season	Playoffs	Open Cup	CONCACAF Champions' Cup	SuperLiga
1996	4th, East	Quarterfinals	Did not enter	Not qualifed	Started in 2007
1997	3rd, East	Semifinals	Did not enter	Did not qualify
1998	2nd, East	Semifinals	Final	Did not qualify
1999	2nd, East	Semifinals	Semifinals	Did not qualify
2000	4th, Central	Did not qualify	Quarterfinals	Did not qualify
2001	2nd, Central	Quarterfinals	Quarterfinals	Not held
2002	2nd, East	Semifinals	Champions	Did not qualify
2003	5th, East	Did not qualify	Round of 16	Quarterfinals
2004	1st, East*	Quarterfinals	Round of 16	Did not qualify
2005	6th, East	Did not qualify	Round of 16	Did not qualify
2006	6th, East	Did not qualify	Round of 16	Did not qualify
2007	6th, East	Did not qualify	Did not qualify	Did not qualify	Did not participate
2008	TBD	TBD	TBD	Did not qualify	Did not qualify

* Won MLS Supporters Shield

International competition

• 2001 CONCACAF Giants Cup
  • First round v. Deportivo Saprissa -- 2:0, 1:1 (Saprissa advance 3:1 on aggregate)
• 2003 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
  • First round v. Arabe Unido -- 1:2, 3:0 (Crew advance 4:2 on aggregate)
  • Quarterfinal v. Monarcas Morelia -- 0:6, 2:0 (Morelia advance 6:2 on aggregate)

Columbus Holds a 7-1-2 all-time Record in international Exhibitions

Average attendance

regular season/playoffs

• 1996: 18,950
• 1997: 15,043
• 1998: 12,275
• 1999: 17,696
• 2000: 15,451
• 2001: 17,551
• 2002: 17,429
• 2003: 16,250/Missed Playoffs
• 2004: 16,872/15,224
• 2005: 12,916/Missed Playoffs
• 2006: 13,294/Missed Playoffs
• 2007: 15,230/Missed Playoffs
• All-Time: 16,344

External links

• The Crew
• Hunt Park Insider
• Crew Supporters Union - Local 103 Fan Club
• Official Crew board