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.
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Source: http://web.mlsnet.com/players/index.jsp?club=t102
Changes for the 2008 MLS Season
In
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
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)
- First round v.
- 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)
- First round v.
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