Topic: Columbus Crew Discussion

[Columbo]

Crew clinches spot in CONCACAF quarterfinals

BAYAMON, Puerto Rico — The Columbus Crew secured a spot in the CONCACAF quarterfinals Tuesday night with a 1-1 tie against the Puerto Rico Islanders.  The Islanders had scored at 33 minutes on a shot that Noah Delgado sent past goalkeeper William Hesmer.  Columbus, which has clinched first place in the MLS’ Eastern Conference, came from behind to tie with 16 minutes to play on a strike by Emilio Renteria, who was rebounding a shot by Steven Lenhart.

Full story at http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-columbus-puertorico&prov=ap&type=lgns

More on the game at http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2009/10/crew_1_islanders_1.shtml

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Crew clinch second straight Supporters' Shield
Defending MLS Cup champions become second back-to-back winners

COLUMBUS - The Columbus Crew clinched its second consecutive Supporters' Shield on Thursday night by virtue of Chivas USA's 1-0 loss to the Chicago Fire.  The Crew has a record of 13-6-10 for 49 points and cannot be caught by any clubs.

Full story at http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20091022&content_id=7530240&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp

[Columbo]

The Crew lost their final regular season game to New England 1-0 last night.  The game meant nothing to the Crew but plently to the Revs, as the Revs took the final spot in the MLS Playoffs.  The playoff schedule starts Thursday at Seattle. 

The Crew will play at Real Salt Lake on Saturday (6 p.m., ONN) and play host to RSL in the second game of the two-game, total-goal series on Thursday, Nov. 5 (8 p.m., ESPN2).

The full schedule is at http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2009/10/firstround_playoff_schedule.shtml.

[dmerkow]

The ref was bad and I lost my voice - those were connected. The Crew aren't very good with the third string center defense in (Zayner and Iro), no Marshall, Brunner, O'Rourke.

[Columbo]

The Crew go down 1-0 to Real Salt Lake.  In a game that looked to be headed for a 0-0 tie, RSL scores a quick-strike goal in the 88th minute. 

More on the match at Real Salt Lake's win puts Crew on the ropes

Match stats at http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/mls/matchStats?gameId=2009103118

[Columbo]

The 2009 season comes to a disappointing end for the Crew.  Needing to win this game by two goals to advance to the conference final, the Crew takes a 2-0 lead 35 minutes into the first half on two Schelotto goals.  However, Real Salt Lake does not fade away and scores two quick goals to tie the game into halftime.  An another Salt Lake goal in the second half clinches the game and the series for RSL. 

[kingfish out of water]

It was a great season for the boys, though. I feel like the CONCACAF duty was wearing 'em down. Still, not a bad follow-up to their 2008 MLS Cup and a great first season from Warzycha. And oh yeah: The Supporters Shield was nice, too.

GO get some rest CREW!

[dmerkow]

That was an intense match and the ref . . . well if one was of a certain cast of mind one might think the MLS didn't want a CBus repeat. Nonetheless, Champions League here we come.

This will be an interesting off-season I'd imagine.

[Columbo]

Trio of off-season Crew roster news.  First, GBS is out of contract (again) while his agents and Crew management dance around how much it will take to re-sign him for another year.  

Schelotto gone for good?

Guillermo Barros Schelotto might not return to the Crew next season, the MLS MVP said today.  Schelotto, who is out of contract, said he and the Crew are “very far apart’ in contract negotiations.  MLS keeps all contract information confidential, but a source with knowledge of negotiations said the Crew had offered to re-sign Schelotto to a contract that would pay him 65 percent less than the $650,000 base salary he was paid this season.  A 65 percent pay cut would drop his base salary to $227,500.  Another source close to the situation said Schelotto was offered $250,000, $75,000 less than he was originally offered last season, and that Schelotto would likely look to play elsewhere if a suitable deal could not be reached.  Schelotto and his agents eventually secured a contract that paid him double the Crew's original offer of $325,000 for 2009.

More at http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2009/11/schelotto_gone_for_good.shtml

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Next, the Crew needed to decide which players would be protected and who would be left unprotected in this week's expansion draft for the new Philadelphia team.  Below is the protected and unprotected lists.

Exposed
Crew captain Frankie Hejduk is among the players that could be selected by the expansion Philadelphia Union during the Major League Soccer expansion draft on Wednesday.  Teams could protect 11 players.  The Crew left a talented trio of defenders exposed, including veterans Hejduk and Gino Padula and the younger Andy Iro.  Philadelphia will select 10 players, no more than one from each team.  The Crew lost two-way midfielder Brad Evans to the Seattle Sounders in an expansion draft last year.

Protected
D Eric Brunner
MF Brian Carroll
MF Emmanuel Ekpo
MF Eddie Gaven
GK William Hesmer
F Steven Lenhart
D Chad Marshall
MF Adam Moffat
D/MF Danny O’Rourke
MF Robbie Rogers
MF/F Guillermo Barros Schelotto
D Jed Zayner (Generation adidas)

Unprotected
MF Kevin Burns
MF Cory Elenio
F Jason Garey
MF Alex Grendi
GK Andy Gruenebaum
D Frankie Hejduk
D Andy Iro
F Alejandro Moreno
MF Stanley Nyazamba
MF Duncan Oughton
D Gino Padula
F Emilio Renteria
GK Kenny Schoeni

More at http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2009/11/crew_protected_players.shtml

[Columbo]

And finally, Moreno was the Crew player chosen by the Philadelphia Union in this Wednesday's expansion draft.

Moreno to Philly
Veteran Crew forward Alejandro Moreno was one of 10 Major League Soccer players selected by the Philadelphia Union in an expansion draft today.  Moreno, 30, scored 20 goals in 74 games for the Crew since he was acquired from the Houston Dynamo in May 2007.  He had nine goals and was the leading scorer on the 2008 MLS Cup championship team.  Moreno’s production dropped this season to four goals in 22 games.  He said his regular call-ups to the Venezuelan national team probably hurt his standing with the Crew.

More at http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2009/11/moreno_to_philly_updated.shtml

[kingfish out of water]

Very sad. Moreno was a real spark plug. I'll miss running into him at Costco.

[Columbo]

Very good news!

Crew, Schelotto agree on contract, sources say
Tuesday,  January 12, 2010 - 4:19 PM
By Shawn Mitchell
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Former Major League Soccer MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto has agreed in principle to a new contract with the Crew, multiple sources said today.

Although neither the Crew nor MLS offices had received a signed copy of a new contract by this afternoon, Schelotto's American agent, Peter Smith, said the Argentine playmaker will return to the Crew.  Details of player contracts are kept confidential by MLS, but sources said Schelotto's new deal is for one season with a team option for 2011.

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/01/12/0112-crew-schelotto-agree-on-contract.html?sid=101

[cardsnxtyr]

  AWESOME

BTW, I am super pumped about the upcoming MLS campaign (if a deal is reached with the CBA and a strike is avoided). The addition of Philadelphia Union to mls is going to be great and I cant wait to see what the atmosphere will be like inside their stadium. Red Bull New York's is opening their new stadium, which will put all other MLS stadiums to shame. And were also one year away from adding Portland and Vancouver to the Pacific Northwest.

[Columbo]

Crew: Schelotto re-signing finally a done deal
Wednesday,  January 20, 2010 - 2:53 AM
By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

The Crew made it official yesterday: Guillermo Barros Schelotto will remain with the team in 2010.  The Crew, after lengthy contract negotiations, announced that it re-signed the Argentine star for a fourth season.  It will be the 20th year of Schelotto's career, during which he has won 18 professional championships.

Contract terms were not disclosed, but Schelotto's deal is for one season, with a club option for 2011, as reported by the Dispatch last Wednesday.  Sources said Schelotto will be paid more than the $335,000 maximum (non-designated player) salary but less than the $650,000 he made in 2009.  The former Boca Juniors star is expected to travel later this week from Argentina, where he spends his offseasons, to his home in the New Albany area.

Full article at http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/01/20/crew_1-20.ART_ART_01-20-10_C7_JUGBRUJ.html?sid=101

[Columbo]

Two MLS/Crew news items from The Dispatch's Columbus Crew blog:

• Major League Soccer and its players union have agreed to continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement through Feb. 12, delaying any potential work stoppage.

• Tickets to the Crew's March 9 Champions League quarterfinal opener against Toluca are on sale via Ticketmaster and the stadium box office.  Prices range from $25-$45.

Full blog entry at http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2010/01/mls_union_agree_to_negotiate_t.shtml

[Columbo]

Crew heads to camp searching for scoring punch
Sunday,  January 31, 2010 - 3:29 AM
By Shawn Mitchell
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The collective-bargaining agreement between Major League Soccer and its players union will expire tonight.  There will be no work stoppage.  The sides have agreed to continue to negotiate and proceed with the preseason, at least for two more weeks.  That has bought the Crew enough time to head to Bradenton, Florida and turn its attention to another matter: Who will score the Crew's goals this season?

The Crew scored 50 goals in the championship season of 2008, second in MLS.  It scored 41 last year, fifth of 15 teams.  In both seasons, the Crew, with a goals-by-committee offense, was the league's best team in the regular season.  But Coach Warzycha, more comfortable winning 4-2 than 1-0, wants more from his forwards.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto led the Crew with 12 goals, tied for third in MLS.  He is the first Crew player to score a dozen goals in a season since Brian McBride in 2003.  But Schelotto at his best is more starter than finisher.  He needs a partner, a true forward to strike with speed, power and consistency.  Garey has scored more goals per minutes played than any player other than Schelotto.  He seems the most likely candidate to replace Moreno and, ideally, produce more than the 20 goals that Moreno contributed in his three seasons.

Full article at http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/01/31/crew_1-31.ART0_ART_01-31-10_C5_HNGF06J.html?sid=101

[Columbo]

2010 Crew MLS schedule

March
03/27 - Saturday Toronto 4:00 p.m. ONN
April
04/10 - Saturday at FC Dallas 8:30 p.m. ONN
04/24 - Saturday Real Salt Lake 7:30 p.m. ONN
May
05/01 - Saturday at Seattle 10:30 p.m. ONN
05/08 - Saturday New England 7:00 p.m. FSC
05/15 - Saturday Chivas USA 7:30 p.m. ONN
05/20 - Thursday at New York 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
05/23 - Sunday at Kansas City 4:00 p.m. ONN
05/29 - Saturday LA Galaxy 7:30 p.m. ONN
June
06/02 - Wednesday at San Jose 10:00 p.m. ONN
06/05 - Saturday at Colorado TBD ONN
06/26 - Saturday D.C. United 7:30 p.m. ONN
July
07/03 - Saturday Chicago 8:00 p.m. FSC
07/10 - Saturday at Houston 8:30 p.m. ONN
07/14 - Wednesday Kansas City 7:30 p.m. ONN
07/17 - Saturday New York 7:30 p.m. ONN
07/24 - Saturday Houston 7:30 p.m. ONN
07/31 - Saturday at Chivas USA 10:30 p.m. ONN
August
08/05 - Thursday at Philadelphia 8:00 p.m. ESPN2
08/14 - Saturday at Real Salt Lake 9:00 p.m. ONN
08/21 - Saturday Colorado 7:30 p.m. ONN
08/28 - Saturday FC Dallas 4:00 p.m. ONN/Telefutura
September
09/04 - Saturday at D.C. United 7:30 p.m. FSC
09/11 - Saturday at LA Galaxy 10:30 p.m. ONN
09/18 - Saturday Seattle 7:30 p.m. ONN
09/25 - Saturday at New England 7:30 p.m. ONN
October
10/02 - Saturday San Jose 7:30 p.m. ONN
10/08 - Friday at Chicago 8:30 p.m. ONN
10/16 - Saturday at Toronto FC 4:00 p.m. ONN
10/24 - Sunday Philadelphia 4:00 p.m. ONN

More at http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2010/02/2010_crew_mls_schedule_updated.shtml

[Columbo]

Crew signs striker to replace Moreno
Saturday,  February 6, 2010 - 2:55 AM
By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

The Crew filled what it considered the biggest chink in its armor yesterday, signing Colombian striker Sergio Herrera.  He is the leading candidate to replace veteran Alejandro Moreno, who was selected by the Philadelphia Union in the expansion draft.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Herrera is expected to make more than $200,000 in 2010 and will be one of the Crew's highest-paid players.  His contract is guaranteed for one season, with a club option for three more.

Herrera, 28, spent 2007-2009 with Deportivo Cali of the Colombian national league, scoring 26 times in 92 games.  He has also played in the top leagues in Brazil and Saudi Arabia in a 10-year pro career.  Herrera has scored four goals in 11 appearances with the Colombian national team.

Full article at http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/02/06/crew_2-6.ART_ART_02-06-10_C3_48GH1PO.html?sid=101

[Columbo]

Schelotto feels at home here
Crew playmaker says returning to Columbus worth smaller paycheck
Sunday,  February 7, 2010 - 3:41 AM
By Shawn Mitchell
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

According to team officials, the Crew needed room to wiggle under the salary cap.  An aging Schelotto would have to be stripped of his designated-player status, which allowed the Crew to pay him above the league maximum.  He would have to take a pay cut, in part to create space for Friday's signing of Colombian striker Sergio Herrera.

After some wrangling, Schelotto agreed to a deal that sources say will pay him more than the $250,000 he was originally offered but less than the $650,000 he made last season -- and far less than the $1 million first floated by Schelotto and his agent last summer.  Other MLS teams might have been willing to trade for the rights to Schelotto and perhaps pay him more.  And as is usually the case in the offseason, Argentine clubs were vying for his services.

So why would a player of Schelotto's stature -- 18 championships and an icon in Buenos Aires -- agree to such a deal?  "I come back because I like Columbus," he said.  "We needed to fix some numbers on the new contract, but most important for me was to (stay) in Columbus. The United States is beautiful, but I love Columbus. It is best."

Full article at http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/02/07/crew_2-7.ART_ART_02-07-10_C3_I7GH1AL.html?sid=101

[Columbo]

Hejduk, Schelotto suspended for game
Tuesday,  March 2, 2010 - 2:51 AM
By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

Crew captain Frankie Hejduk and star forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto are suspended and will not play against Mexican club Toluca in the opener of a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series next Tuesday, March 9 in Columbus Crew Stadium.

Hejduk and Schelotto earned one-game suspensions from CONCACAF for yellow cards they accumulated in the group stage.  Defender Danny O'Rourke is expected to take Hejduk's place in the lineup at right back.  Crew coach Robert Warzycha has several options to replace Schelotto, including new Colombian striker Sergio Herrera.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/03/02/hejduk-schelotto-suspended-for-game.html?sid=101

[dmerkow]

And Zayner got hurt and probably out 4-6 weeks.

[Columbo]

Sheesh.  Crew players are dropping left and right...

Marshall to miss match vs. Toluca
Friday,  March 5, 2010 - 3:41 AM
By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

All-Star defender Chad Marshall has joined the growing list of Crew players who will not participate in a Champions League quarterfinal Tuesday.  Marshall suffered a hamstring injury during preseason practice in Arizona last week that will keep him out of both quarterfinal games against Toluca of Mexico and could keep him from playing in the Major League Soccer opener March 27 against Toronto FC.

The Crew defense will be seriously short-handed during Tuesday's opener.  Marshall and defender Jed Zayner (knee) will miss the game because of injuries.  Right back and team captain Frankie Hejduk and star forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto will serve a one-game suspension because of caution accumulation.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/03/05/marshall-to-miss-match-vs--toluca.html

[Columbo]

Just in time for tonight's Champions League match with Toluca - an unexpected honor for our Crew Stadium...

From: http://blackandgoldstandard.com/?p=2750

Stadia Magazine names Crew Stadium #1 stadium of the decade



LINK: FULL ARTICLE AT STADIA MAGAZINE

[Columbo]

Toluca 2, Crew 2: Lenhart's two goals steal a tie

Bad first half.  Great second half.  It looked like a shorthanded Columbus Crew team was going to be way behind the Mexican Toluca team after trailing 2-0 at halftime in the opening game of the home-and-home, total-goal Champions League quarterfinal.  But the Crew rallied to tie on two brilliant second half goals by Steven Lenhart.  Lenhart scored his first goal after chesting an Epko pass onto his right foot in the 66th minute.  The tying goal came after a nice entry pass from Renteria to Lenhart in the 84th minute. 

According to the article linked above: "Lenhart's goals put Toluca and the Crew on near equal footing heading into the second game next Wednesday in Toluca.  To advance, the Crew must win or score at least three goals in a tie to advance because of how CONCACAF uses goals scored on the road as a tiebreaker."  and  "No MLS team has ever won a game in Mexico."

[dmerkow]

I'm pretty sure there were more Toluca fans there than Crew fans, though I think many were willing to cheer for both teams when they scored. The parking lot was an embarrassment yet again. Multiple folks got stuck in the mud.

[Columbo]

Not very good news on the Major League Soccer labor front...

MLS PLAYERS UNION VOTES TO STRIKE IF NECESSARY
MLS players unified behind possibility of strike
By Jeff Carlisle, Special to ESPNsoccernet
March 12, 2010

For weeks, the MLS Players Union has insisted that it was unified enough to initiate a work stoppage.  On Thursday, the players moved a step closer to proving their point, with multiple sources indicating that they voted 383-2 to go on strike if a new collective bargaining agreement between the union and MLS has not been agreed upon by 12:01 a.m. ET on March 23.

The vote, which was conducted March 1 by secret ballot, grants the union's Bargaining Committee the authority to call a strike.  Barring a settlement or change in plan, the work stoppage is set to begin just two days before the first game of the season, between Seattle Sounders FC and the expansion Philadelphia Union.

The vote is the clearest indication yet of the lengths the union will go to in order to obtain more guaranteed contracts, fewer unilateral contract options, and some form of free agency for out-of-contract players.

FULL ARTICLE: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=754600&sec=mls&root=mls&cc=5901

[Columbo]

The Crew play the second game of the home-and-home Champions League quarterfinal with Toluca tonight.  Its in Mexico but will be televised on the Fox Soccer Channel at 8PM. 

To whet your appetite, here are the highlights from last week's 2-2 game at Crew Stadium: http://www.concacaf.com/page/CL/Video/HighlightsDetail2/0,,12813~1989335,00.html

For the Crew to advance, they will need either a win or a tie of 3-3 or greater.  A 2-2 tie will send the game into overtime and then PK's, if still tied.  A 0-0 or 1-1 tie will allow Toluca to advance.  Champions League uses away game goals as a tie-breaker.

[Columbo]

It looked for a while like the Crew might advance past Toluca into Champions League semifinals.  The Crew took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a Schelotto penalty kick from a Toluca handball-in-the-box penalty.  But Toluca started the second half strong with a penalty kick goal in the 47th minute and a beautiful free kick goal by Toluca's captain in the 57th minute to take a 2-1 lead. 

The Crew rallied to a 2-2 tie in the 70th minute.  Lenhart kicked a beautiful crossing pass from O'Rourke into the right post - which deflected to Schelotto who knocked it into the net.  A 2-2 tie would have been enough to force an overtime.  But the Crew's hopes of advancing were short lived.  Toluca's captain scored another, almost identical, free kick goal in the 72th minute.  Then Lenhart received a red card for an off-the-ball incident in the 80th minute.  Toluca wins 3-2 and advances to the semis.

[FerrariEnzo]

Who carries their games?  FSN?

[Columbo]

The two Champions League were on FSC (Fox Soccer Channel) - which I get on my satellite dish. 

Most of the regular season games are on ONN (Ohio News Network) - which I don't get on my satellite dish.   

A few regular season games are on the 2010 schedule will be on FSC and ESPN2.

[FerrariEnzo]

The two Champions League were on FSC (Fox Soccer Channel) - which I get on my satellite dish. 

Most of the regular season games are on ONN (Ohio News Network) - which I don't get on my satellite dish.   

A few regular season games are on the 2010 schedule will be on FSC and ESPN2.

Thanks!  You hear about how they want to keep Donovan @ Everton?  They have a facebook fanpage to keep him there with like 11,000 members.  Nice to see MLS players making a splash, legitimizes the league.  Now only if we can go deep into the World Cup...

[Columbo]

Great news for MLS!  Any work stoppage would have been bad for the league.  And now the Crew can focus on this weekend's game against Toronto.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
League, players resolve labor issues
Season to start on time after lengthy bargaining sessions
Sunday,  March 21, 2010
By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

Major League Soccer players will not strike and the season will start as scheduled after the league and its players union agreed in principle to a new collective-bargaining agreement.  The five-year deal was signed shortly before 1 p.m. yesterday and followed months of negotiations.

A marathon session that included officials from both sides and more than 20 players began Thursday in Washington, one week before the season's opening game, and continued overnight Friday and into yesterday morning.

The Crew will open its season at 4 p.m. Saturday when it plays host to Toronto FC.

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/03/21/league-players-resolve-labor-issues.html?sid=101

More from ESPN'S Soccernet: MLS avoids strike with 5-year CBA

[BUCKEYE54]

Very good news! A strike would have been horrible for the league. It should be an exciting year for the mls with the new team in philly,new stadium for new york,a second year to build upon for seattle,and hopefully more interest in us soccer from the world cup.

[FerrariEnzo]

Very good news! A strike would have been horrible for the league. It should be an exciting year for the mls with the new team in philly,new stadium for new york,a second year to build upon for seattle,and hopefully more interest in us soccer from the world cup.

The Red Bull Stadium in NY is amazing here is a link for those interested to its construction thread @skyscraperpage.com
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=129467&page=5&highlight=bull