Columbus Crew

Template:MLS team 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 The 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 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.

During the 2005 season the Crew experienced their second worst average attendance since 1996 due to a poor season record.

Historically, the team has had three major supporters' groups: Legion 04, the V-Army, and Fort Knox. Prior to the 2007 MLS season, these groups merged to form the Crew Supporters Union: Local 103.

Television and radio

Crew matches are telecast on Ohio News Network, after some years on FSN Ohio. Radio broadcasts appear on "The Brew" WBWR-FM and in Spanish on Radio Sol WXOL.

Dwight Burgess provides play-by-play with Dr. Jay Martin and Andy Krahling doing color commentary.

Team honors

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

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

Current roster

As of March 11 2007 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	MF	USA	Frankie Hejduk
3	FW	USA	Brad Evans
4	DF	USA	Rusty Pierce
5	MF	USA	Danny O'Rourke
6	DF	CHI	Marcos González
7	MF	USA	Jacob Thomas
8	MF	NZL	Duncan Oughton (captain)
9	FW	USA	Jason Garey
10	FW	ZIM	Joseph Ngwenya
11	MF	USA	Ned Grabavoy
12	MF	USA	Eddie Gaven
13	FW	USA	Marc Burch
14	DF	USA	Chad Marshall
15	MF	BRA	Stefani Miglioranzi
16	FW	SLE	Kei Kamara
17	MF	USA	Danny Szetela

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
20	DF	USA	Tim Ward
21	MF	USA	Brandon Moss
22	MF	USA	Robbie Rogers
23	DF	VIN	Ezra Hendrickson
24	DF	USA	Jed Zayner
25	MF	BRA	Ricardo Virtuoso
26	FW	CRC	Andy Herron
27	DF	USA	Ryan Junge †
28	FW	ENG	Ben Hunter †
29	FW	USA	Aaron Chandler †
30	GK	USA	Bill Gaudette
—	GK	USA	Andy Gruenebaum
—	MF	USA	Kevin Burns †
—	MF	USA	Ted Niziolek †
—	MF	CRO	Tonci Skroce †

Source: 3/17/07 Crew official roster webpage

† Unsigned player

Changes for the 2007 MLS Season

In

• Andy Herron Traded from Chicago
• Will Hesmer Traded from Toronto
• Stefani Miglioranzi Traded from Los Angeles
• Danny O'Rourke Traded from Toronto
• Robbie Rogers Signed from weighted lottery

Out

• Jon Busch Released by team, rights subsequently traded to Toronto
• Ivan Becerra Released by team
• Knox Cameron Released by team
• Ryan Coiner Traded to Chicago, subsequently retired
• Ritchie Kotschau Drafted by Toronto FC in expansion draft, subsequently released by team
• Chris Leitch Released by team, rights subsequently traded to Red Bull New York
• Noah Palmer Released by team
• Jose Retiz Released by team
• Sebastian Rozental Transferred to Maccabi Petah Tikva FC, Israel
• Eric Vasquez Released by team, signed with Miami FC
• Jonny Walker Retired

Notable former players

• Edson Buddle (2001–2005)
• Jon Busch (2002—2006)
• Jeff Cunningham (1998–2004)
• Thomas Dooley (1997–1999)
• Ansil Elcock (1997–2001)
• Robin Fraser (2004–2005)
• Brad Friedel (1996–1997)
• John Harkes (2001–2002)
• Frankie Hejduk (2003—)
• 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)

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
• Clean Sheets: Jon Busch, 25

MLS regular season only, through 2006 season

Stadiums

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

Year-by-year

Year	Reg. Season	Playoffs	Open Cup
1996	4th, East	Quarterfinals	Did not enter
1997	3rd, East	Semifinals	Did not enter
1998	2nd, East	Semifinals	Final
1999	2nd, East	Semifinals	Semifinals
2000	4th, Central	Did not qualify	Quarterfinals
2001	2nd, Central	Quarterfinals	Quarterfinals
2002	2nd, East	Semifinals	Champions
2003	5th, East	Did not qualify	Round of 16
2004	1st, East*	Quarterfinals	Round of 16
2005	6th, East	Did not qualify	Round of 16
2006	6th, East	Did not qualify	Round of 16

* Won MLS Supporters Shield

International competition

• 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)

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
• All-Time: 16,344

Famous supporters

• Bowling for Soup - Pop Punk Band
• Karry Shreeve - Comedian

External links

• The Crew
• Soccer Capital News
• Hunt Park Insider
• V-Army Fan Club
• Legion04 Fan Club
• Official Crew board