Thursday, March 6, 2008


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
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

MLS Supporters' Shield:

  • Winner (1): 2004 League

    US Open Cup:

    • Winner (1): 2002
      Runner-up (1): 1998 Cups

      Carolina Challenge Cup (pre-season): 2004 Invitational
      As of December 1, 2007 The players in bold have senior international caps
      Source: http://web.mlsnet.com/players/index.jsp?club=t102

      Columbus Crew Current roster
      In
      Out

      Flag of the United States Brian Carroll From San Jose Earthquakes
      Flag of England Andy Iro Drafted 6th overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
      Flag of the United States George Josten Drafted 20th overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
      Flag of Haiti Ricardo Pierre-Louis Drafted 22nd overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
      Flag of the United States Ryan Miller Drafted 31st overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
      Flag of the United States Steve Lenhart Drafted 48th overall in 2008 MLS Superdraft
      Flag of the United States Ned Grabavoy Drafted to San Jose Earthquakes in the Expansion Draft
      Flag of Sierra Leone Kei Kamara To San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for Brian Carroll
      Flag of Chile Marcos Gonzalez To Universidad Catolica
      Flag of England Ben Hunter Waived
      Flag of the United States Jacob Thomas Waived Changes for the 2008 MLS Season

      Flag of the United States Edson Buddle (2001–2005)
      Flag of Costa Rica Daniel Torres (2001–2003)
      Flag of the United States Jon Busch (2002—2006)
      Flag of the United States Jeff Cunningham (1998–2004)
      Flag of the United States Thomas Dooley (1997–1999)
      Flag of the United States Mark Dougherty (soccer) (1998-2001)
      Flag of Trinidad and Tobago Ansil Elcock (1997–2001)
      Flag of the United States Robin Fraser (2004–2005)
      Flag of the United States Brad Friedel (1996–1997)
      Flag of the United States John Harkes (2001–2002)
      Flag of Trinidad and Tobago Stern John (1998–1999)
      Flag of South Africa Doctor Khumalo (1996–1997)
      Flag of the United States Brian Maisonneuve (1996–2004)
      Flag of the United States Kyle Martino (2002–2006)
      Flag of the United States Brian McBride (1996–2003)
      Flag of the United States Billy Thompson (1996–2000)
      Flag of Colombia John Wilmar Perez (2000–2002)
      Flag of Poland Robert Warzycha (1996–2002)
      Flag of Argentina Guillermo Barros Schelotto (2007–present)
      Flag of the United States Frankie Hejduk (2003-present)
      Flag of Venezuela Alejandro Moreno (2007-present)
      Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ezra Hendrickson (2006-present)
      Flag of England Ian Woan (2001) Notable players

      Flag of Finland Timo Liekoski (1996)
      Flag of the United States Tom Fitzgerald (1996–2001)
      Flag of the United States Greg Andrulis (2001–2005)
      Flag of Poland Robert Warzycha (2005; interim)
      Flag of Germany Sigi Schmid (2006—) Head coaches
      MLS regular season only, through 2006 season

      Games: Flag of the United States Mike Clark, 221
      Goals: Flag of the United States Brian McBride and Flag of the United States Jeff Cunningham, 62
      Assists: Flag of Poland Robert Warzycha, 61
      Shutouts: Flag of the United States Jon Busch, 25
      All-Time regular season record: 149-158-61 (Through Oct. 21, 2007) Team records

      Ohio Stadium (1996–1999)
      Columbus Crew Stadium (1999–current) Stadiums
      * Won MLS Supporters Shield

      International competition
      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

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