Crew Stadium: Parking lot upgrade on horizon

State's $5 million fix can't come soon enough for Crew

Friday,  March 27, 2009 - 3:15 AM

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

Crew fans, take heart: After nine seasons of stuck cars and rut-filled walks toward Crew Stadium, $5 million in state money has been allocated to improve the grass-and-dirt parking lots south of the stadium.  How long the project will take and what it will entail has not been determined, but Ohio Expo Center general manager Virgil Strickler said the plan is to break ground in October.

 

The Crew already has a plan that would include paving all spaces north of Black and Gold Boulevard, grading and drainage improvements to the grass acreage to the south, and adding gravel paths.  But the Crew wants the project to begin sooner, especially after the traffic and parking nightmare in February for a World Cup qualifier.

(. . .)

 

Planned improvements

• $5 million from the state capital budget has been allocated for improvements to the Ohio Expo Center's north parking lots, the main lots for Columbus Crew Stadium.

• The Expo Center plans to break ground in October, although the Crew would prefer to begin sooner.

• A plan designed by a firm hired by the Crew calls for the $5 million to be used to pave all lots north of Black and Gold Boulevard, and improve the grading, drainage and pathways of a large portion of the grass lots to the south.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/03/27/crew_3-27.ART_ART_03-27-09_C1_KTDCARH.html?sid=101

According to today's paper, Toronto's estimating up to 1,500 fans for Saturday's game. That's down from the 2,400 who came to last year's Crew home opener.

 

The deficit is probably comprised of the Toronto fans who were arrested last year for hooliganism.

We were down there today getting a jersey for a gift and the parking fields look rough. Might be time to sponsor a mud wrestling tournament.

Tellin' ya: park in the 'hood and cross the tracks.

We'll have to try that one of these times. My brother likes to take advantage of his SUV's capabilities once in a while.

Hence the condition of the lot. But seriously folks... One major caveat about parking in the neighborhood: you still need to navigate ankle-deep puddles and ruts betwwn the tracks and the Stadium Club. Come on skies: stay clear.

 

By the by, I have two seats (and sometimes more) for every home game. So if anybody's game...

 

By the by, I have two seats (and sometimes more) for every home game. So if anybody's game...

 

If i can ever get a Saturday off of work ill let you know, id love to make the drive down from cleveland for a match or 2.

CREW 1 | TORONTO FC 1

 

Own Goal Costs Crew Victory

Late own-goal spoils festive gala

Sunday,  March 29, 2009 - 3:36 AM

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

Before the game, a ceremony honored the defending Major League Soccer champion Crew.  New shields commemorating the 2008 MLS Cup and Supporters Shield, the Crew's 2002 U.S. Open Cup and the 2004 Supporters Shield were unveiled.

 

Still, as home openers go, this one was a downer for most of the crowd of 14,886 and the team they support.  A late own-goal allowed the Reds to steal a point and push the Crew to 0-0-2 -- not the kind of start envisioned with looming road games at playoff qualifiers Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA. 

 

"The fluke happens," Crew coach Robert Warzycha said of the own-goal, which went into the Crew's net off the head of Gino Padula in the 84th minute.  Padula's attempted clearance hit goalkeeper William Hesmer and the cross bar before going in.  "You have to take the positives from this game," Warzycha said.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/03/29/crew_3-29.ART_ART_03-29-09_C1_UFDCN1J.html?sid=101

It was a very frustrating game. We did get to see the police helicopter chase fan who clearly had been a part of the riot. He ran right by us with the cops in hot pursuit (though the cops were pretty slow - the helicopter not so much). One of the Canadian cheers was "Don't get coughed on - you don't have healthcare" and "Obama can't save you".

Wow. Going after our healthcare system. Harsh.

It was a very frustrating game. We did get to see the police helicopter chase fan who clearly had been a part of the riot. He ran right by us with the cops in hot pursuit (though the cops were pretty slow - the helicopter not so much). One of the Canadian cheers was "Don't get coughed on - you don't have healthcare" and "Obama can't save you".

HA!  I thought only Canadian hockey fans were crazy! 

 

By the way, some Canadian hockey fans really are crazy: see these two articles I posted on the Columbus Blue Jackets Discussion; Fan's threats no game for law enforcement and HOCKEY FAN’S ARREST: Caller left threats as messages.

CHIVAS USA 2, CREW 1

Crew remains winless, but coach sees progress

Monday,  April 6, 2009 - 3:09 AM

By Joseph D'Hippolito

FOR THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

CARSON, Calif. -- In its first visit to the Home Depot Center since winning the MLS Cup in November, the Crew prolonged its poorest start in five years -- and the worst for any defending Major League Soccer champion.  Chivas USA took a 2-1 victory last night in front of 12,827 that extended the Crew's winless streak to four games.

 

Not since 2004 had the Crew (0-2-2) failed to win after four games; the 2004 team lost its first three matches and tied its next two before getting a victory.  The Crew also has the worst start for any defending MLS champion.  The 2003 Los Angeles Galaxy and 2008 Houston Dynamo began their respective seasons after winning the title 0-1-3.

 

READ MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/04/06/crew_4-6.ART_ART_04-06-09_C1_I8DFFUD.html?sid=101

 

<b>Studio 35 Expands Soccer Offerings</b>

By pjguldan | April 2, 2009 4:27pm

 

<img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/studio35logo.png">

 

Soccer fans around town have had several viewing options when trying to catch a game. Fado at Easton, Claddagh downtown, and Ruby Tuesday bar just off campus have attempted to cater to the soccer viewing crowd. Since MLS Cup there has been another soccer watching spot in town. The venerable Clintonville theatre Studio 35 has added more and more soccer programming.

 

MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/studio-35-expands-soccer-offerings

Crew 1, Rapids 1: Rapids' late goal snatches win away from Crew

 

The Crew are now 0-2-3.  Anyone want to see if the Crew can set a record for most ties in a season?

What's the MLS record for most ties in a season?  I think our Crew can beat it!  :|

 

COLUMBUS CREW 2 | CHICAGO FIRE 2

Winless Crew can't close out Fire

Sunday,  April 26, 2009 - 3:44 AM

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

The Crew, so adept at relinquishing one-goal leads, took a different tack last night.  It blew a two-goal lead.

 

Read more at http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/04/26/crew_4-26.ART_ART_04-26-09_C1_CHDLU89.html?sid=101

This game was horribly frustrating. It seemed like we had opened upon a new season after the first half and pretty killed that new season in the last ten minutes. The call against Padula was horid. Maybe a yellow but no way a red. It was awesome to boo Blanco every time he touched the ball. I wonder if he is hated as much elsewhere as he is in Cbus. The defense just ran out of gas. I'm getting a little nervous about some of Warzycha choices - like Robbie Rogers as a sub when we really needed more defense.

An "interesting" development following the Crew's tie against Chicago.  I won't post the entire series of articles, but below are the links.  Here's a quick intro/synopsis from the first article:

 

"The conduct of a top American soccer referee and of one of Major League Soccer's biggest stars during the Crew's 2-2 tie with the Chicago Fire on Saturday is being investigated by the U.S. Soccer Federation and the league." 

 

"Witnesses reported seeing Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco push past attendants at the entrance to the referees' locker room after the game in Columbus Crew Stadium carrying a soccer jersey.  He reportedly tossed the jersey to Jair Marrufo while the referee was in the locker room with his assistants.  Blanco was seen chatting with Marrufo before the game, and witnesses said he later yelled at the referee and his crew outside the locker rooms at halftime.  It is unclear what he said."

 

"Marrufo issued a controversial red card to Crew defender Gino Padula for a foul on Blanco in the second half.  The Crew led 2-0 before Padula's ejection but allowed two goals late in the game while playing a man down."

 

Soccer | Crew: Conduct of rival's star with referee examined

 

Soccer | Crew: Official who took jersey to miss game

 

Michael Arace comentary: U.S. Soccer, MLS both blew it in Blanco case

...oh yeah, and the Crew ties again.   :|

 

Crew gives up the lead yet again

Winless streak hits seven despite chances

TORONTO — The Crew is good.  The Crew is bad.  One thing it never seems to be is lucky.  One thing it has yet to be is a winner.  The Crew played to its fifth tie in seven games yesterday after a 1-1 match with Toronto FC before 19,998.

 

Read more at http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/05/03/crew_5-3.ART_ART_05-03-09_C1_53DO9A6.html?sid=101

 

 

Kissing your sister sure gets old fast, doesn't it.

Crew Cuts: Crew Stadium's Greatest Hits

Thursday,  May 7, 2009

By Chris DeVille, Columbus Alive

 

Crew Stadium turns 10 years old this weekend as Columbus (0-2-5) seeks to break its season-opening slump against the Kansas City Wizards. To celebrate the occasion, the Crew is charging 1999 prices for tickets and concessions.

 

Full Story:

 

http://www.columbusalive.com/live/content/features/stories/2009/05/07/ca_u_crew.html?sid=108

05/09/2009 9:25PM

Gaven's goal gives Crew first win of 2009 season

Columbus gets first victory since 2008 MLS Cup at Wizards' expense

 

By Craig Merz / MLSnet.com Staff

 

COLUMBUS -- Eddie Gaven's goal in the 78th minute proved to be the game-winner, as the Columbus Crew held on in a wild second half for their first win of the season, a 3-2 victory against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday at Crew Stadium.

LA Galaxy 1, Crew 1: Late goal ruins day

Monday,  May 18, 2009 - 3:09 AM

By Joseph D'Hippolito

FOR THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/05/18/crew_5-18.ART_ART_05-18-09_C1_8LDT35E.html?sid=101

It's been a rough start for the defending MLS Champion Columbus Crew.  Injuries and international call-ups have depleted the Crew roster.  And today's game against Chivas is no different.  Frankie Hejduk is nursing an injury and is unlikely to play.  Moreno is back after playing for the Venezuelan national team, but is unlikely to play.  And Chad Marshall is out because of a red card penalty.  So the Crew will need to rely on their reserves today.

 

LINKS: Crew reserves face test today - Game preview: Chivas USA at Crew

 

Despite the rough start, the Crew are still middle-of-the-pack in the standings.  They are unbeaten in their last 8 games (3 wins and 5 ties).  And they've won 2 of the last 3 games, including a convincing 2-0 win against KC in their last match.  If they can manage a win today, it could set the stage for a summer playoff run.  The Crew will play five of their next seven games at home.  With injuries healed and call-ups over, the Crew could finally field a full lineup to complement the stellar play of Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

I've said it before: glad they made their mistakes earlier than later. Starting strong and losing steam is much harder on a team and fans. They're definitely righting the ship after having paid the price for overplaying their winning line-up last season. Chivas is hot as a pistol right now; winning this one game will definitely vault our boys into post-season AND break the grip of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLS_Supporters%27_Shield#Supporters.27_Shield.27s_Jinx">Supporters Shield Jinx</a>. Go Crew!

Great result by Columbus to come from a goal down to win the game over Chivas USA!

SCHELOTTO!!!

 

Schelotto's goals help Crew edge Chivas

 

Argentine star Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season to help the Crew beat visiting Chivas USA 2-1 and extend the Crew's unbeaten streak to nine games.

 

Schelotto entered the game with eight goals, tied with Colorado forward Conor Casey for the Major League Soccer lead.  The 2008 MLS MVP scored in the 61st and 87th minutes to help the Crew overcome a goal in the 39th minute by Eduard Lillingston of Chivas USA.

 

The victory in front of 12,658 sun-drenched fans helped the Crew keep pace in the Eastern Conference, where it now trails leader D.C. United by three points.

Wow.

Im from Cleveland, went to the USA v Mexico game but have yet to make it for a Crew match mainly due to working Saturday nights. But how strongly do the Crew market the club in the Columbus area? Ive been following Seattle a lot this year, and they sell close to 30,000 seats every match and Toronto with 20,000, both seem to do a great job marketing they club to the city, and not to the soccer mom and her 4 kids but to the fan of the game. Its great to see the Nordecke corner packed and singing every match but from what i understand they sell their own tickets(?), but the rest of the stadium shows a lot of empty yellow bleachers.

Seattle and Toronto are much larger markets, and Seattle, being an expansion club, is going to naturally draw larger crowds for its inaugural season (especially with a coach hot off an MLS Cup). Columbus, conversely, is a smaller market, and even with its 2-3 hour proximity to five other metros, is alas, still a smaller market, especially in the summer when a good percentage of its population is home for the summer. Marketing the Crew is an endeavor near and dear to my heart. Soccer marketing budgets are small compared to every other pro sport--in many cases the budget is smaller than most AAA minor league ball clubs. Free publicity is no guarantee of success, either. Even last season, when the Crew was getting a LOT of local and regional ink, they were still never selling much more than 2/3 of the seats (the venue seats 23,000). An inordinate amount of marketing dollars aren't targeted at families, though the Crew does invest a lot in youth leagues and development; the majority of marketing goes toward casual sports fans, college students, and tourists.

 

Columbus is nothing if not a bandwagon town, though it's usually a bandwagon with a big red "O" on the side. The supporter groups (the Hudson Street Hooligans, Crew Local 614, Turbina Amarilla) are a breed apart. There are a substantial number of unaffiliated season ticket holders and the luxury boxes are all occupied. Yes, more tickets could be sold, but the club is doing okay. Facts are fact: soccer is hard to market in the US. That said, I see a lot of empty seats in highlights of European soccer matches.

Its unfortunate that many people are under the impression that "If Sportscenter doesnt show highlights/dissect every single game then it must not be worth following", much like hockey in this country. Id love to see the stadium packed every match but i just dont see it possible right now. But as long as the club is doing good financially then i can live with it. Living in Cleveland i hardly ever see anything Crew related in the papers or tv ads, but with a small budget like you mentioned i can see why. Thanks for the explanation on the budget, and i never knew Columbus was that big of a bandwagon town.

 

I think the 5 to 8,000 crowds in Dallas are a huge problem though. Steps are being made and the talent and overall play in the league is getting better every season and the league will only get better with Philadelphia next season and Portland/Vancouver the following year coming into the league. Long term i really see the league pushing overtaking hockey (even though that is my number one sport), and possibly basketball someday.

The success of Philly club is an open question because the team isn't actually in Philly, it's in Chester about a half hour from Philly itself.

The success of Philly club is an open question because the team isn't actually in Philly, it's in Chester about a half hour from Philly itself.

 

Huge problem. Stadiums need to be downtown or as close to downtown as possible and part of the urban make of the city. Kansas City's new stadium will be in the same position as Philly/Chester, Build a stadium as well as housing/shops around it. 

^Clippers Stadium is doing great downtown. Granted, it's the first season in the new digs, and it IS baseball, but one imagines what a sexier location might do for the numbers for the Crew.

I can think of a few nearly vacant malls around Columbus that would be good for a Crew Stadium and interesting most of them are more tied into the local fabric than the current location, which in all honesty sucks. I do wonder if that stadium could in part be taken apart and put back together somewhere else. It looks bolted together mostly.

Crew players named to U.S. roster; Columbus will host two games

   

Defender Chad Marshall and midfielder Robbie Rogers of the Crew were named to the United States roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.  Rogers made his first U.S. appearance against Sweden on Jan. 24.  Marshall has played four times for the U.S., most recently in 2005.  They will remain with the Crew for Saturday’s game before joining the U.S. team. 

   

More at http://www.crewxtra.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/06/26/wire_0626.ART_ART_06-26-09_C2_24E9SMH.html?sid=101

Schelotto nominated for Espy

 

Guillermo Barros Schelotto has been nominated for an ESPN ESPY award in the category of "Best MLS player" along with Jon Busch, Landon Donovan, Juan Pablo Angel and Kenny Cooper.  The awards will be presented on July 15 and the taped ESPYshow will air July 19.

 

http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2009/06/schelotto_nominated_for_espy.shtml

This is the ring that will be presented to members of the Crew for winning the Major League Soccer championship last season.  The Crew will receive the jewelry at an on-field, pregame ceremony prior to Saturday night’s matchup against the New York Red Bulls.

 

CREW 1, RED BULLS 0

Healthy Crew ekes out tight home win

Lineup infusion helps send fans home happy

Sunday,  June 28, 2009 - 3:40 AM

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

The Crew, its health restored, made some major changes to its lineup before a 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls last night in front of 15,575 in Columbus Crew Stadium.

 

Full Story:

 

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/06/28/crew_6-28.ART_ART_06-28-09_C1_R6EAIOH.html?sid=101

Great win!

^^Thanks, Frankie. I'm glad somebody noticed how ugly the Championship match was.

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

 

The Crew will hopefully be celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks and a win against D.C. United.  D.C. is in first place in the MLS Eastern Division.  The Crew are only one point behind in second place.  A win over D.C. would vault the Crew into first place.  So this is a big game for both teams.

 

If you have other 4th of July plans or are out of town and can't attend the game, it will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 7:00PM.  Next Saturday's road game in Chicago will also be on ESPN2 at 8:00PM (July 11).

 

For more info go to http://columbus.crew.mlsnet.com/t102/

COLUMBUS CREW 1 | D.C. UNITED 1

Crew staves off defeat

United scores only once despite 11 shots on goal

Sunday,  July 5, 2009 - 3:36 AM

By Shawn Mitchell, The Columbus Dispatch

 

First-place D.C. United brought the most potent offense in Major League Soccer last night for a match with the Crew, which trailed its rival by a point in the Eastern Conference standings.  United, the league leader in goals (26), lived up to its billing in a 1-1 tie in front of a damp holiday audience of 14,370.

 

Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/07/05/crew_7-5.ART_ART_07-05-09_C1_M9ECO64.html?sid=101

The Crew holds on to a 0-0 tie at Chicago.  That tie tightens the Eastern Conference race into a four-way knot.  Chicago and Toronto lead with 25 points.  D.C. and Columbus are right behind with 24 points.

 

LINK: Hesmer shines as Crew hold Chicago on road

Schelotto, Marshall on All-Star First XI

Posted by Shawn Mitchell on July 13, 2009 - 3:32 PM

http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2009/07/schelotto_marshall_on_allstar.shtml

 

Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Chad Marshall of the Crew have been named to the MLS All-Star Game First XI.

 

Read more: http://blog.dispatch.com/crew/2009/07/schelotto_marshall_on_allstar.shtml[/b]

Obama welcomes Crew to White House

Monday, July 13, 2009 - 3:57 PM

By Jonathan Riskind, The Columbus Dispatch

 

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is known for loving basketball, but in a Rose Garden ceremony this afternoon to honor the MLS champion Columbus Crew he enthusiastically accepted a personalized Crew jersey and even showed he knows what to do with a soccer ball.  "Nice. That's what I like," Obama said as Crew owner Clark Hunt presented the president with an autographed soccer ball and a bright yellow Crew jersey complete with "Obama" and the number "44" on the back, as in the 44th president of United States.

 

 

 

Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/07/13/crew_obama.html?sid=101

Crew vs. Real Salt Lake saturday in columbus at 8 pm. Lets get this stadium full!

Looks like a combination of injuries, tournament participation and a yellow-card suspension will leave the Crew very short handed for this Saturday's home game against Salt Lake.

 

Soccer notebook: Crew's Schelotto to miss game because of injury

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/07/16/0716crew.html?sid=101

 

Crew all-star and Major League Soccer leading scorer Guillermo Barros Schelotto suffered an injury to his left hamstring during a 0-0 tie at Chicago on Saturday night and is expected to miss this Saturday's home game against Real Salt Lake.

 

More: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/07/16/0716crew.html?sid=101[/b]

 

Impressive win for the Crew last night.  The win leaves Columbus one point behind Chicago in the Eastern Division and tied with D.C. for second.

 

Crew 3 | Real Salt Lake 1: Reserves shine as Crew ties MLS mark

Garey, Lenhart score as home unbeaten string reaches 18

 

With the Crew missing Major League Soccer's leading scorer and half of its starting lineup because of injury, national-team duty or suspension, reserve forwards Jason Garey and Steven Lenhart combined for three goals to beat Real Salt Lake 3-1 last night and leave a Columbus Crew Stadium crowd buzzing.  The victory extended the Crew's home unbeaten streak to 18 games, tying the MLS record set by San Jose in 2004-05, and also tied San Jose in consecutive games unbeaten at home including playoffs (20).

 

Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/07/19/crew19.ART_ART_07-19-09_C1_GKEH29H.html?sid=101