This was (eventually) a fun win.  But I don't want to go through too many more games like that!

 

In this "must-win" game - first it looked like the Crew were giving away the game, going down 2-0 after only 23 minutes.  Then the Crew come roaring back with two beautiful free-kick goals from Higuain and one nifty finishing goal from Arrieta to take a 3-2 halftime lead.  Then it looked like the Crew were giving away the win when Julius James literally tackled a NE player in the box at the 81st minute to set up a 3-3 tying PK goal.  But Arrieta added one more sweet finishing goal in the 86th minute to seal the win. (WHEW!!)  If you want to see the entire roller-coaster ride, see the MLS game highlights below:

 

MLS: GAME HIGHLIGHTS - NEW ENGLAND AT COLUMBUS - 8-25-12

 

The fatigue of all these games might weigh down the Crew on Wednesday's game at Philly.  Plus, Andy Gruenebaum got subbed out at halftime due a bruised lower back.  His backup Matt Lampson played a good second half.  But if Gruenebaum can't go Wednesday, the Crew might need to use the backup to our backup keeper on the road for a full 90.

Crazy, Crazy game last night but it ended how we all wanted it to.  Union 1 - Crew 2.  I did not watch the game, but the Union's goal was a real bit luck.  With a free kick about 30 yds out the Union defender hit a ball that deflected off the wall in front of the kick and wrong footed rookie goalkeeper Lampson.  Truely an unlucky goal for the Crew to give up.  They did strike back right before half, once again new arrival Frederico Higuain provided an assist with a beautiful cross into the box.  Josh Williams was basically unmarked and sent a powerful header into the low post for his first career goal, nothing for Philly's keeper to do but watch the ball go into the back of the net. 

 

After Halftime things got a little testy.  In the 70th minute Josh Williams ,who equalized earlier, started jawing with one of the Philly players which lead to him shoving him to the ground; completely away from the play and right in front of the line ref.  A dumb move that guaranteed a card, but as it wasn't malicious a Yellow seemed appropriate.  Well the head ref, after consulting with the line ref, gave him a straight red!!  Crew were going to be playing down a man for the rest of the match.  The Union took this opportunity to pour forward looking for the winner.  Off a corner the Union had the ball bouncing around the box and sent a great low shot in from just out of the 18 the Lampson was able to knock away, eventually into the path of a Union player who put the ball in the back of the net but the play was ruled offsides.  Close but the Crew held firm, especially Lampson.  The Crew really have some keeper depth. 

 

They probably would have been happy to leave with 1 point after going down a man, but opportunity presented itself a couple of times.  In the 90th minute Higuain made a beautiful run into empty space to collect the ball in front of goal, only to launch his shot skyward.  Then in the dying minutes of stoppage time Higuain, the goal producing machine, played Justin Meram into the box 1v1 on the keeper.  Meram's shot was blocked by the keeper, but blocked right to Eddie Gave who hit a clean one timer into goal. 

 

It was a fantastic finish to the game and pulled the Crew even on points with Montreal.  The game on Saturday is going to have so much on the line.  Whoever wins is in the driver seat for challenging for the last playoff spot.

 

Crew steal 3 points off Union with late Gaven goal

 

Down a man for the final 20 minutes of Wednesday’s Eastern Conference game at PPL Park, the Columbus Crew not only stopped the Philadelphia Union from scoring – they also got an improbable goal of their own.

 

 

Dang!  These last two games make you feel like downing a six-pack of Maalox during the match.  Eventually it all works out for the Crew - but getting there is rough isn't it?  Going down early then tying on Higuain's beautiful cross to Williams.  Then the Williams red card (which should've been yellow).  Then thinking Philly scored the go-ahead goal - only to have it negated on a proper offside call.  Then Higuain blows a game-winning shot in the 93rd minute.  But then Higuain's nifty flick-on header in the 94th minute to Meram with a blocked shot to a wide-open Gaven for the winner!

 

That was amazing play from Matt Lampson wasn't it?  Rookie keeper starting his first MLS game.  And he played brilliantly.  That one goal he allowed was just bad luck with the Philly free kick hitting the Crew wall and deflecting in.

 

The Crew are now right in the thick of the playoff race.  Only two points behind both the Chicago Fire and DC United (but one game-in-hand over DC) and tied with Montreal at 39 points.  Although tied with Montreal, the Columbus can virtually knock them out the playoff race with a win this Saturday at Crew Stadium - the Crew have three games-in-hand over them.  If Columbus can vault over Montreal, then Chicago and DC at 41 points and even third place Houston at 42 points come into the Crew's range.

Another game.  Another last minute win for the Crew.  This time on Saturday night against Montreal.  After going down 1-0 to a Montreal goal in the 73rd minute, the Crew tie it up 1-1 with some more Higuain magic in minute 80.  On a free-kick, Higuain lofts the ball into the box where Marshall heads it home.  Marshall was like a man on a mission to get that ball - so much so that he pushed teammate Meram into the ground to do so! (Meram was diagnosed with a broken nose after the game - who says soccer players ain't tough!)

 

Then after some great saves for Montreal and missed scoring chances for the Crew, Higuain did it again in stoppage time.  This time Higuain ran left of the box and lofted a short ball into the box that found the head of Renteria for a goal in the 93rd minute.  Crew win 2-1.  Great clutch play from both Higuain and Renteria, who came in as a second-half sub.

 

MLS: GAME HIGHLIGHTS - MONTREAL AT COLUMBUS - 09-01-12

 

Columbus is now above the playoff line in the East.  They were briefly tied for third place before Chicago won on Sunday.  Now the Crew are tied for fourth with Houston at 42 points, but the Crew still hold one game-in-hand.  Chicago is two points ahead and D.C. is lurking one point behind.  The East playoff race is up for grabs with two months remaining in the MLS regular season.  But Columbus is right in the middle of it now.

 

Wednesday September 5th, the Crew play at New England.  This will end their 7 games in 21 days stretch.  After Wednesday's game the Crew don't play until September 15 at New York.

In a battle of opposite streaks at New England, the Revs downed the Crew 2-0.  The Crew rode a 6-game unbeaten streak (4-0-2) versus the Revs 10-game winless streak going into Wednesday night's match.  The Crew were also playing their 7th game in 3 weeks.  And fatigue finally looked like it took its toll on the team.  The Revs dominated possession and scoring chances in the first half before scoring first in the 53rd minute.  Rev attacker Dimitry Imbongo (great name eh?) was a beast against a weary Crew defense all night.  He got the first goal by being quicker to a rebound and caused the second goal in the 74th minute with hustling play that forced a Chad Marshall own goal. 

 

With the exception of some good scoring chances very late in the game, the Crew just didn't seem to have it this night.  Marshall's own goal, Arrieta's 7 offside calls(!) and the 20 to 7 attempts-on-goal in the Revs favor highlight this.  Even Higuain seemed to not have his magic touch tonight.  The Crew's man-of-the-match was definately goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum.  Gruenebaum - returning in his second game since missing a game with back problems - almost single handedly kept the Crew close.  He ended up with 7 saves, but smothered even more Rev scoring chances.

 

MLS: GAME HIGHLIGHTS - COLUMBUS AT NEW ENGLAND - 09-05-12

 

Despite the loss, Columbus is still above the playoff line in the East - MLS Standings - and right in the middle of a six team race between KC, NY, Houston, Chicago, Columbus and DC for five playoff spots.  Should be a great race to finish.

 

The Crew are off until Saturday, Sept 15 at New York.  Then Wednesday, Sept 19 at home against Chivas - back on the road at Chicago on Saturday, Sept 22 - then back home Saturday, Sept 29 against Philadelphia to close out this month.  After that only three games remain in October before the MLS playoffs.

After their last game on Sept. 5, the Crew were in fourth place in a six team race for the five Eastern Conference playoff spots.  After a 3-1 loss at New York on Sept. 15, the Crew are now back in sixth place and looking like the odd team out.  What a difference one weekend can make in MLS!  But first the post-mortem of the NY loss.

 

The game started on a sour note when Crew standout Federico Higuaín was not in the starting lineup due to a foot injury.  It got better when Columbus scored in the 3rd minute on a nice Mirosevic finish from an Arrieta cross.  But then NY tied it in the 9th minute on an over-the-top pass to Red Bulls standout Thierry Henry.

 

The Crew looked like they might hold on for a road draw until hit with a double whammy on one play in the 79th minute.  NY scored their second goal on a header from a corner kick.  While trying to make the save, Crew keeper Andy Gruenebaum strikes his forehead on the goalpost.  After a lengthy delay to receive on-field treatment for a cut over his eye, a woozy-looking Gruenebaum leaves the game and is replaced with rookie keeper Lampson.

 

In stoppage time (93rd minute) the wily veteran Thierry Henry teaches the rookie keeper a lesson while scoring the Red Bulls last goal.  Henry bends a corner kick directly into the Crew goal - once again proving why he is a legendary player.  NY WINS 3-1

 

MLS: GAME HIGHLIGHTS - COLUMBUS AT NEW YORK - 09-15-12

 

As was said earlier, the loss - MLS Standings - combined with a DC win dropped Columbus into sixth place, just below the playoff line in the East.  This makes Wednesday's match at home against Chivas a "must-win".  Higuain, who didn't start the NY game, but did enter as a sub in the 89th minute, is said to be a probable starter for this Wednesday's game.  Gruenebaum is also said to be a probable starter.

 

Fortunately with 6 games left, 3 of the games are against opponents ahead of them which mean the crew have some control over their destiny.The other 3 games are against the 2 bottom teams in the east and the bottom team in the west.Which hopefully the crew should win although nothing can be taken for granted.

Fortunately with 6 games left, 3 of the games are against opponents ahead of them which mean the crew have some control over their destiny.The other 3 games are against the 2 bottom teams in the east and the bottom team in the west.Which hopefully the crew should win although nothing can be taken for granted.

 

Right now there is a definite divide in the Eastern Conference.  NY and KC are the real class and Houston (who may have the easiest run in of the top 6 teams, they should go 5-0)is right there with them, despite Chicago's recent form I don't think they can keep it up.  Those Three should make it into the playoffs easily.  The next three, Chicago, DC, and C-bus all have a real shot but I think it is going to be DC and the Crew who make it.  All of this though depends on the Crew winning their cupcake games (Chivas, Philly, and Toronto) and beating Chicago on Saturday.  If they lose on Saturday you can almost throw away any hope of making the playoffs. 

 

There is actually a little round robin between Columbus, Chicago, and DC.  Columbus v. Chicago is Saturday, Columbus v. DC is Oct. 20th, Chicago v. DC is Oct. 27 the penultimate weekend and could be a play in game before the playoffs. 

Fortunately with 6 games left, 3 of the games are against opponents ahead of them which mean the crew have some control over their destiny.The other 3 games are against the 2 bottom teams in the east and the bottom team in the west.Which hopefully the crew should win although nothing can be taken for granted.

 

Right now there is a definite divide in the Eastern Conference.  NY and KC are the real class and Houston (who may have the easiest run in of the top 6 teams, they should go 5-0)is right there with them, despite Chicago's recent form I don't think they can keep it up.  Those Three should make it into the playoffs easily.  The next three, Chicago, DC, and C-bus all have a real shot but I think it is going to be DC and the Crew who make it.  All of this though depends on the Crew winning their cupcake games (Chivas, Philly, and Toronto) and beating Chicago on Saturday.  If they lose on Saturday you can almost throw away any hope of making the playoffs. 

 

There is actually a little round robin between Columbus, Chicago, and DC.  Columbus v. Chicago is Saturday, Columbus v. DC is Oct. 20th, Chicago v. DC is Oct. 27 the penultimate weekend and could be a play in game before the playoffs. 

Yeah you're exactly right. Things could potentially work even if the crew lost at chicago although it would take chicago getting upset by some teams and the crew winning their games which I don't feel comfortable with at all. I actually think the crew can get a point against KC at home on October 7.  KC doesn't scare me nearly as much as NY does for whatever reason. If you're a crew fan you also need to become a really big philadelphia union fan as well considering they still play every team that is ahead of the crew. The key really is the health of higuain as well as consistent defensive play. If you watched the most recent games, the d will play well for stretches and then completely disappear or make horrible mistakes like failing to clear the ball or losing track of thierry henry. I hate to say it but chad marshall has not looked good at all in stretches recently and julius james seems to be more concerned with jawing with the opposition then playing any meaningful defense.I really wish carlos mendes would get healthy.

 

The Cardiac Crew come through again.  During most of last night's "must-win" home game against Chivas, it looked like the Crew were going to fall short.  Most of the first half saw the Crew on the defense, with Chivas getting more possession and better shots on goal.  Kudos go to Gruenebaum, returning to the lineup after his bout with the goalpost in NYC.  HALFTIME 0-0

 

In the second half, the Crew looked better offensively, gaining more possession and better scoring chances.  But still - after 88 minutes - no goals for either side.  In a game the Crew needed to win, not tie. 

 

But then.  In the 89th minute.  The Crew regained possession near the Chivas goal.  Tchani passes to Higuain wide left of goal.  Higuain blasts a crossing pass into the box.  The pass finds a sliding Arrieta who redirects it to goal.  Where it is spectacularly saved by the Chivas goalkeeper.  The ball deflects to an open Justin Meram.  Who blasts it home.  GOOOOOOAAALLLL!!!!!!  Shirt-off Meram celebration!!!!  Yellow-card to Meram.  But who cares?  CREW WIN 1-0

 

MLS VIDEO: GAME WINNING GOAL - CHIVAS AT COLUMBUS - 09-19-12

 

Yesterday's win broke the Crew's two game losing streak.  Columbus (13-10-6, 45 pts) moved into the final playoff spot (5th place) in the East - one point behind 4th place Houston and one point ahead of D.C.  Columbus plays at Chicago on Saturday.  Current MLS Standings

Website posting from the Columbus Crew about the County Coroner's followup report about the August 5th death of Crew midfielder Kirk Urso.  It appears that Kirk Urso's death at age 22 was from an undiagnosed genetic defect of the heart. 

 

Here is the pertinent paragraph from the posting: “After a complete autopsy and further testing, we determined that Kirk Urso died of a natural disease known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, which is a genetic defect of the heart,” said Franklin County Coroner Dr. Jan Gorniak.  “Additional microscopic examinations beneath the heart tissue revealed this cause of death, and at this time we can conclude that Kirk’s death was completely natural.” 

 

The full posting is linked below.

 

THE CREW: Franklin County Coroner's Office releases details surrounding Kirk Urso's death

Last night's Crew game at Chicago may not have been a "must-win" but it might have been a "must-tie".  And it started out with things going the Crew's way.

 

In the 15th minute, the Chicago Fire goalkeeper committed a "howler" when he let Arrieta intercept a pass to his defender.  Arrieta then dribbled past the keeper and a defender to score a Crew goal.  But the lead didn't last long.  Fire forward Chris Rolfe scored twice in three minutes.  Rolfe's first was in minute 23, the second in the 26th minute. 

 

The Crew held more possession in the second half and had good scoring chances on sliding attempt by Mirosevic in the 56th minute, and then in the 79th minute on a close-in shot by Williams.  But equalizer didn't come so 2-1 in Chicago's favor was the way it stayed.

 

MLS GAME HIGHLIGHTS: COLUMBUS AT CHICAGO - 09-22-12

 

The loss keeps Columbus (13-11-6) one point behind Houston for the fifth and final playoff spot in the East.  Columbus hosts Philadelphia next Saturday at Crew Stadium in what definately will be a "must-win" game.  Current MLS Standings

Columbus hosted Philadelphia in another "must-win" game Saturday night at Crew Stadium.  Arrieta started the scoring in the 44th minute - taking a beautiful pass from Miranda off his chest and shooting a quick-strike past the Philly goalkeeper.  Then, at the very end of first half stoppage time (50th minute), Arrieta stuck again - taking a long goal kick from Gruenebaum into the box that Arrieta deftly dribbled left and then shot right between a defender and keeper for his second goal. CREW 2-0 HALFTIME

 

It looked like the Crew might cruise to an easy win.  But that just wouldn't be Crew soccer would it?  In the 64th minute, a Philly attacker got past the Crew defense and into the 18-yard box.  Gruenebaum took down the Philly attacker in the box, which lead to a penalty kick and PK goal for Philly. CREW LEAD 2-1

 

Then it looked like the might ease into a close win.  But that just wouldn'e be Crew soccer would it?  In the 86th minute, Philadelphia scored on a pass into the 6-yard box that was deflected around Gruenebaum for a tying goal. GAME TIED 2-2

 

But it also wouldn't be Crew soccer if it end there would it?  Only one minute later the Crew got the game-winning goal.  At the edge of Philly's 18-yard box, Higuain and Mirosevic ping-ponged the ball, got it intercepted by the defense and then a Josh Williams diving tackle deflected the ball to an open Mirosevic, who scored the decisive goal.  CREW WIN 3-2

 

MLS GAME HIGHLIGHTS: PHILADELPHIA AT COLUMBUS - 09-29-12

 

This is the fifth straight win for Columbus that came off a goal scored in the 86th minute or later.  However, this goal was not without controversy.  Although ruled onside for this game-winning goal - Mirosevic appeared to be offside in the reply.  Good break for the Crew and their playoff hopes.  The Crew entered the weekend one point behind Houston for the fifth and final playoff spot in the East.  The win kept Columbus (14-11-6) in exactly the same spot exiting the weekend since Houston also won.  Current MLS Standings

 

Only three regular season games remaining for the Crew.  Next Sunday, Columbus hosts East leading Sporting KC.  Then they finish at 4th place DC on October 20 and at home against last place Toronto on October 28.

The Crew had a golden opportunity going into last Sunday's game against first place KC.  Montreal tied 5th place Houston on Saturday.  A win over KC would put the Crew one point ahead of Houston and above the playoff line in the East.

 

But it was not to be.  KC took an early 1-0 lead on a goal in the 10th minute.  The Crew did manage a late goal in the 91st minute to salvage a 1-1 draw.

 

MLS GAME HIGHLIGHTS: KANSAS CITY AT COLUMBUS - 10-07-12

 

The draw kept Columbus (14-11-7) in exactly the same spot exiting last weekend. - Current MLS Standings - Only now with one less game remaining.  After an MLS break for international play, Columbus finishes at 3rd place DC on October 20 and at home against last place Toronto on October 28.

The Crew's 2012 playoff run came to end during the course of two games last Saturday.  The 6th place Crew were playing at DC & 5th place Houston was hosting Philadelphia at the same time.

 

It started out quite promising in the beginning.  The Crew got an early lead on a Gaven goal in the 7th minute.  DC equalized 1-1 and then Arrieta gave the Crew a 2-1 lead going into halftime.  Meanwhile, the Houston-Philadelphia game was tied 1-1 a halftime.  If those results held, the Crew would pass Houston in the standings and go into 5th place.

 

But the second halves of both games went against the Crew's playoff hopes.  DC scored two goals in the second half to win 3-2.  Houston scored two goals in their second half to win 3-1.  The results meant that Houston clinched the fifth and final playoff spot in the East and Columbus was eliminated.

The Crew made a number of contract moves yesterday.  Including seven veteran players whose contract options for 2013 were declined.  Some were declined because of injury: Hesmer, Heinemann & James.  Some were declined just to release players from the roster: Balchan & Birchall.  And some were declined with the hopes of resigning a player at a lower rate for next year: Miranda & Tchani.

 

Much more about these moves from an article-stream at the Massive Report website (linked below):

 

Crew Make Moves; Decline Options on Seven

 

Also at Massive Report's host, SB Nation, was a report about Federico Higuain, who played 13 games for the Crew after joining the team in August, being named the 2012 MLS Newcomer of the Year:

 

Federico Higuain wins 2012 Newcomer of the Year

 

Does anyone possibly know of any soccer friendly bars in the Toledo area?  I'm a Crew fan, but living in Toledo, I only make it out to a few games, tops, a year. I usually go to Claddagh at the Franklin Park mall but I'm usually the only one there watching soccer. Curious if anyone knows of any places whete i might not be the only soccer fan. 

^I can't answer your question.  But you might check with the Crew Supporters Union through their website at http://crewunion.com/ or their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CrewUnion

 

According to the Crew website: "Though the group is based in Columbus, the Crew Supporters Union has a large membership outside of the Central Ohio metropolitan area with local chapters that regularly carpool to matches from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Louisville."

The Crew need to make some good acquisitions this offseason. Homegrowns like Trapp will be great for our future, but we also need to be making offers to lots of internationals, as well as trade offers for estpablished MLS guys. I always get this feeling that they don't take talent acquisition as seriously as other teams. Another DP would be great but I won't hold my breath. I just hope Higuain and Arrieta dont lose their magic this preseason. I don't have faith in Warzycha, but i believe in Higuain!

^I can't answer your question.  But you might check with the Crew Supporters Union through their website at http://crewunion.com/ or their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CrewUnion

 

According to the Crew website: "Though the group is based in Columbus, the Crew Supporters Union has a large membership outside of the Central Ohio metropolitan area with local chapters that regularly carpool to matches from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Louisville."

 

 

Good idea. I didn't even think about looking into local chapters of the supporters groups.

I won't try to re-create the four months of Crew game recaps and news that UO's server apparently destroyed.  Instead, I will invite you to http://www.mlssoccer.com/ and http://www.massivereport.com/ for full recaps and news if you are so inclined. 

 

Here is the brief rundown of the Crew's 2013 season so far:  A promising early start dissolved into a mid-season slump.  Defensive miscues, lack of finishing and season-ending injuries to Eddie Gaven and Glauber all contributed to the Crew's slide below the playoff line in the East.  A 1-0 win last Sunday against Portland kept the Crew from falling completely out of the playoff race. 

 

As it stands now, the Crew are currently 7th in the East with a 6-8-5 record.  Two points ahead of Chicago in 8th and one point behind New England in 6th.  However, both Chicago and New England hold 2 games-in-hand over the Crew - and Columbus is idle from MLS play this weekend - so the Crew are vulnerable to sliding back in the standings.  The Crew's next MLS game is hosting New England on July 20th.

 

After sitting out one week of MLS play, the Crew had a golden opportunity to advance in playoff position on Saturday.  A win over visiting New England would vault the Crew over the Revs into 6th place in the Eastern Conference.  Instead, two second half stoppage goals by the Revs in the 91st and 94th minute lead to a 2-0 loss.  This game was much like many of the Crew's recent games - many scoring chances, few shots on goal, poor finishing touches.

 

Saturday's loss combined with a Chicago win dropped the Crew into 8th in the East.  With only 14 games remaining, every game is now a virtual "must win" if the Crew hope to make the playoffs.

 

MLS GAME RECAP: NEW ENGLAND AT COLUMBUS - 07-20-13

 

The Crew's frustrating 2013 season may have reached its climax on a soggy Saturday afternoon in Toronto.  Desperately needing a win, the Crew got off to a 1-0 lead with a Dominic Oduro goal in the 17th minute.  Only to see Toronto score two late-game goals in the 87th and 94th minute, to lose 2-1.

 

MLS GAME RECAP: COLUMBUS AT TORONTO - 07-27-13

 

Big announcement from the Columbus Crew today.  The team has new ownership.  The Hunt Sports Group sold 100% of their ownership to Precourt Sports Ventures.  Below is the official announcement from the team:

 

Crew Website: Precourt Sports Ventures acquires Columbus Crew

 

Mixed feelings about this announcement.  Lamar Hunt and the Hunt Family have been nothing but good for Columbus and the Crew.  And having one of the founding members of MLS as your team owner was always a point of pride for the Crew.  But with the Hunt Family based in Texas and also owning FC Dallas, it felt like the Crew wasn't getting their full attention lately.

 

Having a new ownership group with the Crew as the sole MLS focus could breathe some new life into the franchise.  However, the new ownership group is not local.  Precourt Sports Ventures is based in northern California.  And although their CEO Anthony Precourt assured those gathered at today's press conference, including Mayor Coleman, that the team was staying in Columbus - that does give fans some pause.  But that said, MLS seems committed to the Crew staying in Columbus.  So for now, I'm cautiously optimistic about this news.

More about the sale of the Columbus Crew.  The sale price for the Crew team and Crew Stadium was not disclosed.  But Forbes magazine is reporting a $68 million purchase price for the team and stadium.  The Crew owns the stadium but does not own the land underneath it.  That land is owned by the Ohio Expo Center (i.e. the State Fairgrounds / State of Ohio) and the Crew has a 25-year lease that began around 1998 to operate there.

 

More about this from Business First at http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2013/08/report-pegging-columbus-crew-sale-at.html and from the Columbus Dispatch below:

 

Report: Team, stadium sale set record $68M deal

By Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Thursday, August 1, 2013 - 11:43 AM

 

Neither buyer nor seller would disclose the sale price of the Crew and Crew Stadium, but Forbes is reporting a record-breaking deal between Hunt Sports Group and Precourt Sports Ventures.  According to Forbes, Precourt and managing partner Anthony Precourt acquired the properties for $68 million — the highest fee paid for an existing Major League Soccer franchise.  Representatives for both parties declined to comment on the figure, at Precourt’s request.

 

Last summer, D.C. United reportedly was sold for $50 million, and the city and the franchise recently announced a $300 million plan to build a stadium.  Earlier this season, MLS announced that the rights to its 20th franchise, New York City FC, had been sold for $100 million, a $60 million increase on the expansion fee from Montreal, which began play in 2012.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2013/08/01/crew-soccer-franchise-enters-new-era.html

Back to on-the-field action for the Crew. 

 

In a season where not much has gone right, the game in Houston wasn't any different.  Houston scored two goals in the first half en route to a 3-1 win - handing the Crew their third straight loss.  This loss pretty much ends any realistic playoff hopes for the Crew.  Now its a countdown to mathematical elimination.

Riding a three-game losing streak and having dropped 6 of their last 7 games - the Crew badly needed a win.  Fortunately, they got one last night at a well-attended Crew Stadium.  Federico Higuaín provided both goals in the 2-0 over the visiting New York Red Bulls.  The first off a converted PK in the 62nd minute.  The second in more dazzling fashion - set up by a smart pass from Will Trapp - in the 76th minute.

 

The win won't move the Crew into the playoff race (5th-place Houston is still 7 points ahead).  But at least the games stay relevant and postpone mathematical elimination.  The Crew host Toronto next Saturday in a battle for the Trillium Cup.

The Crew looked dominant and Toronto (who had been playing better) looked anything but during last night's 2-0 Columbus win in Crew Stadium.  Federico Higuain continued his hot streak of scoring by netting both Crew goals.  The first came in the 19th minute when Chad Barson drove the ball into edge of the 6-yard box.  Bernardo Anor got it and shot point-blank at Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik.  Bendik made the save, but it deflected to an on-rushing Higuain, who blasted it home.

 

Higuain's second goal was a highlight shot that matched his highlight shot from the previous game.  In the 67th minute, the Crew had a counterattack.  Higuain found himself with the ball and unmarked 22 yards in front of Toronto's goal.  With the Toronto goalkeeper a few steps off his goal-line, Higuain drove a deft chip shot that was inches over the goalie's hand and inches under the crossbar for a goal.

 

MLS GAME RECAP: TORONTO AT COLUMBUS - 08-17-13

 

The win gives the Crew something they haven't had all season - a winning streak.  This was the first back-to-back wins of the year.  Which is why - despite the last two wins - the Crew still remain 8th in the East and seven points behind 5th-place Houston.  Columbus travels to RSL next Saturday before returning for two consecutive home games against Seattle and Houston.

The Crew website has a nifty goalcam video of Federico Higuain's two goals scored against Toronto FC.  The second goal is especially good:

 

http://www.thecrew.com/video/2013/08/17/goalcam-pipa-part-deux

The Crew's playoff chances (such as they were) took a big hit during a 4-0 loss on Saturday at Real Salt Lake.  It wasn't even the 4-0 loss that was the big hit.  Rio Tinto has always been a house of horrors, so a road draw was probably the best that could be hoped for.  The big hit was a conduct of Crew star player Federico Higuain.

 

Higuain got a yellow card in the first half - which suspended him for the next game because of yellow card accumulation.  Then, in second half stoppage time of a 4-0 loss, Higuain got another yellow card.  Two yellows equal a red card ejection.  Which means a suspension for a second game. 

 

Someone who posted at http://www.massivereport.com/2013/8/25/4655980/columbus-crew-drop-4-0-decision-to-real-salt-lake described the two yellow cards this way: "I was at the stadium for this game, seated near midfield.  Higuain’s first yellow was well-earned.  He ran right at Morales with no intent to play the ball, he didn’t even look at where the ball was going, just plowed his shoulders into Morales.  The second yellow was off-camera, away from the action.  He decked Borchers in a move that could’ve been a straight red.  It’s surprising how Pipa just lost his cool and then went after the assistant referee."  Here's the recap and video highlights from MLS: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/08/25/columbus-crew-lose-momentum-federico-higuain-loses-his-head-nightmare-rio-ti

 

Columbus is still 7 points behind fifth-place Houston (who was having their own nightmare game losing 5-0 at Montreal).  But the next two home games, coming up next Saturday against Seattle and the following Wednesday against Houston, will be without Higuain.

The 1-0 loss to Seattle on Saturday edged the Crew closer to mathematical elimination.  After the Crew dropped the match on Saturday, they dropped their coach on Monday. (More on that below)

 

After an hour-and-a-half lightning delay, the Crew came out with energy.  That energy led to a Seattle red-card in the 7th minute for a foul that prevented a clear Crew scoring chance.  But despite being down one-man, it was Seattle that got the first goal in the 14th minute.  After that, Seattle hunkered down and withstood the Crew offense.  The Higuain-less Crew generated plently of shots (24).  But only 2 of those were on goal.  A lack of finishing that has haunted the Crew all year.

 

In the Eastern Conference playoff race, the best the Crew can do now is play the spoiler.  They face off against the 5th place Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night at Crew Stadium.

On the Monday following the loss to Seattle, the Crew fired head coach Robert Warzycha.  Technical Director Brian Bliss takes over as interim head coach.  Not a surprise, considering the Crew's 8-13-5 record and that the Crew had lost 8 of their last 11 games.  Warzycha was also in the last year of his current contract.

 

Although the move is not surprising, its still kind of sad when the end comes.  But especially so for someone with such deep Columbus Crew ties as Robert Warzycha.  Massive Report unearthed this startling stat:  Of the Crew's 644 games played since the franchise's birth in 1996, Wednesday's game will be only the 12th game without Robert Warzycha involved with the Crew as a player or coach. 

 

More from Massive Report about this at http://www.massivereport.com/2013/9/2/4685730/crew-fire-robert-warzycha and http://www.massivereport.com/2013/9/2/4688358/robert-warzycha-true-black-and-gold

 

The Brian Bliss era for the Crew started well last night with a 2-0 win over Houston at Crew Stadium.  It almost began disasterously in the first minute when Will Bruin had a wide open breakaway after defender Eric Gehrig fell down tracking a long pass to Bruin.  Bruin beat on-rushing goalkeeper Matt Lampson and tapped the ball to an empty net - only to have defender Chad Barson make a desperate sliding save at the goal line.

 

The Crew took control in the second half in the 47th minute when Justin Meram's crossing pass found Ryan Finley for his first-ever MLS goal.  Meram clinched the win in the 74th minute with a nice move in the box and a sweet finish to get his first goal of the season.  The Crew are still outside of the Eastern Conference playoff race at five points below the playoff line.  But they dealt Houston a blow and at least stay alive for now.  The Crew travels to KC on Saturday.

Well, so much for the Brian Bliss era:  KC 3 - CREW 0

Montreal is the top team in the East and the Crew is sitting in 8th place.  But for whatever reason, the Crew have had their way with them.  After a frigid April tie in Montreal, the Crew won 2-0 in Columbus.  Today's game saw Montreal score first but then the Crew got two goals in the second half from Marshall and Oduro to win 2-1.

Pretty nice home win Saturday against Chicago.  Oduro started the scoring in the 15th minute.  Arrieta assisted on that goal and had a particular great game.  He drew a red card from a Fire defender in the 29th minute to put the Crew up one man.  Then, he drew a PK in the 70th minute which was converted by Higuain.  The Crew finished the 3-0 win with an Anor goal from a Tchani pass in the 77th minute.

 

The Crew are amazingly still in the Eastern Conference playoff race with only four regular season games remaining.  Columbus is 2 points behind New England in fifth place and 1 point behind Chicago and Philadelphia.  Although because all those teams have one game-in-hand over the Crew, a playoff spot is still a long shot.  The Crew travel to Dallas next Saturday.

 

 

The Crew are making a late season playoff run.  Their 4-2 win at Dallas last night vaults them into 6th place and only one point behind the 5th place playoff spot in the East.

 

Columbus took an early two goal lead with a Higuain goal in 9th minute and an Arrieta goal in the 18th.  Dallas halved the lead with 21st minute goal until the Crew got their third goal just before halftime on a blazing run and shot from Oduro.  Dallas tighten it to 3-2 on a goal in the 54th minute.  But the Crew held the lead thru the second half until they got their fourth goal of the night in the 86th minute from an Anor shot off an Higuain pass.

 

The road win vaulted Columbus ahead of Chicago and New England in the standings.  They are one point behind Philadelphia, who had their own road win at KC on Friday.  The big problem is that all those teams hold one game-in-hand over the Crew.  Only three games remain in the Crew's regular season: KC at Crew Stadium on Saturday - then a home and away series with New England.

 

Current MLS Standings: http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings

KC is one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and they sure have the Crew's number.  Last night's 1-0 over Columbus in Crew Stadium effectively ended the Crew's last season playoff hopes.  KC scored the lone goal in the 17th minute.  For the Crew, the most influential part of the first half was Higuain appearing to injury his hip in the first five minutes.  Though he stayed in the game for the full 90 minutes, he looked far less than 100%.  He struggled around the field, holding his hip, and was reduced to spot-kick duty. 

 

Although not mathematically eliminated, the Crew fell to 8th place with the loss - 4 points behind 5th place Philadelphia.  All the teams ahead of the Crew in the standings hold a game-in-hand.  With the Crew on a bye next weekend, if enough teams ahead in the standings win, the Crew might be mathematically eliminated before their next game.

The Crew were able the survive their bye week and avoid being mathematically eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoff race.  But their slim playoff chances are getting slimmer and slimmer.  The Crew finish the season with an away & home pair of games with New England.  Here are East standings going into those games:

 

4th Place - 46 pts - MONTREAL - 13-11-7

5th Place - 46 pts - CHICAGO - 13-12-7

---------  Playoff Line  ------------------------------

6th Place - 46 pts - PHILADELPHIA - 12-10-10

7th Place - 45 pts - NEW ENGLAND - 12-11-9

8th Place - 41 pts - COLUMBUS - 12-15-5

 

Columbus can vault over New England if they win both remaining games against them.  The big problem is that if any of those 46 pt teams win one of their remaining two games (3 in Montreal's case), then it will be mathematically impossible to catch them.  Even two ties would also mathematically eliminate the Crew.  So the Crew need to win out, and hope for an improbable series of events.

The Crew were eliminated from the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 3-2 loss at New England.  The game may have been disappointing for the Crew, but they went down kicking.  A lackluster first 45 saw the Crew down 1-0 at halftime.  With Higuain out due to injury, the Crew needed to get its scoring elsewhere.  In the 59th minute Dominic Oduro got free and blasted a shot past the NE goalkeeper to tie it 1-1.  But the final score would be determined during a 3-goals-in-7-minute-flurry, starting 10 minutes later.

 

In the 69th minute, NE regained the lead on a penalty kick.  Only two minutes later, 2nd half sub Aaron Schoenfeld had a beautiful possess-and-turn shot to retie it 2-2.  But the game winning goal came for the Revolution in minute 76 to give them the win.  Here is the link to the MLS Highlights: http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-10-19-NE-v-CLB/recap

 

The win moved New England into 5th place and gives them the final Eastern playoff spot going into the regular season final game at Crew Stadium on Sunday.  The Crew may be out of the playoff race, but they can still determine if New England makes the playoffs in next Sunday's home finale.

After being eliminated from the playoffs in the next-to-last game of the 2013 season last week (or the penultimate game for you literary types) - New England beat the Crew 1-0 in the season finale at Crew Stadium.  The Crew actually played pretty well in a game that meant nothing standings-wise for them but meant everything for the Revs.  The Revs win puts them into the Eastern Conference playoffs at third place, allowing them to avoid a knockout round.

 

But for the second straight season, there will be no MLS playoffs for Columbus.  This after four consecutive playoff appearance beginning in 2008, when Columbus won the MLS Cup.  A decent spring start got short-circuited by injuries to key players like Gaven and Glauber.  That and consistently inconsistent play led to a summer slump that dropped them out of the playoff race.  Followed by a fall rebound that gave the Crew a late season run at the playoffs, before a three-game losing streak to end the year at 12-17-5.

 

The Crew probably made more news off the pitch.  They got a new owner in July after the family of founding owner Lamar Hunt sold the team to Anthony Precourt of Precourt Sports Ventures.  They got a new head coach in September when Robert Warzycha was fired and Technical Director Brian Bliss took over as interim head coach. 

 

And who could forget the Crew Stadium scoreboard catching fire!  Well, actually, we here at UO could - because of the July 2013 server crash that obliterated the posts in this thread that talked about it.  So here's the Dispatch article about it: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2013/04/27/0427-crew-stadium-scoreboard.html - and here's a photo of the scoreboard on fire:

 

 

In some ways, an apt metaphor for the Crew's 2013 season.  However, despite the disappointing on-field results, the Crew did impress in one area: attendance.  The average home attendance this season was 16,080.  A strong increase from 14,346 last year.  Although the increase can be attributed to two factors: (1) some amazingly accommodating weather and (2) increased season ticket sales that were linked into the ability to obtain U.S. vs. Mexico tickets at Crew Stadium.

So, now that the 2013 season is over, the post-mortem begins.  The biggest decision to be made is who the next head coach will be.  Interim head coach and current technical director Brian Bliss is one of multiple candidates being considered - including former Crew legend and current head coach in the Argentina pro league Guillermo Barros Schelotto.  More about this at http://www.massivereport.com/2013/10/18/4854384/guillermo-barros-schelotto-interviewed-for-crew-coaching-job

 

The next big decisions involve choices to be made about many current Crew players.  Andy Gruenebaum started last Sunday in what might be his last game with the Crew.  The 30-year-old goalkeeper went down with a reoccurring shoulder injury in August and was supplanted by his backup Matt Lampson, who played quite well.  So it looks like Lampson will replace Gruenebaum, just as Gruenebaum replaced long-time starter Will Hesmer.

 

Other veteran players that might not return are Danny O'Rourke, Tony Tchani and Justin Meram.  Highly-paid defensive midfielder Matias Sanchez will definately not return (a decision announced yesterday).  He was signed with much fanfare but only had 14 appearances (with 10 starts) in this season's 34 MLS games. 

 

Some veteran players that the Crew would like to return - but might not - are Dominic Oduro and Josh Williams.  Oduro had a breakout season after the Crew acquired him via trade from Chicago.  However, after leading the Crew with a career-high 13 goals, Oduro will be due for a big pay raise.  The Crew will try to re-sign him, but might be out-bid by another team. -- The same holds true for Josh Williams.  Williams is a versatile player who saw time at all four defensive positions this year.  He is also due for a hefty pay raise and the Crew might get out-bid by another team.

 

On the Designated Player side of the roster, Frederico Higuain is under team options until 2016 and will definately return.  Jairo Arrieta is also under team options for future years and will also likely return despite this year's sophomore slump.

 

Well, that's my opinion.  For a much more detailed examination of the Crew's possible roster moves, go to the excellent Crew website - Massive Report - at http://www.massivereport.com/2013/10/29/5044028/in-out-or-somewhere-between

One of the players not mentioned in the above 2013 post-mortem was midfielder Eddie Gaven.  It was assumed that "Steady Eddie" would return as one of the core Crew starters for next year.  Now it appears that he will not be playing next year for the Crew - or anywhere else apparently - because he has announced his retirement from professional soccer.  I would encourage you to visit the below link to the Massive Report website for more about Gaven's announcement.  Their report links to his official announcement on the Crew website and to previous interviews they had with him:

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2013/10/31/5052338/eddie-gaven-retires

 

This is a surprise, to say the least.  Eddie Gaven was one of youngest players drafted into MLS at age 16 and has 11 years in the league (the last 8 with the Crew).  But he is only 27 and has been playing at a high level.  He was one of those midfielder "glue" players whose role was not always reflected by goals or assists.  He was a key role player during the Crew's 2008 MLS Cup season.  And his role only kept growing with each passing season on the Crew roster.  His 2012 season was probably his more productive stat-wise and overall.  The 2013 season started similarly for him.  However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury 12 games into this season.

 

He was said to be rehabbing well from the injury and looking forward to next season.  So this retirement announcement comes out of the blue.  But he does mention in his announcement that his retirement is "for personal reasons" and that he has "been contemplating it for some time".  So maybe we'll know more about this later (or maybe not).  But best wishes to Eddie Gaven on whatever he does next.

 

In any event, the Crew will be losing a classy and key team player.  So next year's roster will be shaken up even further than originally thought and will have one more hole to fill.  Stay tuned.

Couple more pieces about the surprise retirement of Eddie Gaven:

 

Massive Report: Eddie Gaven leaves on his own terms

 

The Crew: Social Spotlight: #ThanksEddie - Twitter reacts to Gaven's retirement

An on-going updating thread from Massive Report on news about the next Crew head coach (link below).  There is one piece of big news already.  The biggest name, Crew legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto, didn't make the final round of the team's coaching search.

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2013/11/1/5055852/crew-casting-wide-net-in-coaching-search

 

The Crew's coaching search is over.  And the new head coach is . . . Gregg Berhalter.

 

Yeah, I've never heard of him before today either.  But the new Crew ownership must think highly of him because he's basically being handed the keys to the team.  Not only was he named as the new head coach - he was also named as the team's "Sporting Director".  This is a new position that combines the duties of the former Technical Director position and the General Manager position.

 

The team also announced that former Technical Director and interim head coach Brian Bliss will be leaving the team and that Mark McCullers was leaving his General Manager role to focus on the business side of the franchise.  More about the hire of Gregg Berhalter and this restructuring of the Columbus Crew management from Massive Report and the Crew website:

 

http://www.thecrew.com/news/2013/11/crew-names-gregg-berhalter-head-coach-and-sporting-director

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2013/11/6/5072854/gregg-berhalter-named-crew-head-coach-and-sporting-director

 

More thoughts on the Gregg Berhalter hire from the MLS website:

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/06/columbus-crew-name-former-usmnt-defender-gregg-berhalter-head-coach

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/06/columbus-crew-overhaul-begins-earnest-gregg-berhalter-arrives-clear-vision-d

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/06/jeff-bradley-gregg-berhalter-columbus-crew-hire-coach-whos-ticked-all-boxes-

The Big D reporters weigh in on the Gregg Berhalter hire and Crew management shake-up at the links below.  The Mike Arace commentary was especially interesting about the risk/return regarding this move:

 

Crew:  Gregg Berhalter named coach

 

Michael Arace commentary:  Anthony Precourt makes a bold, risky move for Crew

New Crew head coach (and "Sporting Director") Gregg Berhalter got introduced to the media this week.  More about it from the Massive Report website below.  Also below is MR's analysis of the Crew team budget, the MLS salary cap and what this means for any roster moves the new head coach/sporting director might want to make:

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2013/11/12/5098322/berhalters-vision-sets-the-course-for-the-crew

 

http://www.massivereport.com/2013/11/10/5087872/a-look-at-the-crew-budget