MLS 2009 Preview: Columbus Crew

By: Laurie | March 18th, 2009

We’re continuing our MLS previews today with a look at the MLS Cup holders, the Columbus Crew, brought to you by our Crew blogger Matt (who also covers Celtic. Some of us at The Offside wear many hats.) Be sure to stop by and see Matt at the Crew blog. (Although you might want to be a little quiet today. He’s Irish. Just sayin’.) And while you’re at it, be sure to stop over and say hi to the rest of us at our MLS page.

In the year of our lord, 2008, this particular MLS season was a dream for those who supported the Black and Gold. After the season before was ended by a loss to a Beckham-less Galaxy in Columbus Crew stadium, there was reason for concern in Columbus.

A controversial stage was being added to Columbus Crew stadium, reducing seats and putting the Supporters Groups together (which turned out to be a blessing in disguise, creating a super-group called the Nordecke, that has become one of the most notorious supporter’s sections in the MLS). The Crew faithful wondered out loud just what direction this team was heading in, and was the round mound of Schnitzel, Sigi Schmid, the right man for the job? Boy, were our questions answered.

The Gargantuan German showed that he not only had a clue, but in fact had a genius master plan in 2008. He finally had the pieces he needed for his game, and the Crew started its steamroll over the MLS — playing not only winning soccer, but some pretty attractive soccer as well. Starting from an opening day 2-0 victory over “rivals” Toronto, the Crew had very few hiccups on their way to a Supporters Shield. However, given the recent trend of Supporters Shield winners bottling it in the playoffs, the MLS Cup was far from a certainty. But the Crew continued where they left off in the season, disposed of Kansas City, Chicago, and New York in workmanlike fashion, and picked up their first MLS Cup in club history. After a double and a dream season for the Crew, 2008 is a tough act to follow for the 2009 edition.

Yet the Crew are still one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. Sigi Schmid left town for a fat paycheck, but there were no hard feelings. He took Brad Evans with him to Seattle in the expansion draft, but other than that the Crew have kept the same team that brought central Ohio to MLS Cup glory.

The key to this Crew squad is their depth. I struggle to think of a team other than Chicago that can match the depth of the Crew. Heck, new coach Robert Warzycha will have to decide what to do with Pat Noonan because of the depth the Crew have. PAT FREAKIN’ NOONAN! The depth the Crew have them competitive in the MLS, the US Open Cup, and the CONCACAF Champions League. The 2008 edition of the Columbus Crew is a tough act to follow, but the 2009 boys in black and gold have the pieces to match that dream season and perhaps even add some international competitions to the newly-more-crowded trophy room.

Nuts and Bolts:
The star: Quite obviously, the Crew go as far as Guillermo Barros Schelotto goes. The Boca Juniors legend was truly the MVP of the Crew and the league, doing everything for the Crew. He scored some goals and created numerous chances for his teammates. If Schelotto matches his performance from last year, then the Crew have a great shot of repeating as MLS Cup champions.

On the other wing, Robbie Rogers has quickly become one of the best wingers in MLS. The young Californian has made his presence known after rocket like goals, like against New York, great crossing, and wonderful play making ability. Rogers has the ability to be a star in this league, however if he matches his performance from last season then he might not get the chance, as surely he will be the object of a European team’s desire. Heck, I want him already for my own Glasgow Celtic.

DP or not, and how will this affect the team?
Quick, name the three best DP’s in MLS. Most lists would probably include Blanco, Beckham, and Schelotto. However, it might surprise you that the last name on that list, Guillermo Barros Schelotto is not actually a Designated Player. He was originally signed for less than the $400,000 threshold and while his recent contract extension is over than that, he was Landon Donovan-ed in terms of the DP spot. So the Crew still have a DP spot for use or trade, but I wouldn’t expect that spot to be used or used as a bargaining chip any time soon. Quite honestly, the Crew really don’t need a big name DP right now anyways.

The newcomers — who’s going to come in and make a difference?
There are no real new additions to the Crew’s roster this season. With the reduction of Developmental Player roster spots, the three draft picks chosen by the Crew will struggle to make the team, let alone feature. However, there are a few players that will likely play a larger role in the team this year. Brad Evans departure and lingering injuries to Adam Moffat and Pat Noonan mean that young Emmanuel Ekpo will likely see increased playing time in the middle of the pitch for the Crew. Ekpo played in 17 games and score 7 2 times for the Crew, but the young Nigerian will likely get even more games with the Crew competing in the CONCACAF Champions League, as well as the US Open Cup and regular MLS play.

Despite all the trouble trying to secure Pat Noonan (pictured) from Norway, the former Aalesunds FK man only featured in 11 games. The Crew are strong in the midfield, but you’d have to imagine that there is a spot for the always solid Noonan somewhere in there. If Noonan can avoid injury (he’s already suffered a herniated disk in his back MOVING THINGS IN HIS HOUSE!) then he will likely see more playing time this season.

Keep an eye on
The obvious answer is Guillermo Barros Schelotto, but the play of usually lone striker Alejandro Moreno is something to watch. Of course the little Venezuelan benefited from Schelotto’s play, but Ale also was a nightmare for opposing defenses. Moreno always seems to be winning balls against defenders twice his size, being in the right spot at the right time to find a rebound or deflection, and generally being a pest to the opposing defense. Moreno’s ability to score goals usually means that Schelloto is playing well, Robbie Rogers is playing well, and the rest of the team is doing well. Moreno is a performance is a pretty good barometer on the status of the Crew.

The key match up will easily be the three match ups with Chicago. The two sides tied in each of their regular season matchups last season, with the Crew finally getting the upper hand in the Eastern Conference Final over their rivals from Illinois. The two sides should be the top of the Eastern Conference again and these match ups will determine play off seeding and perhaps even the Supporters Shield winner.

We’ll win the league if…?

Seeing that the Crew are pretty much the same squad that won the Supporters Shield and the MLS Cup, the only thing that seems to be able to prevent the Crew from being in contention again is themselves. If the Crew can stay healthy, then certainly they would be one of the top favorites for some silverware. The injury bug is already starting to effect the Crew though, with promising young midfielder Adam Moffat and Pat Noonan likely to miss time early on. Moffat only played in a few matches last season before suffering a season ending knee injury and Noonan came in late, so they might not be necessities. If the Crew can come close to the performance put out last season, then they have a great shot at lifting the Cup again.

We’ll be in trouble if…?
If injuries pile up for the Crew, the depth that I’ve been flaunting will be tested. Young guys like Manny Ekpo and Andy Iro might have to play more significant roles if some of the older legs that exist on the Crew pick up some knocks. Last season, Danny O’Rourke started the season as a defensive liability but ended up as a solid defender. If O’Rourke has another slow start, it could be rough sailing for the Crew back line. Robbie Rogers was at times world class, but had a tendency to disappear from games as well. If Rogers pulls that disappearing act again, defenses might be able to lock in on Schelotto and stop the Crew’s play making ability.

Some things you may not know.
-Columbus Crew Stadium was the first Soccer Specific Stadium built in MLS.
-The creation of the infamous “Nordecke” supporters section in Crew Stadium was actually the result of the large performance stage that was built in Columbus Crew Stadium before last season. The three supporters groups that now make up the Nordecke, the Crew Supporters Union, Hudson Street Hooligans, and La Turbina Amarillo were in different areas of the stadium before the stage and were consolidated to the North Corner in the beginning of the season. Many people were unhappy with the stage being built, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted the seemingly perfect storm that the three groups combined would have created.
-Toronto FC has yet to beat the Crew.