Preview Quick Hits: Columbus Crew
A look at how the Crew stack up as they enter the 2009 season
Columbus Crew Stadium (capacity: 20,145)
2008 record: 17-7-6, 57 points (Supporters' Shield; first in Eastern Conference)
GF: 50 (2nd in MLS)
GA: 36 (3rd in MLS)
Finish: MLS Cup Champions. Defeated Kansas City Wizards (3-1 on aggregate) in Conference Semifinal. Defeated Chicago Fire 2-1 in Conference Championship. Defeated New York Red Bulls 3-1 in MLS Cup Final.
Head coach: Robert Warzycha, first full season (7-6-3 as interim coach in 2005).
Key departures: Head coach Sigi Schmid (to Seattle); DF Ezra Hendrickson (retired); MF Brad Evans (to Seattle, expansion draft); MF Stefani Miglioranzi (to Los Angeles, trade).
Key additions: MF Stanley Nyazamba; assistant coach Ricardo Iribarren.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
William Hesmer: He's played 53 of the past 54 regular season and playoff games. He had 10 shutouts in 2008 and has not reached his prime.
DEFENDERS
Frankie Hejduk: The right back never slows down and is the emotional leader and the face of the team as its captain. He scored an insurance goal off a spectacular pass from Guillermo Barros Schelotto in the MLS Cup Final.
Chad Marshall: The MLS Defender of the Year proved his worth at both ends and scored the MLS Cup winner off a patented header. He had his right knee scoped in late January but it should not cause problems.
Danny O'Rourke: The Columbus native can walk proudly around town now. He had a rough transition from the midfield early in '08 but settled down in the middle with the help of Marshall.
Gino Padula: Underrated on the left side because injuries limited his visibility, the Crew lost only one of 18 matches he played.
MIDFIELDERS
Brian Carroll: An unheralded pickup before the 2008 season, Carroll was the glue that kept everything together. The defensive midfielder was invaluable and has his second MLS Cup (D.C, United, 2004) to show for it.
Eddie Gaven: He made strides as the season went on and proved to be good fit on the right side with his two-way effort.
Emmanuel Ekpo: Speedy with raw talent, Ekpo is better suited for the wings but might play in the middle until Adam Moffat returns from injury.
Robbie Rogers: After winning an MLS Cup, being named to the All-Star Game and the Best XI and playing in the Olympics, what's next for the fleet-of-foot flank player? Possibly Europe.
FORWARDS
Guillermo Barros Schelotto: Big-time players play best in big games. Schelotto followed his MVP season with an exquisite MLS Cup performance. He'll be 36 in May but his skills and desire are still there.
Alejandro Moreno: Whether it's making a run off Schelotto or coming back to help the midfielders, Moreno was the consummate professional while scoring a career-best nine goals to become an MLS Cup winner for the third time.
OUTLOOK
Other than Warzycha replacing Schmid, the core of the club remains the same. The Crew are determined to show last season was not a fluke.
GRADING THE SEASON
Anything less than another championship would be disappointing. The Crew want to also leave a mark in the CONCACAF Champions League but, as other teams have discovered, a deep bench is required. Fortunately, the Crew rate highly in that category.
NEWCOMER(S) WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT
There is very little room or playing time for fresh faces but midfielder Stanley Nyazamba comes via the Richmond Kickers and could be of help. Moffat missed most of last season after knee surgeries but had two goals in seven matches and provided bite in the midfield.
-- Craig Merz
