2009 MLS Season Preview: Columbus Crew

The Recent Results

Columbus is the one team in the league that will probably have to fare worse this year. After all, they really couldn’t improve on last year’s performance. They won the Supporters Shield and the Cup and they were second in goals scored and third in goals against. They were brilliant, and they deserved their accolades.

The Man in Charge

Of course, Sigi is gone now and Robert Warzycha will be steering the ship, so things could go a little bumpy for the Crew at first. He is a Crew legend (as a player) and he did quite well during his brief interim spell a few years ago. I think he will do a fine job, but he will have to overcome a pretty tough schedule to repeat.

On the Offensive

GBS, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, is the best field general in the league, and unless he decides to skimp on his training, he will continue to dominate his MLS opponents. In addition, Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven are both excellent young players and they should blossom into stars this year with GBS dishing them the ball.

For the Defense

Chad Marshall is returning to Columbus, which is great for the Crew as he is one of the steadiest defenders in the league. Danny O’Rourke can play some nasty D too, and let’s not forget about Frankie “Jesus” Hejduk, who plays ten years younger than he actually is. With Hesmer in goal, the CMB D will be dominant once again.

Movie They Resemble

Well, I was tempted to go with The Terminator here as I think the Crew will “be back” and continue to dismantle their opponents in 2009. But, I am going with The Prestige instead, simply because I want to remind everyone of my theory about GBS’s twin brother. Seriously, how else can the man never tire?