The Columbus Crew

[EPJr]

Duncan Oughton retires to join front office as Assistant to the Technical Director


Crew icon Duncan Oughton today announced his retirement from professional soccer, following a stellar 10-year career in which he became the longest-serving player in club history. Simultaneously, the Crew announced that he will join the front office as assistant to the technical director, a newly created role in which he will be involved in a variety of functional areas, including community relations, alumni relations, digital content, fan relations and youth player development.

Over the course of his storied career in Black & Gold, Oughton was a part of all five major trophies won by the club and made history by becoming one of the first athletes in any sport to come back from an experimental surgical procedure in which his own cartilage was grown in a lab and reimplanted in his knee, while becoming one of the most beloved figures in club history.

http://www.thecrew.com/news/2011/02/...s-front-office

[EPJr]

Crew Complete Challenge Cup Field

Will join Fire, United in Charleston next spring


Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com

Monday, November 14, 2011

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew has committed to compete in the 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup. Columbus will join Major League Soccer’s D.C. United, Chicago Fire and USL PRO’s Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island from Feb. 25 – March 4, 2012. This is the ninth consecutive year that the Charleston Battery has hosted the Carolina Challenge Cup.

The Columbus Crew played and won the inaugural Carolina Challenge Cup tournament back in 2004, defeating USL’s Charleston Battery and Wilmington Hammerheads and tying with D.C. United. Columbus returned in 2005 but finished third behind the San Jose Earthquakes and D.C. United.

Columbus is one of the ten charter clubs in MLS, having competed in the league since its inception in 1996. The Crew has won five major trophies: The MLS Cup in 2008, the 2004, 2008 and 2009 Supporters’ Shields, and the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/579295.html

[EPJr]

Mendoza heads the list of roster casualties in Columbus

Crew decline option on DP forward; Jeff Cunningham released

COLUMBUS, Ohio – How many goals Andrés Mendoza scored weren’t as important as how he played and acted, and as a result, the Peruvian Designated Player is no longer with the Crew.

Mendoza, who finished near the top of MLS with 13 goals in 2011, as well as MLS all-time goal leader Jeff Cunningham were among those players who didn’t have their options picked up by the Crew on Tuesday.

The others are goalkeeper Alex Riggs and midfielders Kevin Burns, Santiago Prim, Dejan Rusmir and Ben Sippola. Prim and Rusmir were previously waived, while the club has made qualifying offers to out-of-contract midfielders Robbie Rogers and Emmanuel Ekpo.

However, the big name leaving Columbus is Mendoza — he who alienated fans, teammates and coaches with a regularly lackadaisical attitude and general indifference in his first full season after being signed in September 2010.


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...lties-columbus

[EPJr]

Crew ink Chilean playmaker Mirosevic to multi-year deal
Universidad Católica captain joins up, may replace Ekpo in midfield


The Columbus Crew have landed a new attacking midfielder for 2012 in the form of Chilean international Milovan Mirosevic.

The club announced on Wednesday that it had signed the 31-year-old to a multi-year deal, pending receipt of his P-1 work visa, bringing a veteran of the professional ranks in Chile to the Columbus midfield in attempts to rebound from an early exit from the 2011 postseason. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...ulti-year-deal

[EPJr]

Rogers' departure no surprise for forward-thinking Crew
Recent signings and Duka's progress allow Columbus to move on


COLUMBUS, Ohio – The breakup between the Crew and Robbie Rogers was seemingly in the works for months prior to the midfielder signing Wednesday with Leeds United of England’s second tier.

In early November, Rogers told neighbors in the Short North area of Columbus that he did not plan on being back with the Crew once his contract expired at the end of 2011.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-thinking-crew

[EPJr]

Crew proud to join join rich sporting tradition of Barbasol


COLUMBUS, Ohio – After going sponsorless for the 2011 season, the Columbus Crew hit the jersey sponsor trifecta on Wednesday.

Perio, Inc., based in the Columbus suburb of Dublin, will have its Barbasol shaving products name front and center on all Crew jerseys at every level beginning this year as a part of a five-year, multimillion-dollar contract.

The deal includes the Barbasol mark on the Crew’s training and game jerseys; retail and youth team shirts; TV, radio and print advertising along with the new field-level LED signage in Crew stadium. Barbasol will also market select cans of their products with the Crew logo in central Ohio

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...ition-barbasol

[EPJr]

Mirosevic set for Columbus debut in home opener


OBETZ, Ohio – It’s a measure of Milovan Mirosevic’s reason for coming to America that even on the topic of the unusually hot March weather in Columbus, he’s still focused on the Crew.

“It’s nice,” he told MLSsoccer.com this week, before quickly addressing the matter at hand. “We just need to win.”

In other words, spending time outside with his wife and child who recently arrived from his native Chile will be more enjoyable if the Crew can erase the memory of a season-opening loss in Colorado with a victory at home Saturday vs. Montreal.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...ut-home-opener

[EPJr]

A lot has changed since the Andy Gruenebaum and the Crew shutout the Montreal Impact in Columbus back on March 24, but the team will carry the confidence from that victory into this weekend's match in Montreal.

"We can't really take much (from March 24) It's a totally different team," the Crew 'keeper explained. "We have a little confidence. They're struggling, they're going to come out flying at home. They're a dangerous team. Our back is going to be against the wall a little bit."

"We've got to do the things we did well during that match," midfielder Eddie Gaven added. "We came out strong and had a very good start to that game. We played really good defense and didn't give up any goals, which is always big. It's going to be very important on the road to keep things tight in the back.

Hopefully we can build off some of the things we did well (on March 24) and do the same thing (in Montreal)."


http://www.thecrew.com/news/2012/07/...ontreal-impact

[EPJr]

Match Recap:
Crew vs. D.C. United
Birchall opens Crew account, fuels 1-0 win over DC



http://www.thecrew.com/news/2012/07/...w-vs-dc-united

[EPJr]

Columbus ink Argentine forward Federico Higuain as DP


The Columbus Crew have signed Argentine forward Federico Higuaín from Argentine Primera División side Club Atlético Colón, the club announced Friday.

Higuaín will be the third Designated Player in Crew history and the only one currently on the roster, and will be available for selection upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and work visa.

"On behalf of our club, we are extremely excited to bring another world-class player to Crew fans and to the Columbus market," Crew president and GM Mark McCullers said in a statement. "Federico is a talented, technical and speedy attacking player who will add another dimension to our offense."

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...well-schelotto

[EPJr]

Close Shave

Arrieta nets brace, Crew survive furious late surge to stun SKC

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – It didn’t take Jairo Arrieta long to make an impact with the Columbus Crew – and to extend Sporting Kansas City’s home woes.

Arrieta, who joined the Crew at midseason from Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa, scored twice in his debut to lead Columbus to a 2-1 victory on Saturday night at Livestrong Sporting Park.

Columbus (8-7-4) won their second straight and denied Sporting (11-7-4) a chance to retake the Eastern Conference lead from New York. Sporting haven’t won at home in four tries since beating Toronto FC 2-0 on June 16.


http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter...kc-v-clb/recap

[EPJr]

Kirk Urso


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...lder-kirk-urso

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...clouds-week-22

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...uncs-title-run

[EPJr]

Fitting Tribute
Keane, Arrieta trade goals as Crew put in robust showing vs. LA


COLUMBUS, Ohio – On an evening filled with sorrow from the onset, the Columbus Crew and the LA Galaxy battled to a 1-1 draw at Crew Stadium on Wednesday night in the Crew’s first match since the unexpected death of rookie midfielder Kirk Urso.

Jairo Arrieta gave the Crew the lead in the 47th minute with his third goal in five games with Columbus, but Robbie Keane equalized in the 64th. It was left to goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum to preserve the deadlock as he denied a wicked strike from LA’s Jose Villarreal in the second minute of stoppage time.

The Galaxy were without Landon Donovan, who was with the US men's national team for its friendly Wednesday at Mexico, as well as David Beckham. The Englishman was given the night off after returning from the closing ceremonies for the London Olympics on Sunday.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter...clb-v-la/recap

[EPJr]

Kirk Urso



WATCH:
Urso tribute video: http://www.thecrew.com/video/2012/08...urso-1990-2012

[EPJr]

Partners In Crime
Higuain, Gaven too hot to handle as Crew top Toronto


COLUMBUS, Ohio – Federico Higuaín continued to give Columbus a charge, this time in his home debut, as the Crew defeated Toronto FC 2-1 on Wednesday evening.

Higuaín, the Argentine attacker who tallied an assist off the bench in his first match with the Crew on Sunday at Houston, set up Eddie Gaven in the fourth minute and scored in the 58th for a 2-0 lead before Luis Silva netted for Toronto in the 71st.

The Crew (9-8-6, 33 points) ended a three-game winless streak while TFC (5-15-5, 20 points) fell to 0-4-1 in the past five games.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter...lb-v-tor/recap

[EPJr]

Recap:
Crew steal three points with late Gaven goal


CHESTER, Pa. – 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.

With Philly pushing everyone forward to break a deadlock, the Crew’s Eddie Gaven netted the game-winner in stoppage time to stun the PPL Park crowd and send visiting Columbus to a dramatic 2-1 victory.

Crew goalie Matt Lampson earned an impressive victory in his first career MLS start, as Philly held a man-advantage after Crew defender Josh Williams was shown a red card in the 69th minute.

But the Union couldn’t break through Lampson – who was starting in place of the injured Andy Gruenebaum – and the Columbus defense


http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter...hi-v-clb/recap

[EPJr]

Recap:
Crew leave it late again in 1-1 draw vs. Sporting


COLUMBUS, Ohio – Eddie Gaven’s goal in the first minute of stoppage time continued the Columbus Crew’s string of late-game heroics and helped rekindle their playoff hopes following a 1-1 tie with Sporting Kansas City at Crew Stadium on Sunday.

Their past five winning goals have all come in the 86th minute or later. While the Crew were unable to secure the three points this time, they stayed within striking range in the Eastern Conference.

Up until the final moments, it appeared the day would be all Sporting after C.J. Sapong scored in the 10th minute.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter...lb-v-skc/recap

[EPJr]

Recap:
Higuain powers Crew to soggy win over TFC


COLUMBUS – Federico Higuaín gave Columbus fans disappointed in its season something to look forward to next year as his two goals led the Crew to a 2-1 win over Toronto FC in the season finales for both teams at Crew Stadium on Sunday.

The Designated Player from Argentina joined the club in mid-August and had five goals and seven assists in 13 games, including the winner off a penalty kick in the 62nd minute after Andrew Wiedeman’s goal in the 27th leveled the match 10 minutes following Higuain’s first score since Aug. 25.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter...LB-v-TOR/recap

[EPJr]

Journeyman Wahl hoping for fresh start with Columbus


Tyson Wahl, the seven-year MLS veteran signed by the Crew on Thursday, is looking for a fresh start after an unsatisfying season with two teams in 2012.

Wahl, 28, is expected to provide depth and also challenge for a starting role at either center back or left back on what so far is a thin backline for Columbus heading into the start of preseason camp in two weeks.

"It's a new opportunity to try and establish myself again as a starter," Wahl told MLSsoccer.com by phone on Thursday afternoon.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...start-columbus

[EPJr]

Crew signs Viana
American-born defender/midfielder brings versatility to the Black & Gold


COLUMBUS - The Columbus Crew has agreed to terms with defender/midfielder Agustín Viana as a Discovery Signing, the club announced Monday. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, details of the contract were not disclosed. The 29-year-old will be officially added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

Name: Agustín Viana
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165
Born: August 23, 1983 in Chicago, Ill.
Hometown: Montevideo, Uruguay
Citizenship: United States/Uruguay
Acquired: Discovery Signing on January 28, 2013
Professional Experience: Bella Vista (2012, 2010-11, 2008, 2001-05), Levadiakos (2011-12), Gallipoli (2009-10), CFR Cluj (2009) Atlético Mineiro (2008), Nacional Montevideo (2006-08)

http://www.thecrew.com/news/2013/01/...t%C3%ADn-viana

[EPJr]

Report:
Crew, Fire finally seal long-rumored deal for Duka


Eastern Conference rivals Chicago and Columbus have finally concluded their extended haggling and completed a trade that sends Dilly Duka to the Windy City in exchange for speedster Dominic Oduro.

The deal would bolster Chicago’s new-look midfield with the skillful Duka, a former US youth international capable of playing multiple positions. A member of the 2009 Generation adidas class, the 23-year-old was highly rated upon his departure from Rutgers University, though his relationship with the Crew coaching staff seemed to degrade towards the end of last season, which was blighted by a hamstring injury in the first game of the year.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...seal-duka-deal

[EPJr]

2013 Depth Chart: Columbus Crew

[truebluefan]

A familiar sight and a contribution from a blossoming prospect combined to help the Crew do something that no road team had done to D.C. United in more than a year.

Andy Gruenebaum’s top-notch goalkeeping and Ben Speas’ goal in the 58th minute lifted the Crew to a 2-1 victory yesterday, bringing United’s 19-game home unbeaten streak to an end in front of 11,034 at RFK Stadium.

[truebluefan]

Dominic Oduro's 72nd minute equalizer from a tight angle salvaged a draw for the Crew against the Philadelphia Union in front of its home fans on Saturday night. Known for his speed, Oduro slipped through the Union backline to receive a ball from Eddie Gaven nearly at the endline to beat 'keeper Zac MacMath to near post for the leveler.

"Danny [O'Rourke] played me a really good ball and I just took a good touch and I saw Dom making a really good run on the right side of the box and he did all the rest," Gaven recalled after the match.

Added Oduro: "I saw Eddie, we made eye contact, I made the movement and he made the right pass. I was just praying for glory, hitting the ball from that angle. I was hoping that it would go off somebody to tuck it in. I'm glad it went in."

The tally was Oduro's second for the Black & Gold this season after joining the team from the Chicago Fire in January as Gaven picked up his second assist of 2013.

SECOND HALF BOOST

Lacking energy for much of the first half, Jack McInerney's 34th minute counterattack tap-in to put the Union ahead 1-0 was all the Crew needed to wake up and fight back. Head Coach Robert Warzycha's halftime message inspired his team to play the way it had to pick up two road wins against Chivas USA and D.C. United last month.

"[The message] was to wake up, really," defender Tyson Wahl explained. "It was a message that was deserved. Myself and a bunch of other guys, we were a little bit lethargic. Everyone needed to wake up. Unfortunately the slap in the face was the goal and I think that was what it took. You can't really afford to start a game that way."

"It wasn't a fun place to be in [the locker room at halftime]," Gaven echoed. "We didn't play very well in that first half and we all knew it. There were some things that we needed to change and I think we did. We played much better during the second half."

Pleased with his side's second half, Warzycha wants to make sure his players don't become content with their playing time.

"The second half, we changed the formation a little bit," the Head Coach said. "More than anything, we had more energy. We started to play, we started to chase the guys, we started to win 50-50s. We had a little bit more of an idea of how we play.

"I think in the first half, some of the guys got too comfortable playing a full game-- some of them-- and they're thinking they're going to be on the field all of the time. That is not the case."

The Crew travels north of the border next week to face the Eastern Conference leading Montreal Impact.

MARSHALL MILESTONE

In the 58th minute of Saturday's match, defender Chad Marshall became the 46th player in MLS history to play 20,000 minutes and just the 12th to reach the plateau with one club. The veteran became the only player in Crew player in history to reach the milestone in Black & Gold.

"It feels like I'm getting old," the 28-year-old joked after the match. "These records and stuff only come to old people. It means a lot. I've been here a long time, since I was a teenager, so it's cool to get these accolades."

Drafted by the Crew second overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, Marshall has helped the club to three MLS Supporters' Shields and the 2008 MLS Cup. The Riverside, Calif. native is also only one of three players to win the MLS Defender of the Year award twice, joining Carlos Bocanegra and former Crew teammate Robin Fraser.

"Chad is a staple in this organization," President and General Manager Mark McCullers said. "To reach 20,000 minutes is remarkable. The emotion I feel is pride. I'm proud of him. I'm proud to have him as part of this club, he means a lot to us. I think it's pretty cool and I'm looking forward to the next 20,000."

[truebluefan]

Federico Higuain had a penalty and an assist and Jairo Arrieta made a triumphant return to the first XI as the Crew did all their scoring in the first half for a 3-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night in a match delayed 50 minutes at the start after a fire in the video board at Crew Stadium.

The teams were warming up when the blaze broke out on the top of the video board above the south stands about 25 minutes before the scheduled kickoff.

Fans were cleared from the area and the players were forced to stop warming up. No one was injured and spectators in the sections below the board, including D.C.'s traveling supporters La Barra Brava, were moved elsewhere for the match.

There was no sound system for the match and the Nordecke supporters section led the crowd of 14,090 in singing the Star Spangled Banner.

Once the game began the Crew (3-2-3) sent D.C. to their fifth straight loss and extend a winless streak to 0-5-1.

Arrieta was back in the starting lineup for the first time in five matches and the Costa Rican forward had a part in all three goals by setting up Dominic Oduro on the first; drawing a corner kick that led to Williams' score and earning a penalty that Higuain converted.

After returning from national team duty, Arrieta lost his first XI berth but quickly paid dividends vs. D.C. by setting up Oduro's fourth goal in the 15th minute.

He took a cross from by Eddie Gaven on the left side of the box and dribbled toward the endline before cutting a pass to the middle where Oduro buried a shot to give the Crew only their second goal in the first half this season.

D.C. shortly thereafter thought it had tied the match but, as they did in losing 2-1 to the Crew at home on March 23, they had a goal disallowed much to their chagrin.

In the first meeting, Kyle Porter was ruled offside before scoring while this time Perry Kitchen was called for a foul as he headed the ball into the goal. Saturday's decision in the 23rd minute became even more pivotal when Williams scored for the second time this season vs. D.C. just moments later.

After failing to earn a corner kick in losing 1-0 at Chicago the previous match, the Crew struck on their first try in the 26th minute as Federico Higuain found Williams 10 yards in front of the goal. The defender's sidewinder was his third goal of the season.

The Crew made it 3-0 in second minute of first-half stoppage time when Gaven heeled the ball to Arrieta, who was taken down from behind by Brandon McDonald.

Higuain converted the PK after a stutter-step for his second goal, adding to D.C. 's 0-5-1 run in Columbus since 2007.

The Crew will play their sixth straight Eastern Conference foe when they host New York on May 4. D.C. United hopes to be healthier for their next match May 8 against Houston at RFK Stadium.