This article first appeared in RedMatchday Magazine, Aberdeen Football Club's award-winning publication, on November 29, 2008.Columbus Crew ensured that their first MLS Championship Final appearance last Sunday was a celebratory occasion as they prevailed 3-1 over New York Red Bulls at Home Depot Centre in Los Angeles. In doing so, Head Coach of the Year Sigi Schmid’s side became the first Supporters’ Shield winners, awarded to the team with the best regular season record, to clinch the title since Los Angeles Galaxy in 2002.
In keeping with the regular season, Guillermo Barros Schelotto was the key to the Crew’s success. The veteran Argentine tormented the Red Bulls throughout and played a telling role in all three goals. It was fitting that the League MVP also received the MLS Final MVP award to add to his imposing collection of trophies. His contribution has been immense in turning around a franchise which missed the play-offs in each of the previous three seasons.
That Columbus were in town to contest the final was never seriously in dispute. Kansas City Wizards were dispatched in the Eastern Conference semi-final with relative ease before a stiff Chicago challenge was overcome by a rousing second half display. By contrast, New York were supposed to have been eliminated long ago. Despite suffering a 5-2 thrashing at Chicago in the last week of regular season fixtures, they were able to hang onto the eighth and final play-off spot thanks to results elsewhere. With one more point than Colorado Rapids, the Western Conference’s fourth-placed team, Red Bulls slid across to the West and survived trips to Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake en route to an unlikely title shot.
In keeping with the regular season, Guillermo Barros Schelotto was the key to the Crew’s success. The veteran Argentine tormented the Red Bulls throughout and played a telling role in all three goals. It was fitting that the League MVP also received the MLS Final MVP award to add to his imposing collection of trophies. His contribution has been immense in turning around a franchise which missed the play-offs in each of the previous three seasons.
That Columbus were in town to contest the final was never seriously in dispute. Kansas City Wizards were dispatched in the Eastern Conference semi-final with relative ease before a stiff Chicago challenge was overcome by a rousing second half display. By contrast, New York were supposed to have been eliminated long ago. Despite suffering a 5-2 thrashing at Chicago in the last week of regular season fixtures, they were able to hang onto the eighth and final play-off spot thanks to results elsewhere. With one more point than Colorado Rapids, the Western Conference’s fourth-placed team, Red Bulls slid across to the West and survived trips to Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake en route to an unlikely title shot.
With supporters of both finalists facing a cross-continental trip, expectations for the season’s showpiece event were somewhat pessimistic. In fact, an electronic messageboard on the I-405 freeway close to Home Depot Centre still advertised tickets the day before the game. Nor was there any sign of travelling soccer fans in the nearby beach towns of Orange County and South L.A. over the weekend, except for one lone Red Bulls fan pedalling along the Hermosa Beach boardwalk. But fears of a funereal atmosphere were quickly dispelled as soccer-lovers from around the country turned up to provide a kaleidoscope of colour and a carnival atmosphere.
On first impression one would have thought Houston Dynamo were involved given the amount their orange-clad followers in attendance. Jerseys from all of the other twelve MLS clubs were on display with the exception of New England Revolution – no surprise given that only 5,200 of their fans could be bothered attending their home play-off game against Chicago. The real soccer fans of Southern California turned out in their original green-and-gold Galaxy tops; a remnant of a more successful era before club executives revamped their shirt for marketing purposes. There were even a handful of Seattle Sounders shirts on display. Freddie Ljungberg’s new team will become the league’s fifteenth franchise when they debut next season.
On first impression one would have thought Houston Dynamo were involved given the amount their orange-clad followers in attendance. Jerseys from all of the other twelve MLS clubs were on display with the exception of New England Revolution – no surprise given that only 5,200 of their fans could be bothered attending their home play-off game against Chicago. The real soccer fans of Southern California turned out in their original green-and-gold Galaxy tops; a remnant of a more successful era before club executives revamped their shirt for marketing purposes. There were even a handful of Seattle Sounders shirts on display. Freddie Ljungberg’s new team will become the league’s fifteenth franchise when they debut next season.
As kick-off approached, the supporters groups of Columbus and New York marched to their designated areas at opposite corners behind the north goal. Pockets of Crew fans could be found scattered around the stands as around 1,000 followers made the trek from Ohio. Though outnumbered, the few hundred Red Bulls fans were certainly not out-sung.
New York’s path through the play-offs was characterised by resolute defending, effective counter-attacking, and colossal amounts of good fortune, but the first half against Columbus proved to be different. Juan Carlos Osorio’s side may have finished 18 points behind their opponents in the regular season, but they enjoyed the bulk of play with wide-midfielders Dane Richards and Dave Van den Bergh providing a regular supply into the penalty box for Juan Pablo Angel and John Wolyniec.
Schelotto’s first major contribution came on 31 minutes when Columbus took the lead against the run of play. The former Boca Juniors man robbed a hesitant Van den Bergh near the touchline before setting Alejandro Moreno free down the right with an instant pass. The Venezuelan international raced clear before firing his shot beyond New York goalkeeper Danny Cepero into the far corner.
Richards hauled New York back into the match on 51 minutes. The Jamaican winger’s direct running created space on the right for Wolyniec and the veteran striker gratefully received possession before netting a deserved equaliser. Sadly for the Red Bulls, the game’s pivotal moment was to turn the match against them while they still celebrated. A minute later, Schelotto floated a needlessly conceded corner onto the head of Chad Marshall and the towering defender found the net for the seventh time this season.
Columbus were now in complete control. Schelotto rifled one long range effort off Cepero’s crossbar before creating the clinching goal on 82 minutes. His delightfully weighted chip allowed overlapping full-back Frankie Hejduk to complete the scoring. Hejduk, the team captain, returned to the spotlight soon afterwards to take possession of the newly created Philip Anschutz Trophy from MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Schelotto may have won six league titles during a trophy-laden spell at La Bombonera, but he was still exuberant to receive his championship medal. He said: “Today is just as important as the first.” Fans of Columbus Crew will hope that this is not the last.
New York’s path through the play-offs was characterised by resolute defending, effective counter-attacking, and colossal amounts of good fortune, but the first half against Columbus proved to be different. Juan Carlos Osorio’s side may have finished 18 points behind their opponents in the regular season, but they enjoyed the bulk of play with wide-midfielders Dane Richards and Dave Van den Bergh providing a regular supply into the penalty box for Juan Pablo Angel and John Wolyniec.
Schelotto’s first major contribution came on 31 minutes when Columbus took the lead against the run of play. The former Boca Juniors man robbed a hesitant Van den Bergh near the touchline before setting Alejandro Moreno free down the right with an instant pass. The Venezuelan international raced clear before firing his shot beyond New York goalkeeper Danny Cepero into the far corner.
Richards hauled New York back into the match on 51 minutes. The Jamaican winger’s direct running created space on the right for Wolyniec and the veteran striker gratefully received possession before netting a deserved equaliser. Sadly for the Red Bulls, the game’s pivotal moment was to turn the match against them while they still celebrated. A minute later, Schelotto floated a needlessly conceded corner onto the head of Chad Marshall and the towering defender found the net for the seventh time this season.
Columbus were now in complete control. Schelotto rifled one long range effort off Cepero’s crossbar before creating the clinching goal on 82 minutes. His delightfully weighted chip allowed overlapping full-back Frankie Hejduk to complete the scoring. Hejduk, the team captain, returned to the spotlight soon afterwards to take possession of the newly created Philip Anschutz Trophy from MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Schelotto may have won six league titles during a trophy-laden spell at La Bombonera, but he was still exuberant to receive his championship medal. He said: “Today is just as important as the first.” Fans of Columbus Crew will hope that this is not the last.
Pictures from Home Depot Center are available here.
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