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Columbus Crew Win MLS Cup
Rarely do teams win both the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup, but Columbus Crew have done just that today. In front of a sell-out crowd in the Home Depot Center, Guillermo Barros Schelotto put in a MVP performance to lead them to the trophy.
Nov 23, 2008 3:30:40 PM
"This means more than anything to me. These boys have battled back all year." - Crew captain Frankie Hejduk
CARSON, Calif.—Ladies and gentlemen, your MLS Cup champions of 2008 is Columbus Crew. A workmanlike display eked out three goals against a resolute, but ultimately outmatched, Red Bull New York. The underdogs couldn’t pull out the upset at the final hurdle, much to the dismay of their rambunctious fans, who were cheering all throughout the game, even after the match was called.
First Half
In the opening minutes, the game settled into the groove many were expecting: the Crew taking the game to the Red Bulls. In the 4th minute, Chris Leitch hammered through Robbie Rogers on the left touchline to earn a yellow. The resulting free kick ended up past Danny Cepero in goal, but was called offsides.
Moving into the first dozen minutes, Columbus struggled to get Guillermo Barros Schelotto involved in the play. They sprung long balls out to their speedy wingers in moves that dissipated quickly.
New York was using their counters more effectively. John Wolyniec shot over from outside the box in the 14th and two minutes later a Dave van den Bergh cross found Juan Pablo Angel before being bundled back to William Hesmer.
It was again van den Bergh providing, this time in from a corner kick in the 17th, that Kevin Goldthwaite headed across goal but saw fall a few agonizing feet wide.
By the twenty minute mark, Red Bull had grabbed the brunt of the play, and was working the ball around dangerously. Van den Bergh’s distribution and Angel’s sheer natural ability were testing the Crew defense. Several solid chances went begging, as Columbus continued launching long balls over the top that ended in the hands of Cepero.
As if to underline how Sigi Schmid’s game plan wasn’t working, fullback Gino Padula turned awkwardly on his ankle in the 25th, and Andy Iro warmed up to enter the field. He didn’t come on, however, and Padula continued.
Four minutes later, New York followed the advice of their fans singing, “Attack! Attack attack attack!” Richards wiggled through three defenders before turning the ball back for Angel. The Colombian’s volley sizzled just over the post.
Completely against the run of play, Alejandro Moreno collected a lovely Schelotto pass down the right line, and marched in towards goal alone. He persistently barged towards goal, despite not having the natural pace to beat his man, and managed to shoot. Cepero couldn’t muster the form of the last several games, and only palmed it into the back corner. Many would have expected a Crew lead before the game, but based on how the opening half hour had transpired, it was quite the shock.
Red Bull continued to hold the better of the play. Their smart midfield posture kept Columbus searching for options out wide, and Richards was a menace on the attack with his scintillating pace.
Heading towards the end of the half, the game petered out. The ball seemed content to ping around the midfield with no real threat to either goal. The game threatened to emulate most other finals: drab and defensive.
Second Half
The first five minutes of the half promised more of the same. Both teams positioned themselves cautiously, and only ventured out in little bursts. But another unexpected goal struck in the 50th minute, this time for New York. The always threatening Richards dallied with the ball on the top of the box before sliding the ball through cleverly for Wolyniec to poke home.
From there, the game exploded. Columbus won a corner of the very next play, which Schelotto floated easily into the box. An onrushing Chad Marshall slammed the ball into the net with some venom.
87 seconds separated the goals. The second half had only been alive eight minutes, but it had already offered more goals than the opening 45.
It was to be something of a false dawn, however. The game slowed down to its earlier pace, with neither teams making significant inroads. Columbus was content to soak up pressure and try to use their speed on the counter. New York struggled to provide meaningful chances.
Their best chances came from set pieces. In the 64th, Angel blasted one from about 30 yards well over the bar. Another one from a Gino Padula foul, for which he received a yellow, could not make it past the outstretched arms of Hesmer.
The last twenty minutes began with increased Crew dominance. Several Schelotto-orchestrated moves ended with opportunities on goal, but none of the intricate buildup resulted in a further goal. Schelotto decided to take matters into his own hand in the 76th, when he chipped a ball from well outside the box that lofted into the post before heading back into play.
The 77th minute gave the game its first substitution. Luke Sassano made way for the more adventurous Jorge Rojas, as New York chased the game.
It didn’t work. Schelotto struck again, this time in the 80th. He lifted the ball in an arch over the New York defense for the energetic Frankie Hejduk to burst through and head over Cepero. Surf’s up, said his celebration from the rare headed goal.
Red Bull had a legitimate penalty call in the 85th. They pushed forward in desperation, and it nearly paid off. Angel cut in from the left and Hejduk pushed him over in the corner of the box. The referee waved play on.
On the other end, Eddie Gaven made a cutting run in from the right, and it looked like he was clear in on goal, before an inch-perfect tackle from Goldthwaite saved further blushes for New York.
The fourth official had already indicated three minutes of extra time before Schmid made his first substitutions. Andy Iro gave stalwart Schelotto a rest with the game already tied up, and then supersub Steven Lenhart came on for Eddie Gaven.
A sea of bumblebee black and yellow swarmed the pitch the moment the final whistle blew. In the end, it was a deserved final victory for the best team in MLS this season.
--Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
CARSON, Calif.—Ladies and gentlemen, your MLS Cup champions of 2008 is Columbus Crew. A workmanlike display eked out three goals against a resolute, but ultimately outmatched, Red Bull New York. The underdogs couldn’t pull out the upset at the final hurdle, much to the dismay of their rambunctious fans, who were cheering all throughout the game, even after the match was called.
First Half
In the opening minutes, the game settled into the groove many were expecting: the Crew taking the game to the Red Bulls. In the 4th minute, Chris Leitch hammered through Robbie Rogers on the left touchline to earn a yellow. The resulting free kick ended up past Danny Cepero in goal, but was called offsides.
Moving into the first dozen minutes, Columbus struggled to get Guillermo Barros Schelotto involved in the play. They sprung long balls out to their speedy wingers in moves that dissipated quickly.
New York was using their counters more effectively. John Wolyniec shot over from outside the box in the 14th and two minutes later a Dave van den Bergh cross found Juan Pablo Angel before being bundled back to William Hesmer.
It was again van den Bergh providing, this time in from a corner kick in the 17th, that Kevin Goldthwaite headed across goal but saw fall a few agonizing feet wide.
By the twenty minute mark, Red Bull had grabbed the brunt of the play, and was working the ball around dangerously. Van den Bergh’s distribution and Angel’s sheer natural ability were testing the Crew defense. Several solid chances went begging, as Columbus continued launching long balls over the top that ended in the hands of Cepero.
As if to underline how Sigi Schmid’s game plan wasn’t working, fullback Gino Padula turned awkwardly on his ankle in the 25th, and Andy Iro warmed up to enter the field. He didn’t come on, however, and Padula continued.
Four minutes later, New York followed the advice of their fans singing, “Attack! Attack attack attack!” Richards wiggled through three defenders before turning the ball back for Angel. The Colombian’s volley sizzled just over the post.
Completely against the run of play, Alejandro Moreno collected a lovely Schelotto pass down the right line, and marched in towards goal alone. He persistently barged towards goal, despite not having the natural pace to beat his man, and managed to shoot. Cepero couldn’t muster the form of the last several games, and only palmed it into the back corner. Many would have expected a Crew lead before the game, but based on how the opening half hour had transpired, it was quite the shock.
Red Bull continued to hold the better of the play. Their smart midfield posture kept Columbus searching for options out wide, and Richards was a menace on the attack with his scintillating pace.
Heading towards the end of the half, the game petered out. The ball seemed content to ping around the midfield with no real threat to either goal. The game threatened to emulate most other finals: drab and defensive.
Second Half
The first five minutes of the half promised more of the same. Both teams positioned themselves cautiously, and only ventured out in little bursts. But another unexpected goal struck in the 50th minute, this time for New York. The always threatening Richards dallied with the ball on the top of the box before sliding the ball through cleverly for Wolyniec to poke home.
From there, the game exploded. Columbus won a corner of the very next play, which Schelotto floated easily into the box. An onrushing Chad Marshall slammed the ball into the net with some venom.
87 seconds separated the goals. The second half had only been alive eight minutes, but it had already offered more goals than the opening 45.
It was to be something of a false dawn, however. The game slowed down to its earlier pace, with neither teams making significant inroads. Columbus was content to soak up pressure and try to use their speed on the counter. New York struggled to provide meaningful chances.
Their best chances came from set pieces. In the 64th, Angel blasted one from about 30 yards well over the bar. Another one from a Gino Padula foul, for which he received a yellow, could not make it past the outstretched arms of Hesmer.
The last twenty minutes began with increased Crew dominance. Several Schelotto-orchestrated moves ended with opportunities on goal, but none of the intricate buildup resulted in a further goal. Schelotto decided to take matters into his own hand in the 76th, when he chipped a ball from well outside the box that lofted into the post before heading back into play.
The 77th minute gave the game its first substitution. Luke Sassano made way for the more adventurous Jorge Rojas, as New York chased the game.
It didn’t work. Schelotto struck again, this time in the 80th. He lifted the ball in an arch over the New York defense for the energetic Frankie Hejduk to burst through and head over Cepero. Surf’s up, said his celebration from the rare headed goal.
Red Bull had a legitimate penalty call in the 85th. They pushed forward in desperation, and it nearly paid off. Angel cut in from the left and Hejduk pushed him over in the corner of the box. The referee waved play on.
On the other end, Eddie Gaven made a cutting run in from the right, and it looked like he was clear in on goal, before an inch-perfect tackle from Goldthwaite saved further blushes for New York.
The fourth official had already indicated three minutes of extra time before Schmid made his first substitutions. Andy Iro gave stalwart Schelotto a rest with the game already tied up, and then supersub Steven Lenhart came on for Eddie Gaven.
A sea of bumblebee black and yellow swarmed the pitch the moment the final whistle blew. In the end, it was a deserved final victory for the best team in MLS this season.
--Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
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