Quick Hits: Columbus Crew
A look at the key facts and figures of the 2008 Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew Stadium (MLS Capacity: 22,555)
2007 Record: 9-11-10, 37 points (6th in Eastern Conference)
GF: 39 (7th in MLS)
GA: 44 (7th in MLS)
Finish: Did not make MLS Cup Playoffs
Head Coach: Sigi Schmid (3rd season in Columbus)
Key Departures: Marcos Gonzalez, Kei Kamara, Jacob Thomas, Andy Herron, Tim Ward, Ned Grabavoy
Key Additions: Nicolas Hernandez, Gino Padula, Brian Carroll, Andy Iro
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
Will Hesmer: After working his way into the starting 11 in the first half of the 2007 season, Hesmer posted a 1.45 GAA in his 20 starts with five shutouts. After a month spent training with the U.S. national team in January, expect Hesmer to look solid and confident between the posts.
DEFENDERS
Frankie Hejduk: The MLS veteran will be back for his ninth season and likely retaining his captain's duties while anchoring the Crew's inexperienced back line. Renowned for his fitness, Hejduk provides consistent defending while mixing in some opportune runs down the flank from his right back position.
Danny O'Rourke: Formerly a defensive midfielder, O'Rourke will likely crack the starting 11 in central defense. It should be a relatively comfortable move for the Columbus native, who has always had a high work rate and a nose for the ball.
Chad Marshall : The second overall pick of the 2004 SuperDraft, Marshall has the talent to be a solid MLS defender and at 6-foot-4 provides needed size for the Crew defense. However, he comes off a 2007 season where he made just 12 appearances due to various injuries.
Gino Padula: After trying out for the team on the trip to England, Padula was signed to a contract just before the start of the season, and should take over the starting left back when he gets his visa. His playing experience includes seven years in England, a year in Spain, time in his native Argentina and most recently France. But until Padula's paperwork is done, anything goes -- with Stefani Miglioranzi, Andy Iro and Ezra Hendrickson all candidates to play.
MIDFIELDERS
Duncan Oughton: In his seventh MLS season, the New Zealand international will spend much of his time as the defensive midfielder. Oughton assumed captain's duties in '07 whenever Hejduk was not on the field, and should help shore up the team's defending in 2008 with his experience and intensity.
Eddie Gaven: A regular on the U.S. under-23 national team, Gaven could be poised for a big 2008. Despite his young age, Gaven is starting his sixth MLS season and tied for second on the team last year in both goals (five) and assists (seven).
Guillermo Barros Schelotto: The Argentinean veteran will start his first full MLS season this year after his arrival from Boca Juniors early last season. Schelotto was the focus for the Crew attack with his pinpoint passes and a delicate touch to notch 11 assists last year. Crew fans can expect much of the same in 2008 as he will most likely continue to handle the set pieces for the squad
Robbie Rogers: An offensive midfielder who joins Gaven on the U.S. U-23s as well as the Crew, Rogers is best when attacking from a wide midfield position or down a wing where he can utilize his pace and skills on the ball. If he can manage to post big numbers in 2008, the Black and Gold should have success.
FORWARDS
Alejandro Moreno: A seven-year MLS veteran, Moreno has excellent skills with his back to goal and is very effective at maintaining possession of the ball. A sturdy, consistent forward who hails from Venezuela, Moreno led the team in goals in 2007 with seven and tied for second in assists (seven), despite starting the season in Houston before an early-season trade.
Nicolas Hernandez: Hernandez is the unknown element of the Crew attack for 2008. The Argentinean forward had a relatively quiet season last year in Colorado, but was named the Rapids' MVP in 2006 when he notched seven goals and six assists. In his time in MLS, Hernandez has been most dangerous when he had players able to play crossing balls in to him, and if he and Schelotto can get on the same page quickly the Argentinean twosome could be a dangerous assignment for opposing defenders.
OUTLOOK
The Crew are a squad that has been coming together piece by piece since Schmid took the reins after the 2005 season. With only a few exceptions this current lineup is comprised of players Schmid has brought in, which includes a lot of young talent. The inexperienced defense is the most troubling question mark for Crew fans at the moment, who are hoping the backline's solid performance this preseason is an indicator for things to come in 2008.
GRADING THE SEASON
The Crew need to play in the postseason for the first time in four years for 2008 to be a success. Last year, the Crew were the last team to be eliminated from the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, only three points behind fifth-place Kansas City. Anything short of the postseason for the squad this year would be a failure.
NEWCOMER(S) WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT
Nicolas Hernandez. Finishing was an issue for the Crew last season, as in both in finishing chances and finishing games (often one and the same). Hernandez may have only netted one goal a year ago for Colorado but the Crew fans should expect him to have an immediate impact as he has paired nicely with Moreno at the front of a 4-4-2 formation. The more he has played this preseason the better he has looked, and notched the only goal in the final preseason tune-up against El Salvador's Metapan.
-- Nathan Linton
