2014 Columbus Crew season

Columbus Crew
2014 season
Owner Precourt Sports Ventures LLC
Head Coach Gregg Berhalter
Major League Soccer Conference: 3rd
Overall: 7th
MLS Cup Eastern Conference Semifinals
(Lost to New England Revolution 7–3 agg)
U.S. Open Cup Fifth Round
(Lost to Chicago Fire)
Trillium Cup Runners-Up (4–8)
Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup Winners (1–1)
WDW Pro Soccer Classic Champions
Highest home attendance 21,318 vs. New England Revolution
(20 September 2014, Major League Soccer)
Lowest home attendance 1,913 vs. Indy Eleven
(17 June 2014, US Open Cup)
Average home league attendance 16,881 [1]
Home colors
Away colors
← 2013 2015 →

The 2014 Columbus Crew season was the club's nineteenth season of existence, and their nineteenth consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer.

Background

Review

The 2014 season was a significant break from the past, particularly off the field. New owner Anthony Precourt, having purchased the team from Hunt Sports Group midway through 2013, made his presence felt often through the year. The team enjoyed its best performance in several years, including an appearance in the playoffs for the first time in three years. Gregg Berhalter was handed the helm, serving both as head coach and sporting director. He was joined by a trio of assistant coaches that included fellow World Cup veteran Josh Wolff, and longtime MLS goalkeeper Pat Onstad.

Columbus started the season with three consecutive victories, including a road win over the Seattle Sounders. This torrid beginning then cooled dramatically as Columbus won only one of their next 16 games. Dominic Oduro, the leading scorer from the previous year, was dealt to Toronto while Jairo Arrieta likewise struggled to make an impact. Defensively a pair of new Costa Rican signings, Giancarlo Gonzalez and Waylon Francis, missed significant time due to Costa Rica's run to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. The defensive changes could have been more drastic, however, as Michael Parkhurst was left off the American squad.

A handful of players emerged in the latter half of the season, however, leading the team to a dramatic turnaround and ultimately a postseason berth. Federico Higuain was joined atop the scoring charts by third-year winger Ethan Finlay, with both ending the year with 11 goals and seven assists. Other significant players included the pairing of Tony Tchani and Wil Trapp at holding midfield and goalkeeper Steve Clark.

Ultimately, however, the team's quest for its first hardware since 2009 came up empty. It was eliminated from the US Open Cup after two games, falling once again to the Chicago Fire. The mid season doldrums ruled the club out of contention for Supporters Shield (won dramatically on the last day of the season by Seattle). Finally, the team was comprehensively outplayed in the playoffs by the New England Revolution, defeated 7-3 on aggregate over a two-game series. The team finished their last playoff game with only nine players on the field after ejections to Ethan Finlay and Justin Meram.

Off the field, new owner Anthony Precourt made sweeping changes. Long-serving General Manager Mark McCullers left the organization in the spring, replaced by Andy Loughnane after a nationwide search. While there was widespread criticism of the team's new television contract with Time Warner Sportschannel Ohio, the team continued its success at the turnstile. Three years after team attendance plummeted to less than 12,000, the team enjoyed five sellout crowds during 2014 and finished the year with the highest total attendance in the history of Crew Stadium.

The most significant change, however, was the revelation of a new team identity. The team's logo, unchanged since 1996, was jettisoned in favor of a new design that tried to better reflect the team's relationship to central Ohio. The name of the team was also changed slightly, becoming Columbus Crew SC. These changes were nearly unanimously applauded, in sharp contrast to the reaction to a new MLS logo that was also unveiled during the course of the season.[2]

Roster

Major League Soccer team are limited to eight players without U.S. citizenship, a permanent resident (green card holder), or the holder of other special status (e.g., refugee or asylum status). These international roster slots can be traded. Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth. Squad correct as of June 30, 2014.[3]

No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Clark, SteveSteve Clark  United States
2 Defender Wahl, TysonTyson Wahl  United States
3 Defender Williams, JoshJosh Williams  United States
4 Defender Parkhurst, MichaelMichael Parkhurst  United States
5 Defender Pogatetz, EmanuelEmanuel Pogatetz (INT)  Austria
6 Midfielder Tchani, TonyTony Tchani  Cameroon
7 Midfielder Añor, BernardoBernardo Añor (INT)  Venezuela
9 Midfielder Meram, JustinJustin Meram  Iraq
10 Midfielder Higuaín, FedericoFederico Higuaín (INT/DP)  Argentina
11 Midfielder Paladini, DanielDaniel Paladini  United States
12 Midfielder Jiménez, HectorHector Jiménez  United States
13 Forward Finlay, EthanEthan Finlay  United States
14 Defender Francis, WaylonWaylon Francis (INT)  Costa Rica
16 Defender Gehrig, EricEric Gehrig  United States
17 Midfielder Speas, BenBen Speas (HGP)  United States
18 Forward Schoenfeld, AaronAaron Schoenfeld  United States
19 Forward Arrieta, JairoJairo Arrieta (INT)  Costa Rica
20 Midfielder Trapp, WilWil Trapp (HGP)  United States
21 Defender Barson, ChadChad Barson (HGP)  United States
22 Defender Sweat, BenBen Sweat (on loan at Dayton Dutch Lions)  United States
23 Midfielder George, KevanKevan George (on loan at Dayton Dutch Lions)  Trinidad and Tobago
24 Midfielder Viana, AgustinAgustin Viana  Uruguay
25 Midfielder Gall, RomainRomain Gall  United States
26 Forward Finley, RyanRyan Finley  United States
27 Midfielder Friedman, RossRoss Friedman (on loan at Dayton Dutch Lions)  United States
28 Goalkeeper Lampson, MattMatt Lampson (HGP)  United States
29 Forward Bedell, AdamAdam Bedell  United States
30 Midfielder Baiden, FifiFifi Baiden (INT)  Ghana
31 Defender Wiet, MatthewMatthew Wiet (HGP)  United States
33 Midfielder Walker, MattMatt Walker (HGP/on loan at Dayton Dutch Lions)  United States
41 Goalkeeper Stuver, BradBrad Stuver (on loan at Dayton Dutch Lions)  United States

Competitions

Preseason

MLS

Standings

Eastern Conference
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 D.C. United 34 17 9 8 52 37 +15 59 Conference Semi-finals & 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League
2 New England Revolution 34 17 13 4 51 37 +14 55 Conference Semi-finals
3 Columbus Crew SC 34 14 10 10 52 42 +10 52 Knockout round
4 New York Red Bulls 34 13 10 11 55 50 +5 50
5 Sporting Kansas City 34 14 13 7 48 41 +7 49
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) home goals scored; 9) home goal differential; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
Overall table
Pos
Team
 Pts
 GP
 W
 L
 T
 GF
 GA
 GD
Qualification or relegation
1 Seattle Sounders FC (SS) (W1) 64 34 20 10 4 65 50+15 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League 1 4
2 LA Galaxy 61 34 17 7 10 69 37+32 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League 2
3 D.C. United (E1) 59 34 17 9 8 52 37+15 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League 3
4 Real Salt Lake 56 34 15 8 11 54 39+15 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League 5
5 New England Revolution 55 34 17 13 4 51 46+5  
6 FC Dallas 54 34 16 12 6 55 45+10
7 Columbus Crew 52 34 14 10 10 52 42+10
8 New York Red Bulls 50 34 13 10 11 55 50+5
9 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 50 34 12 8 14 42 40+2 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League 6
10 Sporting Kansas City 49 34 14 13 7 48 41+7  
11 Portland Timbers 49 34 12 9 13 61 52+9
12 Philadelphia Union 42 34 10 12 12 51 510
13 Toronto FC 41 34 11 15 8 44 54−10
14 Houston Dynamo 39 34 11 17 6 39 58−19
15 Chicago Fire 36 34 6 10 18 41 51−10
16 Chivas USA 33 34 9 19 6 29 61−32
17 Colorado Rapids 32 34 8 18 8 43 62−19
18 San Jose Earthquakes 30 34 6 16 12 35 50−15
19 Montreal Impact 28 34 6 18 10 38 58−20 2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League 7

Updated to matches played on October 26, 2014 11:36 PM, EDT. Source: MLSSoccer.com
Notation Key:

(SS) = Supporters Shield winner
(E1) = Eastern Conference champion
(W1) = Western Conference champion

1 The highest ranked U.S.-based MLS club qualifies to the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League seeding Pot A (Canadian teams normally do not qualify for the Champions League through MLS, qualifying instead via the Canadian Championship, however see note 4.) The other U.S. representatives in the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League are:

5 If the same team qualifies multiple times and/or if a Canadian team occupies one or more of the MLS qualifying places, then the American MLS team(s) with the best regular-season record not otherwise qualified are entered.

6 For this season only, the highest placed Canadian team will be awarded Canada's place in the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League, as a result of the rescheduling of the Canadian Championship in 2015.[4]

7 Montreal Impact qualified for the 2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League as winners of the 2014 Canadian Championship.

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldPtsWL TGFGAGDWL TGFGAGDWL TGFGAGD
34 52 14 10 10 52 42  +10 9 4 4 27 15  +12 5 6 6 25 27  −2

Last updated: 19 October 2014
Source: Columbus Crew
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
GroundAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHHHAHAHHAAAH
Result W W W L D D D L L L D W L D D D D L L W W D L W W L W D W W L W W W

Last updated: October 26, 2014.
Source:
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: T = Tie; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.

Match results

U.S. Open Cup

MLS Cup Playoffs

Conference Semifinals

New England Revolution won 7–3 on aggregate

Friendlies

Kirk Urso Memorial Match

Statistics

Appearances

Numbers outside parentheses denote appearances as starter.
Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.
Players with no appearances are not included in the list.
As of match played September 27, 2014[6]
No. Pos. Nat. Name MLS US Open Cup Total
Apps Apps Apps
1 GK United States Steve Clark 30(0)2(0)32(0)
2 D United States Tyson Wahl 11(3)1(0)12(3)
3 D United States Josh Williams 13(1)1(0)14(1)
4 D United States Michael Parkhurst 28(1)1(1)29(2)
5 D Costa Rica Giancarlo González 17(0)0(0)17(0)
6 M Cameroon Tony Tchani 29(0)2(0)31(0)
7 M Venezuela Bernardo Añor 17(7)2(0)19(7)
8 F-M Ghana Dominic Oduro 6(5)0(0)6(5)
9 M Iraq Justin Meram 15(13)1(1)16(14)
10 F Argentina Federico Higuaín 26(1)0(0)26(1)
11 M United States Daniel Paladini 2(1)1(0)3(1)
12 M United States Hector Jiménez 15(5)2(0)17(5)
13 F United States Ethan Finlay 17(8)1(0)18(8)
14 D Costa Rica Waylon Francis 22(0)0(0)22(0)
16 D United States Eric Gehrig 13(4)2(0)15(4)
17 M United States Ben Speas 6(5)2(0)8(5)
18 F United States Aaron Schoenfeld 4(8)0(0)4(8)
19 F Costa Rica Jairo Arrieta 15(5)0(2)15(7)
20 M United States Wil Trapp 24(0)0(1)24(1)
21 D United States Chad Barson 8(3)1(1)9(4)
22 D United States Ben Sweat 0(0)1(0)1(0)
23 D Trinidad and Tobago Kevan George 2(2)1(0)3(2)
24 M-D Uruguay Agustín Viana 4(0)0(0)4(0)
25 M Spain Álvaro Rey 0(2)0(0)0(2)
25 M United States Romain Gall 0(2)0(0)0(2)
29 F United States Adam Bedell 6(8)1(0)7(8)
30 M Ghana Fifi Baiden 0(1)0(0)0(1)

Goals and assists

As of match played September 27, 2014[6]
No. Pos. Name MLS US Open Cup Total
Goals Assists Goals Assists Goals Assists
3DUnited States Josh Williams 010001
5DCosta Rica Giancarlo González 100010
6MCameroon Tony Tchani 020002
7MVenezuela Bernardo Añor 502070
9MIraq Justin Meram 740074
10FArgentina Federico Higuaín 11600116
12MUnited States Hector Jiménez 140014
13MUnited States Ethan Finlay 850085
14DCosta Rica Waylon Francis 060006
17MUnited States Ben Speas 120113
18FUnited States Aaron Schoenfeld 210021
19FCosta Rica Jairo Arrieta 302050
20MUnited States Wil Trapp 130013
24M-DUruguay Agustín Viana 100010
29FUnited States Adam Bedell 200020
Total4334414735

Disciplinary record

As of match played September 27, 2014[7]
No. Pos. Name MLS US Open Cup Total
YC Red card YC Red card YC Red card
1GKUnited States Steve Clark 201030
2DUnited States Tyson Wahl 300030
3DUnited States Josh Williams 100010
4DUnited States Michael Parkhurst 100111
5DCosta Rica Giancarlo González 300030
6MCameroon Tony Tchani 700070
7MVenezuela Bernardo Añor 410041
8F-MGhana Dominic Oduro 100010
9MIraq Justin Meram 200020
10FArgentina Federico Higuaín 700070
11MUnited States Daniel Paladini 100111
12MUnited States Hector Jiménez 100010
13FUnited States Ethan Finlay 200020
14DCosta Rica Waylon Francis 400040
16DUnited States Eric Gehrig 400040
18FUnited States Aaron Schoenfeld 100010
19FCosta Rica Jairo Arrieta 100010
20MUnited States Wil Trapp 610061
24D-MUruguay Agustín Viana 100010
29FUnited States Adam Bedell 000101
Total51213525

Transfers

The pre-season transfer market was primarily spent strengthening the defensive line that saw the exit of Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders) and Andy Gruenebaum (Sporting KC). Steve Clark (GK), Waylon Francis (LB), Giancarlo González (CB), and USMNT Standout Michael Parkhurst would be the new starting defensive team along with long-time defender Josh Williams.

Jairo Arrieta has his option declined on 22 November 2013,[8] but was later re-signed on 18 December 2013.[9]

In

No.PositionPlayerTransferred FromFee/NotesDateSource
41GKUnited States Brad StuverUnattachedWaiver DraftNovember 25, 2013[10]
14DFCosta Rica Waylon FrancisCosta Rica HeredianoFreeNovember 26, 2013[11]
31DFUnited States Matt WietUnited States Dayton Dutch LionsFreeNovember 26, 2013[11]
11MFUnited States Daniel PaladiniUnited States Chicago FireTraded for Fourth Round Superdraft pickDecember 12, 2013[12]
1GKUnited States Steve ClarkNorway Hønefoss BKUndisclosedDecember 16, 2013[13]
4DFUnited States Michael ParkhurstGermany FC AugsburgUndisclosedJanuary 13, 2014[14]
12MFUnited States Hector JiménezUnited States LA GalaxyTradeJanuary 14, 2014[15]
5DFCosta Rica Giancarlo GonzálezNorway Vålerenga FotballUndisclosedFebruary 21, 2014[16]
25MFSpain Álvaro ReyCanada Toronto FCTradeJune 6, 2014[17]
5DFAustria Emanuel PogatetzGermany 1. FC NürnbergUndisclosedSeptember 8, 2014[18]

Out

No. Pos. Player Transferred To Fee/Notes Date Source
DF United States Eddie Gaven Retired October 31, 2013 [19]
DF Canada Drew Beckie Option Declined November 22, 2013 [8]
DF Brazil Gláuber Option Declined November 22, 2013 [8]
DF United States Kyle Hyland Option Declined November 22, 2013 [8]
MF United States Danny O'Rourke Option Declined November 22, 2013 [8]
MF Poland Konrad Warzycha Option Declined November 22, 2013 [8]
DF United States Chad Marshall United States Seattle Sounders Traded for allocation money and 2015 MLS SuperDraft third round pick December 12, 2013 [20]
GK United States Andy Gruenebaum United States Sporting Kansas City Trade December 16, 2013 [21]
FW United States Ryan Finley United States Chivas USA Trade May 8, 2014 [22]
FW Ghana Dominic Oduro Canada Toronto FC Trade June 6, 2014 [17]
MF Spain Álvaro Rey Mutually Agreed Release July 15, 2014 [23]
DF Costa Rica Giancarlo González Italy Palermo Transfer August 26, 2014 [24]

Loan in

Kelechi Iheanacho Nigeria

Loan out

No.PositionPlayerLoaned toFee/NotesDateSource
26FWUnited States Ryan FinleyUnited States Dayton Dutch LionsAffiliate Loan, later transferred outMarch 12, 2014[25]
27DFUnited States Ross FriedmanUnited States Dayton Dutch LionsAffiliate LoanMarch 12, 2014[25]
22MFTrinidad and Tobago Kevan GeorgeUnited States Dayton Dutch LionsAffiliate LoanMarch 12, 2014[25]
41GKUnited States Brad StuverUnited States Dayton Dutch LionsAffiliate LoanMarch 12, 2014[25]
33MFUnited States Matt WalkerUnited States Dayton Dutch LionsAffiliate LoanMarch 12, 2014[25]

Recognition

MLS Player of the Week

Week Player Opponent Link
3 Venezuela Bernardo Añor Philadelphia Union Player of the Week
11 Argentina Federico Higuaín Portland Timbers Player of the Week

MLS Save of the Week

Week Player Opponent Link
19 United States Steve Clark Montreal Impact Save of the Week
29 United States Steve Clark Montreal Impact Save of the Week

MLS Team of the Week

Week Player Opponent Link
1 Argentina Federico Higuaín
United States Michael Parkhurst		 D.C. United Team of the Week
3 Venezuela Bernardo Añor Philadelphia Union Team of the Week
4 Argentina Federico Higuaín Seattle Sounders FC Team of the Week
6 Argentina Federico Higuaín San Jose Earthquakes Team of the Week
8 United States Steve Clark New York Red Bulls Team of the Week
11 Argentina Federico Higuaín Portland Timbers Team of the Week
11 Argentina Federico Higuaín Chicago Fire Team of the Week
14 United States Michael Parkhurst D.C. United Team of the Week
17 United States Ethan Finlay Colorado Rapids Team of the Week
19 Venezuela Bernardo Añor Montreal Impact Team of the Week
20 Costa Rica Giancarlo González New England Revolution Team of the Week
23 United States Steve Clark
Costa Rica Giancarlo González
Cameroon Tony Tchani		 Los Angeles Galaxy Team of the Week
24 Iraq Justin Meram Houston Dynamo Team of the Week
26 Iraq Justin Meram Chivas USA Team of the Week
28 Cameroon Tony Tchani
United States Steve Clark
United States Eric Gehrig		 New England Revolution Team of the Week

Kits

Home
Away
Away Alternate
Type Shirt Shorts Socks First appearance / Info
Home Yellow Yellow Yellow
Away White / Black-Yellow White Black
Away Alt. White / Black-Yellow White White MLS, March 8 against D.C. United

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.columbuscrewsc.com/media/all-time-attendance
  2. ↑ http://massivereportdata.com/season/2014
  3. ↑ "First Team Roster". Columbus Crew. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Changes for future Amway Canadian Championships". CONCACAF.com. March 21, 2014.
  5. ↑ "MLS 2014 Playoff Schedule". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Team Stats (MLS) Columbus Crew". Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Schedule Columbus Crew". Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Crew exercises options on contracts of 14 players". Columbus Crew. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  9. ↑ "Crew re-signs forward Jairo Arrieta". Columbus Crew. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "Crew selects goalkeeper Brad Stuver in 2013 Waiver Draft". Columbus Crew. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  11. 1 2 "Crew re-signs Josh Williams; adds Waylon Francis and Homegrown Player Matt Wiet". Columbus Crew. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  12. ↑ "Crew trades 2014 Fourth Round SuperDraft pick to Chicago Fire in exchange for rights to midfielder Daniel Paladini". Columbus Crew. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  13. ↑ "Crew acquires goalkeeper Steve Clark in trade with Seattle Sounders FC". Columbus Crew. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  14. ↑ "Red, White and Blue: Signing USMNT player the goal as Crew deal for Michael Parkhurst". Columbus Crew. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  15. ↑ "Crew acquires Hector Jimenez and First Round 2014 MLS SuperDraft selection from LA Galaxy". Columbus Crew. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "Crew signs Costa Rican International Giancarlo Gonzalez". Columbus Crew. 21 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  17. 1 2 "Crew acquires midfielder Alvaro Rey from Toronto FC". Columbus Crew. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  18. ↑ "Crew sign veteran Austrian centerback Pogatetz". Soccer By Ives. September 8, 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  19. ↑ "Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven retires from professional soccer". Columbus Crew. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  20. ↑ "Crew trades Chad Marshall to Seattle Sounders FC". Columbus Crew. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  21. ↑ "Crew declines options on three players". Columbus Crew. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  22. ↑ "Crew acquires conditional 2016 Second Round SuperDraft selection in trade with Chivas USA". Columbus Crew. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  23. ↑ "Crew mutually agrees to part ways with midfielder Alvaro Rey". Columbus Crew. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  24. ↑ "Columbus Crew make it official, announce transfer of Giancarlo Gonzalez to Serie A side Palermo". MLS Soccer. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 "Crew sends five players on loan to Dayton Dutch Lions of USL-PRO". Columbus Crew. 12 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
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