CARSON, Calif. -- Columbus Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer is at his second MLS Cup but he said his first trip with Kansas City four years ago doesn't really count.
He was on the developmental roster when the Wizards lost to D.C. United in the final and did not appear in a first-team match that season.
"I vaguely even remember the experience to be honest. Little bits and pieces I remember. Maybe I blocked it out because it was a losing time for us," he said. "I remember being here at Home Depot, the circus around it, the media showing up, the extra events and family members showing up, friends showing up wanting tickets.
"For the most part I remember it being another game. Not a lot changes now other than the stuff going on outside the soccer field."
Hesmer has played 52 of the past 53 Crew matches.
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MLS Cup Sights & Sounds
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SIGHTS & SOUNDS
"He's a lot more confident as a goalkeeper," coach Sigi Schmid said. "I always felt he had talent. I wanted to draft him when he was coming out. At the time I was with the Galaxy but it didn't work out. He's a good steady goalkeeper. There's not a lot of highs and lows in his game. That's one thing I've appreciated about him."
Ready to serve: Crew forward Pat Noonan started in the past three MLS Cups with the New England Revolution, but he isn't likely to start his fourth consecutive Cup Final with Columbus.
Noonan has appeared sporadically since joining Columbus from Norwegian club Aalesunds FK during the summer. It's the first time in Noonan's professional career that he hasn't been a regular starter, but he understands why he has spent most of his time on the bench.
"It's tough coming off the bench," Noonan said. "Obviously, I'd like to be in the starting lineup. That's not how it has worked out. I'm going to support the guys. If my chance comes, hopefully I'll be ready to go and we're winning the game at the end. We've been winning games. You don't want to change that."
Playing as a substitute isn't an ideal fit for Noonan, who doesn't really stretch defenses with his pace or contribute an aerial threat. Instead, Noonan operates along the margins, using his creativity and guile to create chances.
With the new role, Noonan said he'll figure out how to make an impact if Schmid called his number.
"You need to do what you need to do when you get in to be effective," Noonan said. "If it's possession play or adding an offensive threat, hopefully, I'll be ready. I try to do what I can in those minutes. Hopefully, I don't have to get used it."
A relaxing place: Crew coach Sigi Schmid has a time-tested way of calming his nerves before a match.
"I started when I was playing. I always go and find a piece of grass in the corner kick area and make the Sign of the Cross and say a little prayer to my mother," he said. "That's been my ritual since I've been playing. It's been my ritual since coaching. It puts me in a good frame of mind."
Tinseltown talents: The Crew had their first celebrity sighting moments after arriving in Los Angeles. Rookie forward Steven Lenhart and second-year midfielder Adam Moffat had pictures taken with tennis superstar Serena Williams at the baggage claim at LAX.
Also, a reporter from MLSnet.com shared a Southwest Airlines flight to L.A. from Phoenix with actor Ted Danson.
No razors here: Playoff beards are longstanding tradition in hockey -- so they are an uncommon sight in Columbus, because the NHL's Blue Jackets have failed to make the postseason in their first seven seasons.
The Crew, who missed the playoffs from 2005-07, are doing their part to derail the razor industry.
William Hesmer and Alejandro Moreno are among the hirsute leaders as well as Adam Moffat, whose 5 o'clock shadow comes in at about 1 p.m.
Roughly, literally, two-thirds of the team has beards or facsimiles. Robbie Rogers and Brian Carroll have had their efforts described as "thin," "patchy" and "spotty." Defender Andy Iro has a Mohawk but gave up on the beard.
"It grew a little bit. If I kept it I would have embarrassed myself," Iro said.
"Some guys grow them better than others," coach Sigi Schmid said. "Some of them are pretty sketchy. I know I can't grow one so I don't even try. Plus, it would be all gray."
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