The Columbus Crew finally tasted the fruits of the ultimate victory in Major League Soccer when their lucky 13th season ended with the club's first title.
If new coach Robert Warzycha had any doubts about his team being ready to play like champions in 2009, they were dispelled early in preseason training.
"Based on the results of the testing they had, they're fitter than last year. The results were better," Warzycha said. "They used the offseason to prepare for the season. The results of the test showed me they're going to be hungry to win another championship."
Other than a big change at the top -- and it will be many months before the verdict is on the departure of head coach Sigi Schmid to Seattle Sounders FC -- the Crew are remarkably similar to last season's team that surprised the experts and thrilled their unsuspecting fans when they went from a non-playoff team to defeating New York 3-1 in MLS Cup 2008 on Nov. 23.
"There's not too many new guys," midfielder Adam Moffat said. "It's good we kept the same squad. Obviously, the squad is a lot smaller this season so it makes it more competitive."
With the reduction in rosters by four players to 24, the Crew jettisoned many fringe players but the core remains. In fact, 10 of the 11 starters in the championship match are back and only two others in the top 18 are gone.
Central midfielder Brad Evans was lost to Seattle in the expansion draft but the Crew feel they have the personnel to replace him. Foremost could be Moffat, who won the starting job over Evans in 2008 before going down for the season with a knee injury after playing seven games.
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SIGHTS & SOUNDS
However, it appears Moffat won't be ready by the season opener March 21 at Houston and second-year player Emmanuel Ekpo, a member of Nigeria's silver medal team at the Beijing Olympics, could get the nod.
"We feel that there are several players who can fill in at almost any position and that spot is one where we have options," Warzycha said.
He didn't have to state the obvious but one person is irreplaceable. The incomparable Guillermo Barros Schelotto re-signed in December after being named the league and playoff MVP. Although he will be 36 in May, he came to camp eager to add another title to his impressive resume.
"You play for the championships," the Argentinean forward said. "This year, we want to show we are the best team again."
Schelotto had 19 assists in the regular season, tied for second-most in league history. He added another six in the playoffs, including three in the MLS Cup.
"You know when your team starts with Guille (pronounced ghee-zhay), you have a pretty good foundation to build on," defender Frankie Hejduk said.
While Schelotto drives the attack, the backline is anchored by MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall. The Crew's first draft choice in 2004 had a breakout season at both ends of the field. The center back partnered with either rookie Andy Iro or Danny O'Rourke, who was in his first season as a defender after years in the midfield. Iro and O'Rourke, a Columbus native, return.
Marshall's 6-foot-4 frame and leaping ability patrolled the box in front of goalkeeper William Hesmer and he was a force on the Crew's set pieces. Marshall had four goals in the regular season, added a timely score against Chicago in the Eastern Conference Championship and headed in the winning goal in the second half off a Schelotto corner kick in the MLS Cup.
"More of the same," was Marshall's response when asked for his goals in 2009.
Sometimes not making moves is good. The Crew certainly hope so.
Hesmer started all but a meaningless game at New York after the Crew (17-7-6 in 2008) had clinched the Supporters' Shield. He tied for the league lead with 10 shutouts and was third in goals against average (1.14). Andy Gruenebaum, who was supplanted by Hesmer after the 10th game of the 2007 season, will be the backup.
Hejduk starts at right back and Gino Padula will man the left side. The Crew were nearly unbeatable with Padula in the lineup, losing only one of 18 matches he played in his first season with Columbus. The Crew will miss the experience in the back of three-time MLS Cup winner Ezra Hendrickson, who retired to become an assistant with Seattle.
The unsung hero was defensive midfielder Brian Carroll. He quietly parlayed his first year in Columbus to an invitation to the U.S. national team camp in January. His role as conduit from the defenders to the midfielders made the transition game go and was a reason the Crew were second in scoring (50 goals) while also allowing the third-fewest (36).
U.S. Olympian Robbie Rogers was named to the All-Star team and was a Best XI selection along with Marshall and Schelotto. He creates havoc on the left flank with his speed but is equally adroit on the other side when needed. Rogers, who made his first appearance for the national team in January, is hoping to turn a productive season into a European contract.
His counterpart on the right side is just a year older at 22 but Eddie Gaven will enter his seventh MLS season and fourth with the Crew. Gaven had three goals and two assists with most of his points coming down the stretch when the Crew pulled away from New England with a 7-0-2 run.
There is plenty of competition in the middle of the park for Moffat and/or Ekpo. Duncan Oughton, the longest-tenured Crew player, and September discovery signee Stanley Nyazamba will be in the mix, but Stefani Miglioranzi was traded to Los Angeles in the offseason.
Schelotto, of course, will be up top in conjunction with hard-working Alejandro Moreno, who had a career-high nine goals.
The bench is deep and versatile among the forwards. Pat Noonan joined the team in August and was a part of a championship team for the first time after three near-misses with New England. The Crew was 2-0-1 when he started for the injured Schelotto in September and he can also play wide midfield.
Jason Garey has provided instant offense at times in a reserve role and Steven Lenhart had an impressive rookie season as he came off the bench to score three late tying goals, including a critical one in the first postseason game at Kansas City.
There is little room for newcomers but 2009 draft choices midfielder Alex Grendi and defender Chris Clements are among those vying for a spot on either the full or developmental roster.
"We have a great team, obviously, and it's pretty much the same team," Rogers said. "Anything less (than a championship) would be a disappointment for all of us."
A deep roster is needed. Unlike last year when the Crew went out early in the U.S. Open Cup, and had no other tournaments, Columbus will be in the CONCACAF Champions League. There will also be disruptions as Hejduk and possibly others get called away to the U.S. side for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA Confederations Cup and World Cup qualifiers. Also, Moreno (Venezuela) and Ekpo could miss time for national team duty.
Juggling the lineup falls to Warzycha in his first full season. The former Crew player (1996-2002) was interim coach in 2005 when he took a team that was 4-10-2 to a 7-6-3 record. He had been Schmid's understudy the past three seasons.
He was a popular choice among the fans and players to become the team's fifth head coach.
"It's different being the head coach and being in that position and being responsible for basically everything. That's what the position brings and you have to be ready for it," Warzycha said.
The former Polish international is expected to play more up-tempo but otherwise has done little tinkering so far with a winning formula.
"We haven't been doing anything drastically different than we did before. We had a good thing going," Marshall said. "It's definitely good from his end that he can demonstrate stuff, being a coach that is still able to play and hit that ball and show you what he's talking about. He brings that aspect to it, which is great."
To fill Warzycha's void on the staff, former Crew defender (1996 and '98) Ricardo Iribarren was hired.
Otherwise, nearly all the familiar faces return. The big difference is the Crew are now the hunted ones instead of being at the back of the pack.
"We have real humble players. Everyone is still working really hard. It feels kind of the same as last year," Rogers said. "Bobby's done a good job at bringing in guys and keeping guys together that will work hard for each other and that are not content just with that trophy last year so I think we have a great group of core players and I'm excited for the league to start.
"Playing with silver ball (as MLS Cup champions) is a target on our back. It will be interesting to see how teams come out against us compared to last year."
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