The 2009 Columbus Crew season was the club's 14th season of existence and their 14th consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of soccer in the United States and Canada. The first match of the season was on March 21 against Houston Dynamo. It was the first season under head coach Robert Warzycha.
The Crew won the Supporters' Shield yet again, their third overall and the second time a club had won it consecutively. They were upset in the conference semifinals by eventual MLS Cup winner Real Salt Lake.
Background
Roster
Technical Staff
Non-competitive The Crew started preseason in Columbus and played games in Florida, England and Texas before returning to Ohio. The Crew brought in the following trialists during training camp: Ty Shipalane, Jordan Seabrook and Anthony Peters.
Unsigned draft picks Paul Gerstenberger, Alex Grendi and Chris Clements also joined the team for preseason.
Preseason
Midseason David Topolski, Geoff Marsh and Patrick Figueiredo were guest players against Marshall Thundering Herd, Geoff Marsh returned as a guest player against Ohio State Buckeyes.
Competitive Overview
MLS
Standings
Eastern Conference
Overall table
Results summary
Results by round
Match results
MLS playoffs
Conference Semifinals
CONCACAF Champions League
TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts Cruz Azul6510164+1216 Columbus Crew622259−48 Saprissa612368−25 Puerto Rico Islanders6033612−63
U.S. Open Cup
Statistics Appearances and goals Under "Apps" for each section, the first number represents the number of starts, and the second number represents appearances as a substitute.
|colspan=12 align=center|Players who left Columbus during the season:
Disciplinary record No. Pos. Name MLS MLS Playoffs U.S. Open Cup CONCACAF Champions League Total 1 GK William Hesmer1000001020 2 DF Frankie Hejduk5000001060 3 MF Alex Grendi0000210021 4 DF Gino Padula4100001051 5 DF Danny O'Rourke6110000071 6 DF Andy Iro1100000011 7 FW Guillermo Barros Schelotto4000002060 8 DF Duncan Oughton0000001010 9 FW Jason Garey1000000010 10 FW Alejandro Moreno4100001060 12 MF Eddie Gaven3000000030 14 DF Chad Marshall1100000011 15 MF Kevin Burns1000001020 16 MF Brian Carroll5010000060 17 MF Emmanuel Ekpo6100001071 19 MF Robbie Rogers2000001030 20 FW Emilio Rentería0100000001 22 MF Adam Moffat1100001021 23 DF Eric Brunner3000002151 24 DF Jed Zayner3000000030 25 GK Kenny Schoeni0000000000 26 MF Cory Elenio0000100010 30 GK Andy Gruenebaum2000000020 32 FW Steven Lenhart4000002060Players who left Columbus during the season: 11 FW Pat Noonan0000000000 37 MF Stanley Nyazamba0000000000
Clean sheets No. Name MLS MLS Playoffs U.S. Open Cup CONCACAF Champions League Total Games Played 1 William Hesmer7002927 25 Kenny Schoeni000001 30 Andy Gruenebaum1000111
Transfers
In Pos.PlayerTransferred fromFee/notesDateSource MF Alex Grendi Penn Quakers Drafted in round 2 of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Signed to a developmental contract. March 13, 2009 DF Eric Brunner New York Red Bulls Traded for a second round draft pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft March 18, 2009 MF Kevin Burns Columbus Crew Signed to a developmental contract. April 2, 2009 FW Emilio Renteria Caracas F.C. August 19, 2009 GK Kenny Schoeni Miami FC September 18, 2009
Out Pos.PlayerTransferred toFee/notesDateSource DF Ezra Hendrickson Retired January 8, 2009 MF Stefani Miglioranzi Los Angeles Galaxy Traded for a fourth round draft pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft January 9, 2009 GK Kenny Schoeni Miami FC Placed on waivers April 2, 2009 FW Pat Noonan Columbus Crew Traded for a first round draft pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft June 15, 2009 MF Stanley Nyazamba FC Tampa Bay Released July 10, 2009 FW Alejandro Moreno Philadelphia Union Drafted in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft November 25, 2009
MLS Draft picks
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in. The picks for the Columbus Crew are listed below: Round Pick Player Position College 230 Paul GerstenbergerDFBoston College345 Alex GrendiMFPenn460 Chris ClementsDFTulsa
Awards
MLS Player of the Week WeekPlayerOpponentLink 13 Guillermo Barros Schelotto Chivas USA 22 Chad Marshall FC Dallas
MLS Player of the Month MonthPlayerStatsLink June Guillermo Barros Schelotto 2 assists, 4 goals August Chad Marshall 2 goals, 3 shutouts
2009 MLS All-Star Game Starters DF Frankie Hejduk FW Guillermo Barros Schelotto
Postseason MLS Defender of the Year DF Chad Marshall MLS Best XI DF Chad Marshall
Crew Team Awards Most Valuable Player – Danny O'Rourke Defensive Player of the Year – Chad Marshall Scoring Champion – Guillermo Barros Schelotto Man of the Year – Brian Carroll Coach's Award – Eddie Gaven Newcomer of the Year – Eric Brunner Goal of the Year – Adam Moffat Humanitarian of the Year – Steven Lenhart Hardest Working Man of the Year – Gino Padula Comeback Player of the Year – Adam Moffat Fan's Choice – Eddie Gaven Jim Nelson Fan of the Year – Rick Thomas Academy U16 Player of the Year – Wil Trapp Academy U18 Player of the Year – Matt Wiet
References