Brad Evans spent only two seasons in Columbus at the very beginning of his career. The first was a forgettable, injury-marred four-appearance campaign. The second resulted in a Supporters' Shield and an MLS Cup title. Then it was off to Seattle in the expansion draft, where over the course of nine season, he won another … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Brad Evans

In the early days of the #SaveTheCrew movement, Danny O'Rourke was one of the first Crew alums to sit down with me and have a lengthy discussion about what Columbus and the Crew meant to him. O'Rourke is a Worthington native who won a state championship with Worthington Kilbourne at MAPFRE Stadium, an NCAA championship … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Danny O’Rourke

Dominic Oduro's former twitter handle said it all: @freakyfast8. (He's now using his name, @DomOduro, but I will always remember his original handle.) Oduro used that eye-popping quickness to lead the Columbus Crew with 13 goals in 2013. He scored a few goals that year due to what I'd dubbed Grand Theft Oduro, where he … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Dominic Oduro

Todd Yeagley was a Crew original who spent his entire seven-year career with Columbus. He was part of the Indiana University pipeline in the inaugural season that included the likes of Brian Maisonneuve, Mike Clark, Brandon Ward, and the club's first GM, Jamey Rootes. Following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Yeagley is now … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Todd Yeagley

From 2011-2016, Tony Tchani was a powerful presence in the center of the Crew's midfield. Or as my friend Scot always refers to him, "Midfield Boss Tony Tchani." He had his best year in Columbus in 2015, when he not only physically dominated opponents, but also scored five goals and dished six assists for the … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Tony Tchani

Mike Lapper was part of the Columbus Crew for 17 seasons as a payer (1997-2002), front office member (2003-2005), and an assistant coach (2006-2013.) Off the top of my head, that means he trails only Dr. Pete Edwards, Dwight Burgess, Robert Warzycha, and former front office member Paul Howard in terms of overall employment longevity … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Mike Lapper

Before we get to the #SavedTheCrew portion of the proceedings, a happy little preamble. Michael Parkhurst ushered in the Gregg Berhalter era as captain of the Crew from 2014-2016. He was an MLS All-Star in 2014 and captained the 2015 Eastern Conference championship squad that lost a heartbreaking MLS Cup to the Portland Timbers. Then … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Michael Parkhurst

Tom Presthus won the 1999 MLS Cup with D.C. United, but he has been making it up to Columbus ever since. He spent 2000-2003 playing for the Crew, including being a member of the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship squad, and has stayed in Central Ohio with his wife, Melissa, and their three … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Tom Presthus

William Hesmer holds most of the significant goalkeeping records in Columbus Crew history. He is an MLS Cup champion. He is a stoppage time goalscorer in Toronto at the apex of #LOLTFC. He once rehabbed a major injury by taking an internship at a local investment firm to kickstart his post-soccer career as a financial … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: William Hesmer

Known for his shootout success and the horror movie sobriquet "Chucky" that was bestowed on him by teammate Adrian Paz, goalkeeper David Winner played for Columbus from 1996-1998. The Crew's relocation saga had a unique twist for Winner as he lived in Austin for ten years before moving back to Columbus five years ago, where … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: David Winner