Shortly after arriving at Lower.com Field for the first time since the groundbreaking ceremony on October 10, 2019, I checked out the new Circle of Honor display at the northwest corner of the stadium’s exterior. That’s where I ran into one its inductees. Crew legend Frankie Hejduk, captain of the 2008 MLS Cup champions, radiated … Continue reading The House Columbus Built
#SaveTheCrew
Save The Crew: The Battle for Columbus
Three-and-a-half years ago, Sean Kelly invited me to dinner and told me of his moral compulsion to document the fight to save the Crew. Born in England and primarily based out of San Diego, Kelly had fallen for a Columbus girl a few years earlier, then subsequently fell for the city’s soccer team. Despite being … Continue reading Save The Crew: The Battle for Columbus
The De-Brand Debacle: It’s Time to Re-Respect Our Roots
I took no joy in writing that De-Branding the Crew piece earlier this week. I much prefer fun to glum. I did, however, need to get my own thoughts on paper and maybe try to give voice to those who felt the same way but didn’t know how to convey it without, like, ripping off … Continue reading The De-Brand Debacle: It’s Time to Re-Respect Our Roots
De-Branding the Crew
On Saturday, the Columbus Crew benefitted from a pair of own goals to pick up a big win. That was on the field. Off the field, the club was preparing to launch an epic own-goal of its own and take a big loss, as word leaked out about a disastrous rebrand that would remove the … Continue reading De-Branding the Crew
Q & A: Pete McGinty, Author of “Accidental Heroes”
In advance of the publication of his first book, Accidental Heroes: The Grassroots Movement That Helped Save the Columbus Crew, I spoke in-depth with author Pete McGinty about the project. In addition to this conversation, you can also read my review of the book itself by clicking HERE. Many Crew fans may not be familiar … Continue reading Q & A: Pete McGinty, Author of “Accidental Heroes”
Book Review: “Accidental Heroes” by Pete McGinty
The number of stories to be told about the callous, queso-fueled quest to steal the Columbus Crew away to Austin TX could fill a library. We now have a worthy first entry in the catalog: Pete McGinty’s Accidental Heroes: The Grassroots Movement That Helped Save the Columbus Crew. Rather than dwell on the treacherous machinations … Continue reading Book Review: “Accidental Heroes” by Pete McGinty
Dueling 61s: A Look at Warzycha & Higuian
On Saturday night, Federico Higuain tied Robert Warzycha's Columbus Crew record for career assists in league play, so in addition to the story I wrote, I thought it would be fun to jointly celebrate the two Crew legends by looking at their shared record while it is still shared.First, some basics. WARZYCHAHIGUAINAssists6161First assist9/22/1996 at TB(Paul Caligiuri) 8/19/2012 … Continue reading Dueling 61s: A Look at Warzycha & Higuian
A Crewsmas Story (2019)
On September 12, 1999, I drove up to Cleveland following that afternoon’s Crew game to personally witness the return of the Cleveland Browns following the original incarnation’s relocation to Baltimore. They lost to the hated Pittsburgh Steelers 43-0. It was still a happy night. After three years without football in one of the NFL’s most … Continue reading A Crewsmas Story (2019)
#SavedTheCrew Reaction: Tim Bezbatchenko
New Crew President Tim Bezbatchenko is a Westerville native whose family has been Crew season ticket members since 1996. After building an MLS Cup champion in Toronto, "Bez" has returned home to oversee the rejuvenation of his beloved Crew under committed local ownership. What follows, in Q &A format, are some highlights from our conversation … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Tim Bezbatchenko
#SavedTheCrew Reaction: Federico Higuain
Federico Higuain came to Columbus in 2012 and has been the playmaking focal point of the team for seven seasons and counting. He is the only member of the 50/50 club in Crew history, tallying 54 goals and 58 assists heading into 2019. At 34, there is still a chance that with another healthy season … Continue reading #SavedTheCrew Reaction: Federico Higuain
Sirkbook.com 