As I work on more pieces, here's yet another batch of alumni call/text/email reactions to the Crew's three-goal destruction of the defending champion Seattle Sounders. Some of these are edited down from much longer conversations. ROBERT WARZYCHA (1996-2002, assistant coach 2002-2008, head coach 2005, 2009-2013) "The Crew really played well. Zelarayan was great. He’s always … Continue reading MLS Cup 2020: Crew Alumni Reactions, Pt 3
Sports
MLS Cup 2020: People I’m Happy Were There– Andy Zartman
Instead of wallowing over the fact that I could not attend MLS Cup 2020 for multiple important reasons, I have turned part of my focus toward telling the stories of some of the people I am happy could be there in person. First up was Savannah Bee, and her tale of Crew fandom which had … Continue reading MLS Cup 2020: People I’m Happy Were There– Andy Zartman
MLS Cup 2020: Crew Alumni Reactions, Pt. 2
Another batch of alumni reactions from all the calls, texts, and emails that followed the Crew's 3-0 stomping of the Seattle Sounders in MLS Cup 2020. Some of these are condensed versions of much longer conversations. TONY TCHANI (2011-2017) "I think it was a good game and the boys played well. I couldn’t have been … Continue reading MLS Cup 2020: Crew Alumni Reactions, Pt. 2
MLS Cup 2020: People I’m Happy Were There– Savannah Bee
I, like most Crew fans, had to watch MLS Cup 2020 on TV due to the pandemic. It was difficult not to be there and bittersweet to watch the joy unfold so far out of reach via images beamed into my living room 146 miles away. In an effort to turn that around, I decided … Continue reading MLS Cup 2020: People I’m Happy Were There– Savannah Bee
MLS Cup 2020: Crew Alumni Reactions, Pt 1
Hey Crew fans! One of the many great things about the Columbus Crew winning MLS Cup is that it can bring 25 years of history together. From Sunday until now, I've heard from dozens of Crew alums via text, email, or telephone and I anticipate more to come. Everyone is so excited to see a … Continue reading MLS Cup 2020: Crew Alumni Reactions, Pt 1
Crew’s Woes Familiar…But Possibly Legendary
When the shocking news broke Thursday evening that the Columbus Crew would be without the services of top-tier contributors Darlington Nagbe and Pedro Santos due to positive COVID-19 tests, many Ohio sports fans surely experienced a heavy dose of déjà vu. Sure, the specific circumstance of their absences is unique to these strange pandemic times, … Continue reading Crew’s Woes Familiar…But Possibly Legendary
A Crew Win Would Be Great for the Present…and the Past
Today’s Eastern Conference Final between the Columbus Crew and New England Revolution highlights an interesting dichotomy. Professional athletes need to have short memories. They focus on the task at hand, which is of the utmost importance to them. Fans, meanwhile, have long, institutional memories. For them, games may have years of additional emotional meaning beyond … Continue reading A Crew Win Would Be Great for the Present…and the Past
Hardest and Easiest Paths to MLS Cup Glory
With the Crew, Covid-willing, set to face the New England Revolution in Sunday’s Eastern Conference Final, it dawned on me that Columbus will have faced the conference’s number six, seven, and eight seeds on their way to a potential MLS Cup berth. All three teams finished at 1.39 points per game in 2020. It made … Continue reading Hardest and Easiest Paths to MLS Cup Glory
Crew and Indians: Something From Nothing
In this surreal sports summer, which, among other things, has featured Columbus Blue Jackets playoff games in August, there has been an uncanny convergence with my two traditional summer sports teams. Both the Columbus Crew and Cleveland Indians sit in first place with the best defenses in their respective leagues. For the Crew and the … Continue reading Crew and Indians: Something From Nothing
Cleveland’s New Baseball Name
On Friday, the Cleveland Indians announced they would be looking into the future of the team’s name. They surely wouldn’t have brought it up themselves if they weren’t already prepared to make it happen. Reading the current moment in our nation’s history, they seemed to be laying the groundwork for a change while mentally preparing … Continue reading Cleveland’s New Baseball Name
