Crew earns trip to first MLS Cup
By Tom Holdren, Columbus Wired Contributor, Photos by Dave Weissman (Columbus Wired)

“ _______ on Fire…” Fill in the blank and you’ve got one of the numerous chants coming from the Nordeke corner of fans the entire ninety-plus minutes Thursday night. The Crew responded in an extremely fast-paced 2-1 Eastern Conference Championship victory over the visiting Chicago Fire.

Approximately 15,000 showed up for the, ESPN2 Primetime event helping fuel the Crew’s own fire.

Defensive captain Frankie Hejduk took a moment after the game to thank the fans for the win and for the superb season. “The atmosphere was second-to-none. They’ve been behind us the whole year,” he said.

The game itself was arguably one of the best of the MLS season and seemed to have more twists and sub-plots than a soap opera.

First, it was Brian McBride’s first trip back to Columbus since playing for the Crew (and virtually “making” them) in 2003.

The Nordeke countered Chicago’s recent acquisition with a monstrous wanted poster of McBride’s mug-shot and the caption “TREASON” written beneath. Every McBride touch was followed with tremendous chirping of the boo-birds.

McBride didn’t seem to sweat the heat, and found solace in his teams early striking “The fans can react however they want.”

It was the Fire who would seemingly to get the last laugh. Chicago was hitting on all cylinders, making the Crew look slow and flat-footed as they danced their way to Crew keeper William Hesmer’s net time and time again.

The Fire managed three open shots-on-goal before a quick throw in to midfielder Justin Mapp, turned into a perfect service for a McBride header into the net at 29’ putting the visitors atop 1-0.

McBride seemed to pick up where he left off the last time he faced Columbus. During the previous Fire-Crew saga, the second of two matches coming to a 2-2 draw, McBride tallied both marks.

The final 15 minutes of the first half saw both teams full-heartedly attacking. It was an extremely aggressive game of soccer. The Crew had multiple opportunities to tie but consistently mishandled “gifts” from MVP candidate Guillermo Schelotto dinged off the posts, sailed wide, or were stopped by former Crew keeper, and MLS Keeper of the Year, Jon Busch to sustain the 1-0 advantage.

The second half the Crew did what they have done all year long; come back. Columbus has rallied from a 1-0 deficit 11 times this year; the Eastern Conference Finals were no different.

The furious pace continued the way it left off and both teams were still in attack-mode. But this half the Crew would finish what Schelotto started.

A personal foul on Chicago put the Crew in a perfect opportunity to get back in. Schelotto took the free kick from the right side at 25 yards.

The chip was perfect, like almost all Guillermo’s touches Thursday, and found a leaping Chad Marshall, who rose up over McBride and headed in the 1-1 equalizer at 49’.

Columbus wasn’t finished.

Before the 15,000 could sit back down Schelotto had the Crew on the attack again. He played a high bouncing ball off his head to forward Alejandro Moreno. Moreno then flicked it (headed it) over the Fire defense to a cutting Eddie Gaven.

Gaven collected the volley in-stride and blasted a right-footer past Busch who couldn’t even make an attempt at a save. The 2-1 goal by Gaven proved to be the game winner.

The Crew, who are making their first MLS Cup appearance, will play the Western Conference Final Champion, New York or Real Salt Lake, next Sunday at 3:30 (ABC) in California.

Thursday’s home finale capped the best season in Crew history. Crew coach Sigi Schmid was named “Coach of the Year,” Chad Marshall “Defender of the Year,” Supporter Shield (most points in season) recipient, and possible MVP in Schelotto.

The final task is winning the MLS Cup. And according to Sigi Schmid, “The guys are very happy, but our work is not done”