The Columbus Crew defeated the New York Red Bulls 3–1 on Sunday at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. to win the MLS Cup. The Crew put an end to the Red Bulls’ unlikely dream of winning the MLS Cup (Philip F. Anschutz trophy) after their Cinderella run to the final saw them upset Houston and Real Salt Lake.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto was the most valuable player in MLS this past season and he put on a display worth of such an honor on Sunday. He set up all three Columbus goals including a perfect lob-pass that would make the likes of Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi jealous.
Columbus was heavily favored to win the MLS Cup as they were unquestionably the best team in MLS this season with a 17–7–6 record. New York put together an amazing run in the playoffs after a 10–11–9 regular season record.
While the 35-year-old Argentine Barros Schelotto was the season’s MVP, New York’s Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel has been the league’s best goal scorer over the past two years. The outcome of the game would be determined by which of the team’s superstar has the better game.
New York started promisingly by taking the game to Columbus. On the left wing, Dave Van den Bergh made a few dangerous crosses but the strikers were unable to finish.
Columbus started slowly but got the first break as Alejandro Moreno fired a low drive just inside the far post past New York-born goalkeeper Danny Cepero. The goal came in the 31st minute against the run of play. In truth, Cepero could have done better on the shot.
In the second half the teams traded goals in a two-minute time span. John Wolyniec tied the game for the Red Bulls but Chad Marshall restored the Crew’s advantage.
The Crew almost made it three when Barros Schelotto chipped a shot off the cross bar in the 77th minute after a long run by Moreno.
Late in the second half, 34-year-old full back Frankie Hejduk headed Barros Schelotto’s exquisite lob pass past Cepero to seal the deal.
“I believe in myself always. It’s never happened [winning the MLS Cup]. Been in MLS nine years, never happened,” exclaimed Hejduk at the trophy presentation ceremony.
He described the special team chemistry the Crew has. “We’re one happy family. We all hang out together. We all love each other. This one’s for you Columbus.”
Barros Schelotto has had much success in his native Argentina and he told ABC after the game where this championship ranks, “Each one is so individual, so special. This one is right up there with all of them.”
Columbus capped a dominant MLS season by winning the league, MLS Cup, coach of the year for Sigi Schmid, MVP for Barros Schelotto, and defender of the year for Chad Marshall.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto was the most valuable player in MLS this past season and he put on a display worth of such an honor on Sunday. He set up all three Columbus goals including a perfect lob-pass that would make the likes of Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi jealous.
Columbus was heavily favored to win the MLS Cup as they were unquestionably the best team in MLS this season with a 17–7–6 record. New York put together an amazing run in the playoffs after a 10–11–9 regular season record.
While the 35-year-old Argentine Barros Schelotto was the season’s MVP, New York’s Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel has been the league’s best goal scorer over the past two years. The outcome of the game would be determined by which of the team’s superstar has the better game.
New York started promisingly by taking the game to Columbus. On the left wing, Dave Van den Bergh made a few dangerous crosses but the strikers were unable to finish.
Columbus started slowly but got the first break as Alejandro Moreno fired a low drive just inside the far post past New York-born goalkeeper Danny Cepero. The goal came in the 31st minute against the run of play. In truth, Cepero could have done better on the shot.
In the second half the teams traded goals in a two-minute time span. John Wolyniec tied the game for the Red Bulls but Chad Marshall restored the Crew’s advantage.
The Crew almost made it three when Barros Schelotto chipped a shot off the cross bar in the 77th minute after a long run by Moreno.
Late in the second half, 34-year-old full back Frankie Hejduk headed Barros Schelotto’s exquisite lob pass past Cepero to seal the deal.
“I believe in myself always. It’s never happened [winning the MLS Cup]. Been in MLS nine years, never happened,” exclaimed Hejduk at the trophy presentation ceremony.
He described the special team chemistry the Crew has. “We’re one happy family. We all hang out together. We all love each other. This one’s for you Columbus.”
Barros Schelotto has had much success in his native Argentina and he told ABC after the game where this championship ranks, “Each one is so individual, so special. This one is right up there with all of them.”
Columbus capped a dominant MLS season by winning the league, MLS Cup, coach of the year for Sigi Schmid, MVP for Barros Schelotto, and defender of the year for Chad Marshall.
Friends Read Free