Sigmund's Legacy

Last year, many soccer insiders were impressed that the Crew were able to snag Guillermo Barros Schelotto from Argentine first-division giants Boaca Juniors. The credit for that deal getting done lies with the Crew front office, and most notably, Sigi Schmid, the coach who was brought in to bring professionalism and class to the organization. It is believed that his massive network of soccer contacts were used to set up the meetings with GBS that ultimately brought him to the Crew.

But as positive a reflection as that deal represents on Sigi's legacy, there is an an equally-sized stain on the coach's legend with Crew fans. And it involves a player named Andy Herron.



Herron was aquired from Chicago last year in exchange for the Crew's first round pick in the draft, which was the number 2 overall selection. The Chicago Fire drafted Bakary Soumare with that pick. Herron went on to score a few goals for the Crew, but never ended up making a dent in the rotation because he had trouble with

A.) Injuries
B.) Red cards (see picture above)

While I personally liked the guy, he never stuck with Sigi, and eventually ended up being a healthy scratch. This didn't sit well with Herron, and the chasm between he and Fearless Leader deepened. Eventually, the Crew sent Herron on his way to play for Puntarenas FC. Meanwhile, they traded his domestic rights back to Chicago for a 4th round draft pick in 2010.

Then, things get interesting. The Fire re-signed Herron to a domestic contract.

That means at the end of the day, the Fire traded Andy Herron for Andy Herron and Bakary Soumare. The Crew meanwhile are left with a draft pick in 2010. So, not next year, but the year after that, we might get some NAIA forward who sucks.

The mere fact that the Crew bungled this deal is more than enough to convict a front office who has put together a team that has failed to make the playoffs three years in a row (remember, in MLS, eight out of the thirteen teams made the playoffs last year, so fewer teams missed them than made them). But the fact that they bungled a deal that heavily favored towards not just any team, but one of the Crew's arch-rivals? Unconscionable.

I am now more sure than ever that Sigi the Blimp, Mark McCullers, and Hunt Sports Group are wrong for this team. They have had their time, and they have squandered it. This is not to say that one of them might not work better seperately of the others (Honestly, I think Sigi would be better off without Mark, and definitely better off with a more willing holder of the purse strings). But if the Crew are ever to move forward, it cannot be with the current infrastructure. Many of you feel the same way I do, but could easily be persuaded to buy back in if the Crew were to pick up a DP, or roll off five straight wins to start the season.

Not me. Until we see a cup, I will not be convinced that the McCullers/Sigi/HSG marriage is a good one.