Morning Afterthoughts: Better than Ever.

The Nordecke has never been bigger, and the Crew have never been better. Coincidence?

(phot0s courtesy Sam Fahmi)

You know, some of us just are not right in the head. Some of us wear the same clothes to every match because it's good luck. Some of us plan our social and work calendar around an MLS schedule. Some of us spend half our paychecks following this team. And after the Crew's first ever advancement to MLS Cup last night, some of uswere shedding tears of joy.

For those of you who may find the thought of a grown man crying over a soccer game, allow me to give you a proper introduction to the psychology. Do you recall your frame of mind after watching Brian McBride score in the 29th minute? Did the sick feeling creep into your stomach when McBride, of all pople, scored what could have been the dagger in an otherwise magical season? If so, you've felt on some level what it has been like to be a Crew fan these past 13 seasons. Because there is no team in MLS that has had as many great seasons go down the tubes because of a missed opportunity in a crucial game, often in ways that cause sane heads to be scratched. For brevity's sake, I won't recap them here, but as any longstanding Crew fans know, the Crew just don't win games like last night. In fact, for many of us, the last 30 minutes of the game were the longest 30 minutes of recorded human history. But they led to one of the greatest nights in Columbus history. And one of it's best parties.

I don't always record a Man of the Match, but today, I and thousands of other Massive Bananas owe a debt of gratitude to the man who made it happen last night:

CHAD MARSHALL

Even many of us were bemoaning the lack of fouls being called by referee Terry Vaughn, it became clear that Chad Marshall would have a very good night. Marshall is one of the most tactical defenders in MLS, and rarely gets whistled for fouls. Still, the penultimate matchup in last night's game was bound to be between Marshall and McBride, two players who are strong in the air. And if Marshall was going to win that battle, he was going to need to be physical.

To say he abused McBride is putting it nicely. Certainly McBride got a cheap goal on a broken play created by a heads-up quick throw in by Blanco; Hesmer and Danny O'Rourke didn't help matters by assuming the other would get to the ball as the aerial McBride did what he does best. But outside of that play, McBride was hardly a danger to the Crew, thanks to Marshall's hounding And how many times in the 2nd half did we see the familar sight of a ball going toward the Crew defense, only to be gobbled by Marshall or another Crew defender, and turned right back up the field for a counter attack? The credit for weathering that storm has to go to the outstanding defense played last night by everyone, but especially Marshall.

And, do I need to remind you who brought us all back from the pit of despair with his header? Watching Marshall's goal again in HD slow motion is a thing of beauty, and the way he used his entire body to fight off his defender in the air while letting his head do all the work was damn near poetic. In all honesty, it puts one in the mind of a former Crew player by the name of McBride, who happened to be the one Marshall burned on the play.

Speaking of McBride, it is now 5 times in an Eastern Conference Final without a trip to MLS Cup. Here's hoping that his wife who convinced him to play in Chicago instead of where he belonged gets a nice bit of silent treatment for the next few weeks from McBridesmaid, the MLS all-time league leader in playoff futility*.

But the best thing about last night's win? It showed a lot of us that the Crew can do it. The city was a buzz about the Crew, and you get the sense that in some pockets of Columbus, while the interest was legit, it was salted with the doubt of previous failures. Sure many were interested, but the thinking might have been to wonder if last night would turn out like it had all the other times. To any of you who doubted (including myself, even if just a little) I am happy to report that this is not the same old Crew. To quote the oft thrown about phrase on Big Soccer, "We're as surpirsed as you are." And as any one knows, the best parties are the surprise parties. Here's your invitation.

Other Notes:

- Could the atmosphere have gotten any better last night? It didn't matter that the stands were not completely filled. The crowd who was there, soccer moms included, were the noisiest S.O.B's I've ever been around. I hope Donny Garber took note of what a real fan section looks and sounds like. Lord knows the man has "ears to hear..."

- I was hugged/kissed/groped by no fewer than 50 people after last nights win, all of whom were as shocked as I was that the Crew had just advanced to MLS Cup. And again, it's not that we're shocked that this group of guys made it there; as we've seen all year, they're a hell of a good team. But it has always seemed Columbus was cursed when it comes to winning this type of game, and last night, all of us doubters finally could put those fears to bed. It was like an Amish person being taken to Vegas in a Cadillac Escalade; we didn't know how to act, so we just stood there, with mouths wide open, staring into the vacant distance.

- There was a ton of good signage last night, and I hope we see more of the trend next season. The "Wanted. McBride. Desertion." banner was gorgeous, as were all the others. I particularly liked the banner about keeping Columbus clean, and taking out the garbage (if you missed it, Blanco called the Fire fans garbage earlier this year after a game.) We need more of that stuff, people!

- In my ongoing war with my buddy over who is better, Gaven or Evans, I received ultimate vindication last night when Eddie scored the winner. It was also just as sweet to see the man who has had so many dark days behind him at Crew Stadium get a standing ovation as he left the pitch last night. He is a runner up for me on the Man of the Match. Also, 30 seconds before he scored the goal, my brother was telling me, "We really need to take Gaven out." This comes after early in last week's game, my brother said a full-on prayer asking Jesus to allow us to score a goal soon. As soon as the words "Amen" were out of his mouth, Carroll-to-Evans-past-Hartman happened. I think both of those should count as second assists for him.

- In the tent after the game last night, there was some New England Revolution fan crowing about going to L.A. Did anyone else see this, or was I drunk?

- Since I can't leave well enough alone, I'll ask: Can the Dispatch please give us a season recap/MLS Cup preview with s special pullout section next weekend? Would that be too much to ask? They've done a fantastic job covering the Crew, but I just want a little more, please. Thanks.

In other media related news, kudos go out to 1460 The Fan, who I have often besmirched for not talking about the Crew, for finally talking about the Crew yesterday. I'll be interested in what they are saying today, as I believe some of the hosts went to the game. Also, I heard Mark the Shark on 103.9 Talk FM was giving the Crew some love, but can neither confirm nor deny this. If so, fantastic.

- In case you need some help on the travel sites, Columbus's airport abbreviation is "CMH", and Los Angeles' airport is "LAX". If you want to fly over to Chicago just to rub anything in their faces, the airport there is "SUX".

- To all the Fire fans at the game last night: It's great you brought so many flags, really. No, that was a lot of fun. Hopefully, they helped wipe away all your tears on the ride home last night. Blues Brothers indeed.

- For a final thought on this one, I'll simply let the Man of the Match, Mr. Chad Marshall, tell us what he told Craig Mertz of mlsnet.com:

"I was the happiest I've ever been. I just told somebody that," he said. "I just started running. I don't know why. It was awesome. It's been fun for me."

I don't think anyone could have said it better.

(*fact courtesy of my burgeoning contempt for McBride not playing for the Black and Gold, and not based on any actual facts.)

Never a McBride.

Sorry, I hid all the eye bleach...


Diehard fans of the Columbus Crew have a lot of nicknames for former number one man and current enemy number one, Brian McBride. To name a few -

- McHead
- BMB
- Bake
- McJudas

That last one comes courtesy of Mr. McBride's decision to spurn Columbus (that fair city on a hill), for Chicago, not only a city of mobsters, corrupt politicos, and 97 mile traffic backups, but also the home of one of the Columbus Crew's arch enemies, the Chicago Fire.

Uggh...hang on...

(MPBGHRRRRRPH!)

Sorry. Just typing those two words together in a non-historical context makes me throw up in my mouth. I don't recall eating any fish today. Curious. Anyway...

So if you've not been sufficiently caught up, McJudas came back from England, ignored Columbus' phone calls (or as his agent says, his cell phone was broken. Ooops. I'm sure it would have been working if Larissa F.C. was calling), and signed with the bad guys. The very same bad guys who come to Columbus for the Eastern Conference Finals tonight. To be sure, McBride has a high probability to gain a few nicknames from the fans during the game, based on the way he plays. Whichever way the game goes though, I can guarantee I can't print most of the things he will be called tonight.

However, if McBride and the Fire become a part of the trend that is the Crew defeating opponents at home in 2008, it will mark the fifth time in McBride's storied career that he has gotten to the doorstep of MLS Cup, knocked on the door, and been told, "Hey, sorry buddy, we're all full tonight. Try back later..."

Some will quickly point out that on all four previous occasions, McBride was a Columbus Crew cat, and did all he could to get the Crew over the hump. In fact, some will argue since McBride went on to England and had a successful stint at Fulham (or F.C. U.S.A.), it's highly probable that the Crew teams lost in spite of McBride, not because of him. All of these points are valid, fair, and well-reasoned. But there is one glaring fact that cannot be ignored if the Fire loses: a trend will have emerged. Brian McBride, during a period of time that has extended over 12 seasons and 5 professional teams, will have yet to play in a league championship game.

Maybe instead of McBride, we should call him "McBridesmaid."

I know, I know, chickens have not hatched, horses don't go in front of carts, and the "Jump" to Conclusions Mat (TM) should never be brought out before the fat lady starts warming up. Still, there's a good chance that the common thread of all the Crew losses in the Eastern Conference Finals can be traced back to one guy. And that guy, for right or wrong, isn't going to be on the field tonight for the Crew.

In all honesty, would you want him?

Look, I will be the first in line to welcome McBridesmaid back once he takes off the Best Buy jersey, and goes into the hall wearing a Columbus Crew Adidas Skully. But he's not right for this team. He would clog up the middle for Guillermo, a guy who knows a thing about championships. He would get in the way of Alejandro Moreno, one of the best holding forwards playing on U.S. soil (plus, coaches would have a hard time telling them both to stop trying to "outwork" each other). The Crew is finally playing the ball on the ground; Bake does his best work in the air. The Crew has a group of guys who know that no one person is any more important than the rest of the team. Sure, BMB knows that better than anyone, but would guys like Brad Evans and Robbie Rogers have been intimidated about playing in the shadow of the MLS poster child and EPL veteran? Maybe. Would the Crew be better off with McBride back in the fold? If the chemistry the team has is any indication, probably not. He's not a bad guy; he's just not one of the guys who everyone doubted.

But ladies and gentleman, tonight, Brian McBride IS walking through that door. Only he's walking in with the enemy. The Crew are looking at a chance to rid themselves of 12 seasons of failed aspirations by making this 13th season the one to remember. And they can do it against the guy we'd all rather just forget.

Piss on the Fire, and let’s go Crew.

(And if the Crew prevails, I will be making "McBridesmaid" t-shirts for everyone.)

Morning Afterthoughts: Crew Clinch the Supporter's Shield

The Crew facepalmed the rest of the league on Sunday.

Many times, the best moments in life are the ones that tie together just enough pieces of life to make the event special. The Kodak moment, with sun hitting on your face just at the precise moment that the wind picks up ever so slighty, is often hard to come by, and even harder to script. It's for that reason that the movie industry makes so much money; everyone wants to see the storybook ending, but not everyone gets one.

It's not often that life works out to be poetic. But Sunday afternoon and evening was one of those days for Crew fans. With the exception that the Crew did not defeat arch-rivals Chicago, more than 200 Crew fans witnessed a picture-perfect scene as the Crew drew 2-2 with the Fire to gain one point more than anyone else in Major League Soccer can this year. It is the first time since 2004 that the Crew have gained possession of the honor. The Crew also become the 3rd team in league history to hoist the trophy more than once, joining the L.A. Galaxy as the other two time winner. D.C. United has won it four times.

Even better than that, the Crew are the first multi-time winner of the Supporter's Shield to not have a city name that is commonly abbreviated (unless you listen to Jim Rome).

The Supporter's Shield was won by the Crew's dogged determination, and Guillermo Barros Schelotto's goal proved to be the point-getter the Crew needed to lock up their second piece of hardware this season. Besides the facts that the league's best supporters showed up en masse to see the team clinch the Supporter's Shield, and that the league's probable MVP scored the goal that sewed it up for the Crew, consider these other coincidences that make for interesting thought:

* The Crew beat the current team of Brian McBride, who got to see up close and personal what he's missing by not playing for his old team.

* The only player who could seem to beat the Crew defense today is the guy who leads the team all-time in goals scrored.

* With the Crew's tie, they needed the Houston Dynamo to tie or lose to clinch. The team that helped the Crew to that end? None other than one team more responsible than any other in the league for causing the Crew undue misery over the years: D.C. United.

* The keeper who was bested by the Crew today? Former Crew keeper John Busch.

* The Crew clinched just hours before Columbus Day.

The team played admirably, although at times, it seemed as if they were conserving energy. Both goals conceded to Chicago were soft, but seeing as how Chicago blew some well earned chances, the game probably saw a fair result in the end. Still, both Columbus goals were class, and it looks as though whenever the Crew have their heads in the game, they will not be beaten.

The Supporter's Shield is officially handed over at the Supporter's Summit at MLS Cup every year, but in the spirit of Kodak moments, that game just happens to be against the team that currently holds the trophy, D.C. United. Seeing as how they've already done us one favor, I don't suppose it's too much to ask for them to drop it off early. After all, it's not like they're using it...

Other Notes:

- Me and my brother and my brother's wife all decided to check out the official away game headquarters of the Crew, Brewskie's Sports Bar on Kenny Road. Unfortunately, we picked the one week of the year that the game was on Telefutura, a channel the bar didn't have. Although the game was also carried locally on ONN, the bar did not have that channel either, as it is only available as part of Time Warner's digital package, which the bar did not have. So where did we have to go to watch the game?

Buffalo Wild Wings on Bethel, the former home of the Crew away game viewing parties until the location switched to Brewskie's this season. Yep, seems as though no matter how much things change, they still remain the same. Lesson, as always? Go to Ruby Tuesday's on Summit and 19th for the game.

- Frankie Hejduk gets some international acclaim from this piece in London's Daily Telegraph. The article doesn't seem to think that being an everyman who gets down with his most fervent fans is such a good thing. Then again, maybe the Brits could use a guy like Frankie to qualify for an international qualifier or two...

- Kudos are due and given to Big Soccer and Ruby Tuesdays-frequenter Chris Deville, who aside from being an alright dude, also works for the Columbus Alive newspaper. His employer is pretty high on the Crew this week including stories here, here, here, and...(whew)...here. Also, the print editions of the paper have one Robbie Rogers in full-speed attack on the cover, along with the catchphrase "Massive" in bold. These papers are free, and readily available around Columbus. I grabbed 20 copies...

- Finally, congrats to the Blue Jackets, who won their first game of the season 5-4 on a Rick Nash overtime-winner. Yes, they lost the following night against the Phoenix Coyotes, but the Jackets have a very solid team this year. Should be fun to watch, kinda like the Crew.