Columbus Crew are officially the first MLS team in history. They haven’t gone on to be the most successful, but they have definitely won their fair share of silverware.
Helping them reach these achievements have been hundreds of players, some long standing names on the team sheet, others more fleeting. All played their part, but there are a few who will be remembered long after they have gone. These are the Columbus Crew Legends. Players fans will never forget.
Many players will be left out of this list. Not because they weren’t fantastic signings for Columbus Crew, but because I am only talking about a select few. Those who served the Crew well for a long time and/or achieved great things.
For example, players like Stern John will be fondly remembered by fans of the black and gold. He is still their only Golden Boot winner and scored more goals per game (0.79) than anyone. But with only 2 seasons at the club and no silverware it’s hard to consider him a legend.
Mike Clark is another who deserves deep respect, having served the club for 8 seasons from their very first to 2003, even winning the US Open Cup. But his achievements came when the league was only 10 teams strong, and the Crew weren’t exactly setting the world on fire at that time.
So many players are left out not because of any disrespect, but because others have achieved more or had a bigger impact.
Eddie Gaven
Eddie Gaven may not have been the flashiest player in the world, but his professionalism, work ethic, versatility and team oriented mentality make him a symbol of what it means to be Columbus Crew.
As a player, the word ‘dependable’ probably describes Gaven best. He played in midfield, contributing to every stage of defensive and attacking play. He was technically sound, with excellent ball control and intelligent movement off the ball. He preferred to play on the right but could fill gaps as necessary making him indispensable to the two coaches he played for.
His career was cut short by an injury in 2013, forcing him out of the game aged 27. His career was only a decade long but he spent most of it at Columbus Crew. He was part of their 2008 MLS Cup winning squad, their Golden Era, and also won the Supporter’s Shield that year and the following year too.
Gaven played over 200 times for the Crew. He was a low key player who rarely hit the headlines, but you would certainly notice a difference when he wasn’t in the team. Although that didn’t happen often.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto
Guillermo Barros Schelotto may not have been at the club as long as the other people on this list, but his impact is undeniable. He was the Crew’s first ever designated player and boy did he set the bar high.
He could play as a forward, an attacking midfielder, or on the wing, and during his four seasons at Columbus Crew, he made 118 appearances, scored 38 goals, and won the MLS Cup and two Supporter’s Shields. The Crew also finished runners-up in the US Open Cup during his time, plus, he was their top scorer in two of those four seasons.
A creative and technically gifted playmaker, Guillermo was also well known for delivering in big games or at key moments. He was the team’s engine in attacking play, able to cut through a defence with incredibly accurate passes, creating even more goals than he scored.
Schelotto instantly won fans over with his skill, his winning mentality, his composure on the ball and some deadly free kicks. He has been a fan favourite ever since – you still sometimes hear his name being sung in the stands.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that he lit the place up during his relatively short time at the club. He had a transformative impact that lasted long after he left, displaying a style of football team mates and youth team players would admire and learn from.
Chad Marshall
This guy doesn’t always get the respect he deserves.
Chad Marshall was one of the greatest defenders in MLS history, as proved by the fact he was voted MLS Defender of the Year in 2008 and 2009, as well as in 2014 the year he left Columbus Crew.
A solid performer at centre back, Marshall read the game incredibly well and used his strength to muscle opponents off the ball and win aerial duels. Standing 6ft 4′ he was an imposing figure, and his composure in one on one situation saved Columbus Crew on countless occasions with well timed interceptions putting a halt on counter attacks. He was usually worth a couple of goals per season too.
Fans and team mates felt reassured by his quiet yet commanding presence, coupled with his consistency. It felt like Marshall had been in the back line forever, he was the anchor of Columbus’ defence, a real leader of the team.
Chad donned the yellow and black jersey for 10 years and a record 272 appearances before moving on, helping the club achieve 3 Supporter’s Shields and an MLS Cup. A record he shares with Frankie Hejduk. He was integral in establishing the club’s reputation as a tough squad that were difficult to beat.
There is a reason their most successful period in MLS is when Chad Marshall was defending their goal.
Frankie Hejduk
Everyone loves Frankie Hejduk. His connection with Columbus fans was something special.
Hejduk was renowned for his boundless energy, tireless work rate, and ability to bomb up and down the right flank with that long hair of his billowing behind him. Honestly, his fitness levels were something else.
He was equally effective in defence and attack, combining speed, stamina, and physicality with a fiery competitive spirit. Tenacity and commitment showed in everything he did, and he brought lots of positivity onto the pitch too. This made him an ideal team captain, a role he excelled in for many years.
All of this helped Frankie Hejduk become the joint most successful player in Columbus Crew history in terms of trophies won. He was there for the 2008 MLS Cup win (he also scored the goal that put the game to bed), as well as winning the Supporter’s Shield in 2004, 2008, and 2009. He played for the USA 85 times too, representing Columbus Crew well on the international stage.
After retiring, Hejduk re-joined the Crew in an ambassador role, and still works there today in Strategic Partnerships.
Frankie is a club icon. He obviously loves the club, and the club loves him right back.
Brian McBride
No one else was going to be in the top spot, were they?
Brian McBride is not just a legend of Columbus Crew, but of Major League Soccer period.
He was an original team member when the club was formed, and incidentally the first overall pick in the MLS draft. Playing for the Crew for 8 seasons between 1996 and 2003, McBride made 195 appearances for the club scoring 77 goals – a club record to this day. He left before the Crew started winning trophies, although he did bag himself a US Open Cup and a CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002. He obviously left them in good shape too, because they went on to win the Supporter’s Shield the year after he went to play in the UK.
As a player, Brian McBride was known for his physicality and aerial ability among other things. He was a powerful forward who could get himself into excellent positions and fight through a defence. He was able to play as a target man or a poacher, and while he wasn’t always a prolific goal scorer from one season to the next, he was always involved.
On a personal level, he was a five time MLS All Star, a CONCACAF Gold Cup most valuable player, and a goal of the year winner in 1998 for this:
The guy was basically the face of Columbus Crew in the early days, certainly their first true superstar.