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| Friday, September 14, 2001 24:14 EST |
Columbus Crew: 2001 Outlook
[ESPN.com news services]
The Crew look to put a disappointing 2000 campaign in the past and once again bring MLS Cup playoff action back to America's first major league soccer-specific stadium. With MLS Cup 2001 being played at Crew Stadium on October 21, there will be great incentive to make this "their year".
Brian McBride hasn't played for the U.S. since February. |
The Crew fell short of the postseason a year ago, due in part to a defense that allowed 58 goals in 32 games. Columbus made several moves in the offseason designed to shore up the back, adding Ugandan international defender Tenywa Bonseu as an allocation and veteran goalkeeper Tom Presthus from D.C. United. A return to health for striker Brian McBride, midfielder Brian Maisonneuve and defender Ansil Elcock will also boost the Crew's chances in 2001.
Speedsters Brian West and Jeff Cunningham will be looked upon to add to the attack, which was led primarily by veterans Dante Washington and Robert Warzycha in 2000. Cunningham saw his production drop from 15 goals in 1999 to two a year ago. Washington picked up most of the slack, netting 15 goals. When McBride is added to this lineup, the Crew's forward line rivals that of any in MLS.
Service to the frontrunners will come from Colombian John Wilmar Perez, who quickly picked up the pace of MLS last year improved from game to game.
Columbus also nabbed a several promising youngsters in the 2001 SuperDraft. First-round pick Duncan Oughton figures to see some time on the wing, while Project-40 striker Edson Buddle adds even more depth up front.
Key Additions:
D Tenywa Bonseu, G Tom Presthus, F Duncan
Oughton, F Edson Buddle.
Key Departures:
M Mario Gori, M Jason Farrell.
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2000 Crew Leaders
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Goals
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15, Dante Washington
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Assists
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13, Robert Warzycha
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Points
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39, Dante Washington
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GAA
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1.61 Mark Dougherty
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Keep an eye on:
F Dante Washington (15 goals) led the team in scoring in 2000, and seems to have put his nagging injuries behind him. Second-year M John Wilmar Perez (three goals, nine points) should be more comfortable after starting 30 games a year ago, and should factor more in the attack. Columbus should have stern competition at its starting goalkeeper job, as both GK Tom Presthus and GK Mark Dougherty have been top-flight starters in MLS before. F Brian McBride (six goals in 18 games) will miss time with the U.S. National Team, but if healthy should return to 10 goal-a-year levels for the Crew. Brian Maisonneuve, a U.S. World Cup Team starter in 1998 who missed all of 2000 with an ankle injury, could be the player who elevates Columbus into contention for the Central Division title.
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