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List of Columbus Crew head coaches

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A memorial dedicated to Tom Fitzgerald at Historic Crew Stadium. Fitzgerald is the winningest head coach in Crew history.

The Columbus Crew is a professional soccer team in the United States. The team is a member of the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league of the United States and Canada. The Crew has had nine different head coaches since joining the league in 1996, one of whom served only in an interim capacity. Timo Liekoski, the only Finnish head coach in MLS history, was the first head coach in 1996, but started 6–16 with just 14 points in its first 22 games, lowest in the league by seven points, and was fired midseason to be replaced by Tom Fitzgerald, who would lead the Crew to the playoffs, amassing 7 wins, 2 draws, and a single loss after taking over for Timo Liekoski.[1][2][3]

Tom Fitzgerald would take the Crew to the finals of the 1998 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.[4] Fitzgerald is the club's leader in career wins (86) and playoff wins (nine), and is tied with Gregg Berhalter for first in playoff appearances (four).[5] On May 17, 2001, it was announced that Fitzgerald would be let go by the team.[6]

Greg Andrulis, who replaced Tom Fitzgerald as head coach on an interim basis after the firing of Fitzgerald, became the full-time head coach of the Crew on Oct. 25, 2001.[7] He achieved a significant milestone by leading the Columbus Crew to their first major tournament victory in 2002, winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.[8][9][10] In 2004, under Andrulis' guidance, the team won the Supporters' Shield for having the best regular-season record, while also winning an individual award; MLS Coach of the Year, the first time a Crew head coach won the honor.[11][12][13] However, Andrulis, who had been with the team since 1997 as an assistant, was fired during the halfway point of the 2005 season, with assistant coach Robert Warzycha taking over for the remainder of the season on an interim basis.[14][15]

When Sigi Schmid began the 2006 season, it was the first time since the team's founding that a new coach took over in the off-season. He coached the team from 2006 through 2008 and implemented an offense based on ball possession and flank speed, focusing on a cautious, strategic style rather than taking unnecessary risks, and centered on roaming playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto.[16][17] Those tactics, along with solid defensive play, which was crucial for gaining possession and creating attacking opportunities, led Columbus to its first MLS Cup championship in 2008, a season in which he also won MLS Coach of the Year, the most recent Crew coach to have won the award.[18][19][20][21] After that season, Schmid left to coach the newly formed Seattle Sounders FC, and former player and assistant coach Robert Warzycha replaced him.[22]

Warzycha was the Crew's head coach from 2009 to 2013, and started his run as head coach 0–2–5 for five points. Columbus finished the 2009 season as Supporter's Shield winners, but bowed out in the 2009 Conference semifinals against Real Salt Lake, with Warzycha making the controversial decision to bench Guillermo Barros Schelotto in game one of the series.[23] Discontent grew during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, with critics attributing the team's success to Schmid's roster while the Crew jettisoned well-known names to begin a rebuild, including Guillermo Barros Schelotto and captain Frankie Hejduk.[24] Warzycha's vision for the team involved a more methodical buildup rather than the direct style they had played with Schelotto, as he believed that under Schelotto, the team relied too heavily on long balls and set pieces. Warzycha wanted more attacking opportunities for the wingers, which he found difficult with Schelotto playing as a withdrawn forward.[25] Columbus would make the playoffs in 2010 and 2011, but exited in the first round both times. Things worsened in 2012, as the Crew missed the playoffs by one point—the first time during Warzycha's tenure that the team would miss the playoffs. However, 2012 was not a total loss, as Central Ohio welcomed its newest Designated Player, Federico Higuaín.[26] The 2013 season was lackluster once again. In the summer fans demonstrated their discontent by throwing pink slips during Warzycha's pre-game introductions, signaling a lack of support.[26][27] The U.S. Open Cup during Warzycha's time was largely unforgettable, as the 2009 edition saw Columbus lose in their opening round to the Rochester Rhinos of Division II USL-1, the 2010 U.S. Open Cup saw Columbus make it to the final, losing to a Seattle Sounders team led by Sigi Schmid.[28] The next two editions of the U.S. Open Cup after 2010 were both home losses in the opening round suffered by Division III clubs Richmond Kickers in 2011 and the Dayton Dutch Lions in 2012.[29][30] The 2013 tournament saw the Crew eliminated in the fourth round by the Chicago Fire. On September 2, 2013, he was let go by the Crew, with Brian Bliss becoming the interim.[31] Warzycha's overall record of 70–59–41 leaves him tied with Tom Fitzgerald for the most regular-season wins as head coach of Columbus.

Gregg Berhalter was named as head coach as well as sporting director, overseeing all player personnel decisions on November 6, 2013.[32] While with Columbus, Berhalter used a 4-2-3-1 formation and emphasized a style focused on ball possession and quick, offensive attacks aimed at breaking down defenses, stressing the importance of quick ball movement and positioning players effectively to achieve this. He also highlighted his desire for fullbacks to push forward and contribute to the attack frequently, while also applying pressure to quickly regain possession after losing the ball.[33][34] The Berhalter-coached Columbus Crew teams reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in four out of five seasons, and despite working with a salary budget that ranked in the league's lower half each year, Berhalter led the team to the 2015 MLS Cup Final,[35] losing to the Portland Timbers, coached by Caleb Porter.

On January 4, 2019, the aforementioned Caleb Porter was named as head coach, after Gregg Berhalter left to coach the United States men's national soccer team.[36][37] Porter led the Crew to its second MLS Cup championship, beating Seattle Sounders FC 3–0,[38] as well as winning the 2021 Campeones Cup.[39] After not making the playoffs in either of the next two seasons after winning the championship, the Crew parted ways with Porter after the 2022 season.[40]

On December 6, 2022, Wilfried Nancy was named as head coach, being hired away from CF Montréal.[41][42] Columbus would conclude the 2023 regular season as the top-scoring team in MLS, marking the first instance in the franchise's history. Nancy would guide the Crew to an MLS Cup victory his first season in charge, beating the defending champions Los Angeles FC 2–1.[43] With that victory, Nancy also became the first Black head coach in MLS history to win MLS Cup.[44]

Coaches

[edit]
As of December 10, 2023[45][46][47][citation needed]
Coach Tenure MLS Regular Season MLS Cup Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Honors
W L D Apps W L D W L
Finland Timo Liekoski December 5, 1995 – August 2, 1996 6 16 – 0 — —
United States Tom Fitzgerald August 2, 1996 – May 17, 2001 70 67 7 4 9 8 0 7 3
United States Greg Andrulis May 17, 2001 – July 16, 2005 49 43 32 3 2 4 3 8 3 U.S. Open Cup – 2002
Supporters' Shield – 2004
MLS Coach of the Year – 2004
Poland Robert Warzycha (interim) July 16, 2005 – October 20, 2005 7 6 3 0 — 0 1
Germany Sigi Schmid October 20, 2005 – December 16, 2008 34 33 25 1 3 0 1 2 3 MLS Cup Champion – 2008
Supporters' Shield – 2008
MLS Coach of the Year – 2008
Poland Robert Warzycha December 23, 2008 – September 2, 2013 63 53 38 3 1 4 0 3 4 Supporters' Shield – 2009
United States Brian Bliss (interim) September 2, 2013 – November 6, 2013 4 4 0 0 — —
United States Gregg Berhalter November 6, 2013 – December 2, 2018 67 58 45 4 4 8 3 3 5
United States Caleb Porter January 4, 2019 – October 10, 2022 59 51 47 1 4 0 0 1 2 MLS Cup Champion - 2020
Campeones Cup - 2021
France Wilfried Nancy December 6, 2022 – present 25 11 10 1 5 1 0 2 1 MLS Cup Champion - 2023
Leagues Cup - 2024

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Liekoski Resigns as Coach of Columbus Crew". AP NEWS. August 2, 1996. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  2. ^ Parks, Brad (August 10, 1996). "UNITED WILL MEET A DIFFERENT CREW". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  3. ^ "1996 Columbus Crew Stats, All Competitions". FBref.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  4. ^ Hakala, Josh (October 31, 1998). "1998 US Open Cup results". thecup.us. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "2011 Columbus Crew Media Guide" (PDF). Columbus Crew. pp. 89–95. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  6. ^ "Fitzgerald fired as coach of MLS Crew". Chicago Tribune. May 18, 2001. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  7. ^ mlssoccer (August 12, 2023). "Crew ink head coach Andrulis for 2005 | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  8. ^ Connolly, Marc (November 1, 2002). "ESPN.com - SOCCER - U.S. Open Cup alive and well". www.espn.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "U.S. OPEN CUP: Garcia goal gives Columbus title". www.socceramerica.com. October 25, 2002. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  10. ^ Sharrett, Cody (May 29, 2012). "Martino reflects on 2002 US Open Cup victory | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  11. ^ "Crew runs unbeaten streak to 18 and wins Supporters' Shield after 1-1 tie at Colorado". OurSports Central. October 17, 2004. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  12. ^ "2004 Supporters' Shield | MLSsoccer.com". mlssoccer. June 26, 2023. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  13. ^ "Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Winners | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. August 12, 2023. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  14. ^ Danborn, Joe (July 12, 2005). "Crew fire Andrulis as Coach". USA Today.
  15. ^ Svoboda, Jeff (July 11, 2005). "Crew's Andrulis fired, Warzycha takes over". The Lantern. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  16. ^ Mitchell, Shawn (October 26, 2008). "Team-first attitude produces turnaround". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  17. ^ "Schmid rides emotional rollercoaster to MLS title". Yahoo Sports. November 24, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "Crew caps historic dream season with storybook ending in MLS Cup 2008". OurSports Central. November 26, 2008. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  19. ^ "MLS Coach of the Year Winners". mlssoccer. June 26, 2023. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  20. ^ Bell, Jack (November 23, 2008). "Crew Defeats Red Bulls to Win M.L.S. Cup". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  21. ^ Jones, Grahame L. (November 22, 2008). "Old turf, new crew". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  22. ^ Mitchell, Shawn (December 22, 2008). "Crew stays in-house in hiring Warzycha". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  23. ^ Lalas, Greg (March 25, 2010). "2010 Columbus Preview". ColumbusCrew.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  24. ^ Merz, Craig (March 22, 2011). "Faces of First Kick: Robert Warzycha | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  25. ^ Merz, Craig (March 22, 2011). "Faces of First Kick: Robert Warzycha". mlssoccer. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Davis, Steve (September 2, 2013). "With new, ambitious owners in Columbus, Robert Warzycha's hourglass never had much sand". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  27. ^ Arace, Michael (July 4, 2013). "Michael Arace commentary: Crew fans' support for Warzycha is running out". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  28. ^ Clare, Steve (October 6, 2010). "2010 US Open Cup Final: Record crowd sees Seattle Sounders become first repeat champion since 1983". thecup.us. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  29. ^ Jardy, Adam (May 30, 2012). "Crew bows out early in Open Cup again". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  30. ^ "Nyassi, Sounders top Crew, claim another USOC crown". mlssoccer.com. October 5, 2010. Archived from the original on January 13, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  31. ^ "Crew parts ways with Head Coach Robert Warzycha | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. September 2, 2013. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  32. ^ "Crew names Gregg Berhalter Head Coach and Sporting Director | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. November 6, 2013. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  33. ^ King, Andrew (November 7, 2013). "New boss Gregg Berhalter plans to emphasize speed, possession, pressing with Columbus Crew". mlssoccer. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  34. ^ King, Andrew (February 27, 2015). "The Evolution of Gregg Berhalter: Columbus Crew SC's young Head Coach never stops learning". ColumbusCrew.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  35. ^ CRANDALL, JEFF (December 2, 2018). "Five Things to Know About U.S. MNT Head Coach Gregg Berhalter". www.ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  36. ^ "Columbus Crew SC names Tim Bezbatchenko as President and announces Caleb Porter as Head Coach | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. January 4, 2019. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  37. ^ "Former USA defender Gregg Berhalter appointed to coach men's national team". The Guardian. December 2, 2018. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  38. ^ Bogert, Tom (December 12, 2020). "Columbus Crew SC are 2020 MLS Cup champions: Second title in club history | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  39. ^ Nicholas Quillen, Ian (September 29, 2021). "Columbus Crew wins 2021 Campeones Cup with 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul". ColumbusCrew.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  40. ^ "Columbus Crew parts ways with Head Coach Caleb Porter | Columbus Crew". ColumbusCrew.com. October 10, 2022. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  41. ^ Johnson, Bailey (December 6, 2022). "'There is everything here to do something great': Wilfried Nancy introduced as Crew coach". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  42. ^ "Columbus Crew names Wilfried Nancy as Head Coach". ColumbusCrew.com. Columbus Crew Press Release. December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  43. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (December 9, 2023). "CHAMPIONS! Columbus Crew lift MLS Cup 2023 over LAFC". mlssoccer. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  44. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (December 9, 2023). "Wilfried Nancy first Black coach to win MLS Cup: "I'm so proud"". mlssoccer. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  45. ^ "Columbus Crew timeline: A look back at the club's history". Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  46. ^ https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/columbus-crew-head-coach-greg-andrulis-relieved-head-coaching-duties [bare URL]
  47. ^ "Wilfried Nancy | Columbus Crew". Archived from the original on October 7, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
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