Crew's Carroll, Shield go hand-in-hand
Columbus midfielder part of past four Supporters' Shield winning clubs
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Never heard of the award?
Maybe because the prize for having the most points in the league is better known as the Supporters' Shield.
However, with the vice grip the Crew midfielder has on it, there could be a name change.
Carroll has now been a part of the past four Shield winners, first with D.C. United in 2006 and '07 and then the past two years in Columbus.
It was a fact that he did not know until his wife, Katie, mentioned it last week.
"I laughed. I didn't believe her at first," he said. "I don't remember that happening. I guess that's because I'm not thinking about it and I'm going out there and working hard every day. If you try to improve week in and week out crazy stuff like that will happen."
Midfielder Danny O'Rourke can see why Carroll is front and center in the streak.
"He's Mr. Consistent. You know what you're going to get out of him all the time. I don't think it's a coincidence he won four in a row," O'Rourke said. "He's always solid. I remember him back when D.C. was really good and BC was the anchor of the midfield with Ben Olsen. I remember that was the team to beat."
Carroll, 28, has been a mainstay at defensive midfield for the Crew the past two seasons. He played all but eight minutes in 2008 and appeared in 26 of the 30 matches this season despite suffering a severe shoulder separation May 27 vs. San Jose that caused him to miss two games.
He also served a one-game suspension for caution accumulation and was rested at D.C. United in the next-to-last game of the season.
"BC is a very smart player. He is a good passer and holds possession well," coach Robert Warzycha said. "He's the link we need."
Carroll's contributions are not limited to the field. He was named the team's Man of the Year at an award ceremony on Monday for his leadership, civic pride, family values and community service.
"I think any number of players could have won it but I'm really appreciative," he said.
He's sincere and soft spoken and laughs at the suggestion he must be the good luck charm for two teams and four consecutive Supporters' Shields.
"It will mean a lot more when I'm done playing and mean a lot more if we're successful this playoff and win another Cup. It doesn't feel tremendously special unless we got ahead and win it," he said.
Neither of the two D.C. United Shields produced an MLS Cup victory like last season, but his previous MLS title came in his second season with the club in 2004.
Who was the Supporters' Shield winner that year? Columbus.
"I'd rather have the ring that year," he joked.
There is a recurring theme among the four Shield winners he's played for.
"With this team and thinking back to D.C., guys just like playing for each other," he said. "Even more so with this team, the locker room is great. They love playing for each other. They love working hard for each other.
"Whenever you can get that as well as hanging out with each other off the field it creates great chemistry and allows us to improve and come to work and have fun each day."
Carroll hopes this year's Shield will be memorable again because of a championship.
The Crew struggled at the end with three l-0 losses in four games but Carroll said the slate is clean for the two-leg series that starts Saturday against Real Salt Lake in Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.
"Certainly we need to improve based on some of the results of late but through all the games we've had and different competitions, injuries and sickness, guys have stepped up," he said. "We have to dig down even deeper and take advantage of the opportunities we get because in the playoffs they're a lot fewer of them."
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com
