Columbus Crew Timeline

1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007

Dec. 17 - In fulfillment of U.S. Soccer's promise to FIFA, Alan Rothenberg announces the formation of Major League Soccer.

June 15 - The city of Columbus is awarded one of the 10 inaugural clubs in Major League Soccer (MLS).

June 8 - Lamar Hunt and Family are announced as the investor-operators of the Columbus Major League Soccer Team.

July 7 - Team Columbus names Jamey Rootes as the team's first general manager.

Oct. 17 - Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka unveils Team Columbus' name, logo, uniform, and colors. Columbus resident Luis Orozco was the only entrant in a month long contest to suggest that the team be named "The Columbus Crew."

Dec. 5 - The Columbus Crew names Timo Liekoski as its first head coach.

Dec. 21 - MLS assigns South African National Team star, Theophilus Doctor Khumalo, to The Crew. The Doctor becomes The Crew's first allocated player and first player ever.

Jan. 4 - Tom Fitzgerald is named the first Crew assistant coach.

Jan. 5 - MLS begins its first player combine, bringing more than 250 players to Irvine, CA from Jan. 5-15.

Feb. 1 - MLS assigns United States U-23 National Team player, Brian Maisonneuve, to The Crew. He becomes The Crew's second allocated player.

Feb. 3 - MLS assigns 1990 U.S. World Cup veteran and United States National Team veteran Brian Bliss to The Crew. Bliss becomes The Crew's third allocated player.

Feb. 4 - MLS assigns Uruguayan National Team player, Adrian Paz, to Columbus as its fourth allocated player. The Crew is awarded the first pick in the first-ever MLS Player Draft.

Feb. 6 - Major League Soccer conducts its first player draft, holding the first eight rounds at the Hotel Inter-Continental in New York City. Brian McBride, a two-time All-American from St. Louis, is the first overall player selected by Columbus.

Feb. 7 - MLS conducts the final eight rounds of its first player draft at the Hotel Inter-Continental in NYC. The 10 teams selected 160 players over the two-day, 16-round draft.

March 4 - The MLS supplemental and college drafts are held. With the 10th pick of the first round of the supplemental draft, The Crew selects 1990 and 1994 U.S. World Cup veteran, Paul Caligiuri.

March 6 - The Crew opens preseason training camp in Dublin, Ohio at Soccer First at SportsOhio. The Crew unveils its local investors and also announces that 1460 WBNS Radio has been named the team's radio station and will air all 32 games.

March 13 - Spring training opens for The Crew in Boca Raton, Florida for 10 days of preseason training and scrimmages.

April 13 - The Crew's inaugural game against D.C. United results in a 4-0 Crew victory in front of a crowd of 25,266.

May 17 - SportsChannel Ohio, SportsChannel Chicago and local station WB53, sign agreements to air eight Crew matches.

June 4 - The Crew signs its first discovery option player, Polish international Robert Warzycha.

June 24 - Brian McBride is selected to the first annual MLS Soccer All-Star game to be held on July 14 at Giants Stadium.

June 28 - Columbus receives its fifth allocation when Argentinian defender Ricardo Iribarren is assigned to The Crew.

Aug. 2 - With The Crew in fifth-place and a 6-16 record, Head Coach Timo Liekoski resigns. Assistant coach Tom Fitzgerald is immediately named head coach on an interim basis.

Aug. 7 - The Crew announced that John Ellinger, the men's U.S. National "B" Team head coach, will fill the assistant coach's spot on an interim basis.

Aug. 8 - The Crew acquires U.S. National Team goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Aug. 16 - The Village of Obetz, Ohio has been selected as The Crew's site for its state-of-the-art training facility.

Sept. 15 - The Crew sets the season record for attendance in Columbus when 31,550 fans come out to see The Crew defeat the MetroStars 2-0 in the last regular season home game of the inaugural year.

Sept. 25 - The Crew makes its first-ever playoff appearance, losing at home, 2-0 to Tampa Bay.

Oct. 18 - Columbus Crew General Manager, Jamey Rootes, is recognized as the league's top executive and awarded the first-ever Major League Soccer Executive of the Year award.

Oct. 24 - The Crew officially removes the interim title from Tom Fitzgerald's name and names him head coach after he led the team to a 9-1 run at the end of the season and into the playoffs.

Nov. 19 - Gentleman Associates, an Indianapolis based research company, grades the "Crew Experience" as outstanding after conducting surveys during the inaugural season.

Dec. 12 - Greg Andrulis, formerly The Crew's goalkeeper coach, is named assistant coach for The Crew, filling the void left by the departure of Ellinger.

Feb. 1-2 - The MLS College and Supplemental drafts are held.

Feb. 4 - The team's fifth allocated player, Ricardo Iribarren, learned he would miss the 1997 season due to visa problems.

Feb. 24 - The Crew and MLS re-sign goalkeeper Brad Friedel to a three-year deal.

March 5 - The Crew becomes the first MLS team to land a local network television affiliate, as WTTE Fox 28 signs on to televise games. SportsChannel Ohio will also do games.

March 18 - Columbus plays in the first annual "Dayton Cup for Charity" against Kansas City at Centerville Soccer Stadium. The Wizards win 1-0.

March 24 - Crew Week II kicks off. Mayor Greg Lashutka begins a week of festivities.

March 25 - The Crew Radio Network expands to 16 state-wide affiliates.

March 28 - Crew opens year two at home at Ohio Stadium with a 2-1 shootout win over Colorado.

April 8 - MLS and ESPN announce Shootout Package, 87 % of all MLS games will be televised.

April 9 - MLS announces that Chicago and Miami will join the league as expansion teams in 1998.

April 16 - The Crew's Official website, http://www.thecrew.com, is unveiled.

May 1 - Brian McBride signs a four-year deal with MLS.

May 3 - Thomas Dooley, U.S. National Team star, signs with MLS and The Crew.

May 6 - Issue 1, a Franklin County vote to raise taxes .5 % for a downtown arena and stadium, fails.

May 14 - Crew defeats English Premier League opponent Leeds United 2-1 at Ohio Stadium.

June 3 - U.S. National Team veteran Mike Lapper signs with Crew and MLS.

June 5 - The Crew's first Project-40 player, Ubusuku Abukusumo, is assigned.

June 5 - Ohio State and The Crew sign lease extension through the 1998 season.

July 9 - Brian McBride scores the game-winning goal with two minutes left in the MLS All-Star game in Giants Stadium to give the East a 5-4 win. Robert Warzycha also tallies for the East.

Aug. 11 - The Crew opens state-of-the-art training center in Obetz, Ohio.

Oct. 8 - Columbus wins its first playoff series, beating Tampa Bay 2-0 to win the series two games to none and advance to its first Eastern Conference Finals Series.

Oct. 16 - ESPN, Inc. and MLS sign multi-year TV deal. ABC will air 12 games for the 1998 season.

Oct. 22 - Brad Friedel wins MLS Pepsi Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

Nov. 17 - MLS wins leader Mark Dougherty is acquired from Tampa Bay in the waiver draft.

Jan. 20 - Former Virginia star Brian West is assigned to The Crew as its second Project-40 player.

Jan 28 - U.S. National Team goalkeeper Juergen Sommer signs with MLS and The Crew.

Jan. 31-Feb. 1 - MLS holds its College and Supplemental drafts. Crew selects South Florida standout Jeff Cunningham with its first round pick.

Feb. 1 - A Dublin City vote to provide a Nortwest Suburban Columbus Stadium for The Crew fails.

Feb. 26 - 21-year-old Trinidad and Tobago star Stern John joins The Crew as a discovery player.

March 2 - Jamaican National Teamer Andy Williams is signed as a discovery option.

March 7 - Crew defeats K.C. 1-0 in a shootout in the second annual "Dayton Cup for Charity."

March 11 - Crew inks television deals with WSYX-Ch. 6 (ABC), WTTE Fox 28 and FOX Sports Ohio to air eight games.

March 21 - Crew kicks off year three of MLS play on the road at Tampa Bay, winning 2-1.

March 30 - Crew Week III kicks off.

April 4 - The Crew wins it's last home opener in Ohio Stadium, downing two-time defending MLS Champion D.C. United 2-1.

April 18 - In The Crew's first game against the expansion Miami Fusion, Stern John scores his first career MLS goal in the 48th minute, and then explodes for two more, giving him his first career hat trick in a 5-1 win.

May 5 - U.S. National Team Head Coach Steve Sampson announces that Crew players Brian McBride, Thomas Dooley, Juergen Sommer, and Brian Maisonneuve have been selected to the U.S. National Team for the 1998 World Cup in France.

May 15 - The Ohio Expositions Commission votes 6-2 to approve the form and content of a land lease to build a soccer-specific stadium on the grounds of the Ohio Expo Center.

May 18 - The State of Ohio Controlling Board approves the lease.

May 19 - Crew announces plans for the construction of the country's first-ever soccer-specific stadium, on the grounds of the Ohio Expo Center. The 25-year lease paves the way for construction of a 22,500 seat stadium. NBBJ is the architect on the project.

May 28 - The Ohio Expositions Commission approves the site.

June 4 - The second to last signature required for the lease's approval is signed by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.

June 9 - Ohio Governor George Voinovich signs the lease, paving the way for the construction of the country's first stadium built specifically for soccer.

June 14 - Crew rookie Andy Williams makes his first-ever World Cup appearance for the Jamaican National team, in a 3-1 loss to Croatia.

June 21 - Forward Brian McBride scores the lone U.S. goal of the 1998 World Cup in a 2-1 loss to Iran.

July 7 - The Crew edge the Rochester Raging Rhinos 2-1 in sudden-death overtime in The Crew's first-ever U.S. Open Cup Match. Todd Yeagley tallies the game-winning goal in the 103rd minute.

July 7 - The preliminary plans for the Columbus Crew stadium are unveiled at the Ohio Expo Center.

July 16 - The Crew's Brian McBride and Thomas Dooley are voted as starters for the USA MLS All-Stars for the 1998 MLS All-Star game in Orlando.

Aug. 2 - Crew forward Brian McBride becomes the first Crew player to be named MVP of the MLS All-Star game, as he registered a goal and two assists in the first half of the MLS USA All-Stars' 6-1 victory over the MLS World All-Stars.

Aug. 8 - The Crew sets a team record for most goals in a game, by blistering New England for six goals on the way to a 6-1 triumph at Ohio Stadium.

Aug. 14 - The most significant date in U.S. Soccer history occurs in Columbus, as The Crew break ground on a 22,500 seat soccer-specific stadium. MLS Commissioner Doug Logan announces that the new stadium will host the MLS All-Star Game in 2000 and the 2001 MLS Cup.

Aug. 16 - Crew forward Stern John becomes the first player in MLS history to notch three hat tricks in a season, as he blitzes Kansas City for three goals in ten minutes, during the 5-3 win at Ohio Stadium.

Sept. 2 - The Crew announces its 1999 ticket prices, along with premium seating options for the new stadium.

Sept. 15 - The Crew and Sports Radio 1460 WBNS "The Fan" extend their radio partnership through the year 2000, allowing 1460 to remain as the flagship station for the Columbus Crew Radio Network, the only one of its kind in MLS.

Sept. 18 - On the first day of the seat relocation process for the new stadium, The Crew sells 1,181 season tickets. The Club Loges also go quickly as 18 of the 20 available are sold, forcing The Crew to expand the number of Club Loges to 30.

Sept. 27 - In The Crew's 1998 regular season finale against D.C. United, Stern John scores two first half goals to secure the first MLS Budweiser Scoring Championship in Crew history. John finishes his rookie MLS Season with 26 goals, and five assists for a total of 57 points.

Sept. 30 - For the first time, The Crew begins its third consecutive trip to the MLS Playoffs with home field advantage against the NY/NJ MetroStars.

Sept. 30 - In just seven days, The Crew sell out all 1,157 Club Seats in the new stadium.

Oct. 18 - In the last MLS game ever played at Ohio Stadium, The Crew leave "The Shoe' with a 4-2 playoff win over D.C., snapping United's MLS record 13-game playoff win streak. The Crew end the Ohio Stadium era with an all-time home record of 33-20.

Oct. 20 - Brian McBride captures the 1998 MasterCard Goal of the Year award.

Oct. 30 - In the rescheduled Open Cup Final, The Crew lose a 2-1 heartbreaker to the Chicago Fire in sudden-death overtime at Soldier Field.

Nov. 5 - The first pieces of turfgrass sod are laid at The Crew's new stadium. Among those in attendance are Crew owner Lamar Hunt and President/G.M. Jamey Rootes. The entire field is installed in just over a week.

Dec. 1- The Crew announce that the new stadium's inaugural game will be on Saturday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. vs. the New England Revolution.

Feb. 9 - The Crew unveils an inaugural game logo and announces the creation of an inaugural game organizing committee.

Feb.25 - In The Crew's largest sponsorship announcement, The Crew announces that they have added eight marketing partners for the season, including Kroger, adidas, OhioHealth, Huntington Banks, McDonald,s, MasterCard, Adam's Mark and Bank One.

March 15 - Columbus Crew Stadium lights go on for the first time

March 16 - U.S. Soccer Federation Secretary General Hank Steinbrecher announces that Crew Stadium will be the site for the U.S. Men's Under-17 National Team game vs. El Salvador on May 22 at 4:00pm. It is the final leg of a two-game series to determine a spot in the FIFA Under-17 World Championship.

April 10 - 1,000 Crew single-game tickets for the inaugural game at Crew Stadium sell out in eight minutes.

April 20 - The Crew travels to Cincinnati to play its A-League affiliate, the Cincinnati Riverhawks, to raise money for tornado relief after a tornado had torn through the Greater Cincinnati area. The event raises over $15,000.

May 1 - The Crew face Kansas City in the Third Annual Dayton Cup for Charity at Centerville Stadium.

May 4 - The Crew holds its first official practice at the new stadium.

May 8 - City, County, and State officials kickoff Crew Week IV with a Crew Stadium Open House, the first-ever event in the new stadium.

May 14 - U.S. Soccer announces that Crew Stadium will be the site for the 1999 U.S. Open Cup Championship.

May 15 - Lamar Hunt receives National Soccer Hall of Fame Medal of Honor.

May 15 - The Crew opens Crew Stadium, the first stadium built specifically for soccer in the United States as The Crew down the New England Revolution 2-0 before a sold-out crowd of 24,741. Jeff Cunningham scores the first goal in Crew Stadium history beating Revs goalkeeper Walter Zenga in the 10th minute. Stern John adds the second goal in the 59th minute.

May 22 - Columbus sets a new record for season tickets sales with 9,083, surpassing the previous mark of 9,078 set by The Crew in 1996. The Black & Gold end the year with 9,282 season tickets.

May 22 - Crew Stadium holds its first soccer double header as the U.S. U-17 squad downs the El Salvador U-17's 4-0 to secure a spot in the FIFA Under-17 World Championship, while The Crew suffers its first loss at Crew Stadium falling to the Tampa Bay Mutiny 1-0 in a shootout

May 29 - The Columbus Crew, Kellogg's and CD 101 sponsor the first non-soccer event in Columbus Crew Stadium when the pop band BoDeans plays a post game.

June 16 - The first-ever Buck-A-Brat night takes place at Crew Stadium. Crew fans devour 14,659 bratwurst.

July 1 - Columbus Mayor Gregory S. Lashutka and Crew President Jamey Rootes announce that Columbus Crew Stadium will host the U.S. Women's National Team in the opening double header of the 1999 Nike U.S. Women's Cup on Sunday, October 3.

July 8 - Brian McBride and Thomas Dooley are voted to the MLS All-Star Team. McBride will make his fourth All-Star appearance, while Dooley will start his second consecutive All-Star game.

July 17 - Stern John tallies a goal and Brian McBride has an assist as the East loses 6-4 to the West in the fourth All-Star game.

Aug. 3 - Head Coach Tom Fitzgerald signs a two-year contract extension through the 2001 season.

Aug. 3 - Crew Stadium is named the site of the 1999 Ohio High School Athletic Association State Soccer Championships. For the first time, every division's championship game will be held at the same venue.

Aug. 4 - Major League Soccer names Don Garber as the league's new commissioner, replacing Doug Logan who had been MLS commissioner since the league's inception.

Aug. 7 - Jeff Cunningham makes his first-ever appearance for the Jamaican National Team, playing against Ghana, in Ghana.

Aug. 18 - Crew goalkeeper Mark Dougherty collects MLS win number 50 and Stern John set a MLS record with his fifth career hat trick in a 4-2 win over NY/NJ at the Meadowlands.

Sept. 1 - The A-League's Rochester Raging Rhinos down The Crew 3-2 in extra time in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at the Virginia Beach SportsPlex.

Sept. 7 - U.S. Soccer Federation Secretary General Hank Steinbrecher announces that the USSF has renamed the U.S. Open Cup Tournament the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament in honor of his contributions to soccer in the United States.

Sept. 21 - MLS and The Crew announce that forward Brian McBride has signed a multi-year contract with MLS that will keep him in Columbus through the 2002 World Cup and beyond.

Sept. 26 - Brian McBride becomes the first Crew player and the 14th player in MLS history to eclipse the 100-career point plateau after scoring two goals in a 2-1 home win over Miami. His two goals gave him 101 points. The win also set a new team mark for wins in a season with 19.

Oct. 10 - With a crowd of 18,979 in the final regular season home game of the year vs. Chicago, Columbus (MLS' smallest market) finishes the season with the top home attendance in the league, averaging 17,696 per game.

Oct. 12 - The Crew and Major League Soccer unveil the official 2000 MLS All-Star Game logo.

Nov. 13 - The Black & Gold fall one game short of MLS Cup, losing the decisive game three of the Eastern Finals 4-0 at D.C United.

Nov. 15 - The Crew and MLS announce that Stern John has been sold to Nottingham Forest of the English First Division.

Nov. 17 - MLS bans the shootout, changes the game clock direction and realigns the league into three divisions. MLS also announces that "Soccer Saturdays" and a Monday night highlight show will be part of its national T.V. package. The Crew will now play in the Central Division with Dallas, Chicago and Tampa Bay.

Dec. 16 - Crew President and General Manager Jamey Rootes announces that he is leaving the organization to become the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the NFL's new expansion franchise in Houston.

Jan. 11 - Crew Stadium is named the 2000 Foremost Sports Facility of the Year by the International Sports Summit. Crew stadium edged out the new Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Jan. 25 - Crew Investor-Operator Lamar Hunt and Hunt Sports Group name Jim Smith The Crew's new General Manager. Smith comes to the team from Ohio State University where he was the Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications.

Feb. 1 - MLS revises its International player rules and expands team roster sizes to 24.

Feb. 6 - MLS holds its first-ever SuperDraft in Fort Lauderdale. Taking the place of the previous college and supplemental drafts, the SuperDraft combined all collegiate, Project-40 and professional players who entered the draft. The Crew trades its first round pick (3rd overall) to Dallas for forward Dante Washington. Columbus drafts four other players, including Columbus area native Christoff Lindenmayer. The MetroStars select UCLA defender Steve Shak as the SuperDraft's first overall pick.

Feb. 7 - The Crew and the 11 other MLS teams open Spring Training 2000 in South Florida.

March 18 - The Crew open the 2000 season on the road against the Tampa Bay Mutiny.

March 25 - Robert Warzycha scores MLS's first-ever regular-season "Golden Goal" to propel The Crew to a 2-1 victory over San Jose in its home opener.

May 3 - The Crew snaps its 13-match winless streak at FRK Stadium, defeating D.C. United there for the first time ever, 2-1, on a Richie Williams own goal.

May 24 - Crew Stadium plays host to its first international exhibition match as German Bundesliga power Hamburg SV come to town, but it is The Crew which streaks to a decisive 4-1 victory.

July 26 - In its second international exhibition match of the season, The Crew plays Newcastle United F.C. of the English Premier League to a 2-2 draw before 18,212 spectators at Crew Stadium.

July 29 - A standing-room-only crowd of 23,495 is on hand as Crew Stadium plays host to the 2000 MLS All-Star Game. Mike Clark, Brian McBride, and Dante Washington all represent the hometown Crew.

Sept. 6 - Matt Napoleon departs for Australia where he will serve as the alternate goalie for the U.S. Men?s Olympic Team at the Sydney 2000 Games.

Sept. 9 - With The Crew already eliminated from postseason contention for the first time ever, a sellout crowd of 24,347 packs Crew Stadium for the the 2000 finale vs. Chicago.

Sept. 13 - Brian McBride departs for England, on loan to First Division club Preston North End F.C. for the duration of the MLS offseason.

Oct. 11 - The U.S. Men?s National Team and Costa Rica play to a 0-0 draw in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match at Crew Stadium. The second-largest crowd in stadium history 24,430 witnesses the historic event.

Nov. 11 - The first game of the U.S. Women?s National Team?s Glory Tour, vs. Canada, is played at Crew Stadium.

Feb. 14 - Crew embarks on its first-ever overseas trip with departure for a 12-day training tour in Germany.

Feb. 21 - Agreement is reached with North American Broadcasting Co. to have Eagle 103.9 (WEGE-FM) become the new flagship station of the Columbus Crew Radio Network.

Feb. 28 - The U.S. Men?s National Team defeats Mexico, 2-0, before a chilled, overfolw crowd of 24,624 at Crew Stadium, in a final-round CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match.

April 4 - The Crew opens its first-ever international competition with a 2-0 loss to CD Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica, in the quarterfinals of the FC (CONCACAF) Giants Cup. The Giants Cup involved the confederation clubs with the top attendance marks. The teams played to a 1-1 draw a week later (April 11) at Crew Stadium and Saprissa advanced to the semifinals on aggregate (3-1).

April 19 - Crew launches ?5th Major Sport? program, a partnership with the greater-Columbus soccer community to promote the game of soccer.

May 17 - Tom Fitzgerald is dismissed as Crew head coach, after parts of six seasons, and replaced on an interim basis by his top assistant Greg Andrulis.

May 19 - The Crew pulls out a dramatic 2-1 overtime win over D.C. United in Greg Andrulis? debut as head coach. Jeff Cunningham scored the golden goal in the 99th minute after The Crew played the final 32 minutes two men down.

May 29 - The Crew defeats Bayer Leverkusen of the German Bundesliga, 4-3, in an international exhibition match at Crew Stadium.

June 5 - Rookie forward Edson Buddle is named to the U.S. Under-20 National Team for the XIth FIFA World Youth Championship, held in Argentina June 17-July 8. Buddle appeared in three matches and scored one goal.

June 7 - The U.S. Men?s National Team and Ecuador play to a 0-0 tie in an international friendly match at Crew Stadium, with legendary guitarist Eric Clapton in attendance.

June 16 - Dante Washington sets a new club record for points in a game (8), by scoring three goals and adding two assists in The Crew?s 6-1 win over Tampa Bay.

June 24 - The prestigious Ohio All-Star (high school football) Classic is played at Crew Stadium for the first time.

July 6 - The ?interim? is lifted from head coach Greg Andrulis? title, as GM Jim Smith announces he will remain at the helm for the balance of the season.

July 15 - Crew ?got milk?? billboards go up around greater-Columbus, featuring Crew players Mike Clark, Mike Duhaney, Brian Maisonneuve and Brian West.

July 28 - Mike Clark, Brian McBride and John Wilmar Perez represent The Crew in the 2001 All-Star Game in San Jose, Calif. With his five-point day (2g, 1a), McBride became the all-time leading scorer in all-star game history (6 GP, 5g-7a=17 pts.).

Aug. 1 - The Crew sells the 125,000th bratwurst in the history of its Wednesday Buck-a-Brat Nights.

Aug. 19 - The Crew extends its unbeaten streak to a club-record nine games (7-0-2) with a 1-0 win at NY/NJ.

Aug. 20 - Pop band *NSYNC plays a sold out concert at Crew Stadium.

Sept. 13 - MLS cancels the final week-and-a-half of the 2001 regular season, in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. The Crew, whose final two games are cancelled, finish as the No. 4 playoff seed with a 13-7-6 record (45 pts.).

Oct. 9 - Crew forward Jeff Cunningham departs for a loan spell in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen of the German Bundesliga, following an impressive MLS season in which he became the first Crew player ever to achieve double-figure totals in both goals (10) and assists (13).

Oct. 20 - General Manager Jim Smith is named the 2001 MLS Executive of the Year.

Oct. 21 - The San Jose Earthquakes defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 in overtime to win MLS Cup 2001 at Crew Stadium.

Oct. 25 - The Crew signs head coach Greg Andrulis, who posted a 12-4-4 regular-season record after taking over, to a two-year extension.

Dec. 6 - MLS announces that its investors committed to funding and operating the league for the next five years, through the 2006 season.

Dec. 9 - Jeff Cunningham earns his first cap for the U.S. Men's National Team in an international friendly match at South Korea. The Jamaican-born Cunningham was sworn in as a U.S. citizen at the Federal Courthouse in Columbus on Nov. 13.

Dec. 16 - The University of North Carolina defeats Indiana University, 2-0, at Crew Stadium in the final of the 2001 NCAA Men's College Cup which kicked off on Dec. 14 with two national semifinal matches.

Jan. 2 - MLS announces innovative five-year broadcast agreement that includes MLS and FIFA World Cup broadcasts, which will air on ABC and ESPN networks. A new company is formed by MLS to manage sales, service and broadcast production for the World Cup properties, which the league purchased.

Jan. 8 - MLS eliminates the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny via contraction, leaving a 10-team league.

Jan. 17 - Veteran midfielder Robert Warzycha is named a player/assistant coach for the 2002 season.

March 23 - The Crew opens its seventh MLS season ? and fourth in Crew Stadium at home vs. the Chicago Fire. The match is broadcast live nationally on ABC.

April 17 - Crew Founder Lamar Hunt announces the promotion of General Manager Jim Smith to the dual role of President/General Manager and signs him to a three-year contract extension.

April 20 - The first annual Connor Senn Memorial Match is played at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the Ohio State University campus. The game pits The Crew against the OSU Buckeyes with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Connor Senn Memorial Scholarship Fund, established after the Ohio State freshman tragically lost his life after collapsing during a game on Sept. 26, 2001.

April 22 - Brian McBride is one of the 23 players named by head coach Bruce Arena to the U.S. World Cup Team that went on to compete in the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan. Crew teammates Brian Maisonneuve and Brian West are named as alternates.

May 6 - The Crew announces a partnership with the American Dairy Association & Dairy Council Mid East for a "got milk?" promotion. In addition to offering milk at the concession stands during Crew games in Crew Stadium, the promotion also features Crew players Tom Presthus, Brian Maisonneuve, Jeff Cunningham and Duncan Oughton sporting milk moustaches on COTA busses throughout the Columbus area.

May 15 - The Crew competes in an international friendly with FC Nurnberg of the German Bundesliga at Crew Stadium, won by Columbus 7-2. May 31-June 30 - Columbus Crew Stadium is transformed into "Cup Headquarters" where The Crew hosts viewing parties for every televised game of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. More than 27,000 people attend the viewing parties, which attract national media attention.

June 5 - Brian McBride tallies the game-winning goal as the U.S. Men's National Team kicks off the 2002 FIFA World Cup with a shocking 3-2 win over world power Portugal in Sowon, Korea.

June 15 - Dante Washington scores the 50th goal of his MLS career. June 17 - Brian McBride tallies his second game-winning goal of the 2002 FIFA World Cup as the U.S. downs rival Mexico 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals, its best showing in 72 years.

June 24-25 - As a part of the media blitz following the U.S. World Cup Team's successful run in Korea, Brian McBride, along with several of his World Cup teammates, appear on a number of major national television programs, including The Late Show with David Letterman, Connie Chung Tonight, Good Morning America, Live! With Regis & Kelly and ESPN2's World Cup Tonight.

June 25 - Veteran Todd Yeagley announces his retirement due to chronic injuries in his knee and foot. After announcing his retirement, Yeagley joins the Crew's front office as the Assistant to the President/General Manager for the remainder of the season.

June 26 - The Crew plays host to Club Tigres of the Mexican First Division in an exhibition match held at Crew Stadium. Columbus loses its first international exhibition against a Mexican team, 2-1.

June 27 - At Columbus Celebrates Sports, a ceremony held by the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau to announce the formation of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, The U.S. vs. Mexico World Cup qualifier held at Crew Stadium on Feb. 28, 2001 is named the second greatest moment in Columbus sports history. The opening of Crew Stadium is also ranked among the top 20 moments in Columbus sports history.

July 3 - Crew defender/midfielder Duncan Oughton is named to the New Zealand National Team for the Oceana Nations Cup, its regional confederation championship, ultimately won by the Kiwis on home soil. July 11 - Veteran defender Mike Lapper announces his retirement and joins the Crew's front office staff as Director of Soccer Business Development.

July 31 - Brian McBride scores his 50th career MLS goal, all of them coming with The Crew.

Aug. 3 - Brian McBride, Brian Maisonneuve and John Harkes compete for the U.S. National Team in the Pepsi MLS All-Star Game vs. the MLS Stars.

Sept. 3 - Edson Buddle is named MLS Player of the Month for August.

Sept. 8 - The U.S. Women's National Team defeats Scotland, 8-2, at Crew Stadium in the first-ever meeting between the two countries.

Sept. 10 - The Crew comes from behind in dramatic and improbable fashion to defeat K.C., 3-2 in OT, in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal at Crew Stadium, after trailing 2-0 through 75 minutes.

Oct. 16 - Midfielder Kyle Martino is named MLS Rookie of the Year, the first Crew player ever so honored.

Oct. 19 - Jeff Cunningham is named to the MLS Pepsi Best 11 team.

Oct. 24 - The Crew wins its first-ever championship, defeating Los Angeles 1-0 to win the U.S. Open Cup title at Columbus Crew Stadium, behind Freddy Garcia's goal and Jon Busch's shutout.

Dec. - Brian McBride is one of four MLS players featured in the December issue of Vanity Fair.

Dec. 16 - Crew all-time great Robert Warzycha announces his retirement and becomes a full-time assistant coach after spending 2002 as a player/assistant.

Dec. 18 - Brian McBride signs a multi-year extension to keep him with The Crew through 2005 and beyond.

Jan. 6 - Jim Launder, former University of Wisconsin and University of Dayton head coach, is named an assistant coach.

Jan. 10 - Brian McBride begins successful, three-month loan spell with Everton of the English Premier League, which sees him score four goals in eight games.

Feb. 19 - Brian McBride and his wife Dina grace the pages of the 2003 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

March 7 - U.S. World Cup and Olympic team veteran Frankie Hejduk signed.

March 13 - Veteran MLS All-Star midfielder Ross Paule acquired from the MetroStars, in exchange for Chris Leitch and Jeff Matteo.

April 5 - The Crew opens its eighth MLS season with a 1-1 tie against the defending MLS Cup champion L.A. Galaxy at Crew Stadium on MLS "Opening Day." The game is televised nationally on ABC Sports.

April 16 - Crew defeats Monarcas Morelia of Mexico, 2-0, at Crew Stadium, but is eliminated from the CONCACAF Champion's Cup, 6-2 on aggregate, in the quarterfinal round. Columbus defeated Deportivo Arabe Unido of Panama in the Round of 16.

May 10 - Crew Stadium's Huntington Club is dedicated. Located on the mezzanine level in the southeast corner of the stadium, the fully enclosed, climate controlled, high-end hospitality space is utilized for exclusive group functions during Crew matches and other stadium events.

May 10 - Jeff Cunningham becomes the 14th player in MLS history to score his 50th career goal in a 2-0 win over Colorado.

June 7 - The Home Depot Center opens in Carson, Calif., becoming the second major-league soccer-specific stadium to open in the U.S. (after Crew Stadium).

July 5 - Crew players, coaches and team staff receive their 2002 U.S. Open Cup championship rings in an on-field ceremony prior to game vs. Dallas.

July 6 - The U.S. Men's National Team, including Brian McBride and Frankie Hejduk of The Crew, defeats Paraguay, 2-0, in a friendly at Crew Stadium.

Sept. 20, 24, 28 - Crew Stadium plays host to three first-round doubleheaders in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. The U.S. defeats North Korea, 3-0, before a sellout crowd of 22,828 on Sept. 28.

Oct. 19 - Battling a respiratory infection, Brian McBride comes off the bench to score the 59th and 60th goals of his MLS career, the latter a dramatic game-winner in the final minute of OT at D.C.

Jan. 14 - Goalkeeper Tom Presthus retires months after "Tommy John" surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Jan. 16 - Crew selects Chad Marshall (No. 2 overall) and MAC Hermann Trophy winner Chris Wingert (No. 12) in the first round of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft.

Jan. 20 - Brian McBride transferred to Fulham F.C. of the English Premier League, following eight standout seasons in Columbus.

Jan. 29 - Former New England Revolution assistant John Murphy is named an assistant coach.

Feb. 18 - The Dallas Burn breaks ground on a soccer-specific stadium in Frisco, Texas, due to open in 2005.

Feb. 28 - Defender Mike Clark, The Crew's all-time games-played leader and a member of the team since the inaugural 1996 season, retires.

April 3 - The Crew opens its ninth season by welcoming the MetroStars to Crew Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. match.

May 15 - Crew Stadium celebrates its fifth anniversary with a 4 p.m. match between The Crew and New England Revolution, the same two teams who opened the facility on May 15, 1999.

June 13 - The U.S. defeats Grenada, 3-0, at Crew Stadium in its 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying opener.

June 21 - Crew specialty license plates, featuring the club's logo, are introduced by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

July 9 - President/GM Jim Smith departs for an executive position with the NFL Atlanta Falcons and Crew Stadium GM Mark McCullers is named Interim GM.

July 14 - Real Salt Lake admitted to MLS as an expansion team for the 2005 season.

July 22 - Crew wins rights to 17-year-old U.S. youth national team star Danny Szetela in a weighted lottery televised live on ESPN News.

Aug. 2 - CD Chivas USA admitted to MLS as an expansion team for the 2005 season.

Sept. 18 - Edson Buddle establishes a new club record for goals in a game, scoring every Crew goal in a 4-2 win over the MetroStars.

Oct. 6 - Crew defeats Chicago, 1-0, to clinch first-ever regular-season Eastern Conference title and run unbeaten streak to 16 games, setting new league record.

Oct. 17 - Crew ties Colorado, 1-1, in regular-season finale to extend its MLS-record unbeaten streak to 18 games (8-0-10) and clinch Supporters Shield, won by the team with the top overall regular-season record (12-5-13, 49 pts.).

Nov. 10 - MLS, Soccer United Marketing and adidas announce exclusive 10-year partnership, making adidas official athletic sponsor and licensed product supplier. The partnership incorporates every aspect of the game, from product creation, to grassroots programs, television rights and retail distribution.

Nov. 12 - Greg Andrulis is named MLS Coach of the Year, making him the first Crew coach so honored, and Robin Fraser is named MLS Defender of the Year.

Nov. 13 - Defender Robin Fraser named to RadioShack Best XI team.

Nov. 17 - The U.S. ties Jamaica, 1-1, at Crew Stadium in CONCACAF semifinal-round qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Nov. 19 - Defender Nelson Akwari and forward Erick Scott are selected by Real Salt Lake in the 2004 MLS Expansion Draft.

Nov. 30 - The Chicago Fire breaks ground on a soccer-specific stadium in the Village of Bridgeview, ulimately opened in 2006.

Dec. 4 - Former head coach Tom Fitzgerald is killed in a motorcycle accident in Tampa, Fla.

Jan. 19 - Mark McCullers has the "interim" removed from his title and is officially appointed General Manager.

Jan. 27 - Eddie Carvacho named assistant coach/goalkeeper coach.

Jan. 27 - Crew and the Ohio South Youth Soccer Association (OSYSA) announce multi-year partnership agreement that includes technical development, sponsorship development and promotional opportunities for both parties.

Jan. 31 - Brian Maisonneuve, the last remaining active player from the inaugural 1996 season, announces his retirement after battling ankle injuries for years.

March 27 - Ohio News Network becomes the local TV home of the Crew as part of broader three-year partnership with Dispatch Printing Company.

April 2 - Crew opens its 10th season with 3-0 win over L.A. at Crew Stadium, extending league-record regular-season unbeaten streak to 19 games (9-0-10).

April 15 - MLS announces ratification of the first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in league history by the MLS Players Union. Agreement to run through 2009 MLS season.

May 30 - Danny Szetela named to U.S. Unter-20 National Team roster for 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in Holland by head coach Sigi Schmid.

July 12 - Head coach Greg Andrulis relieved of duties. Assistant coach Robert Warzycha named interim head coach.

July 16 - Crew earns 1-1 tie at Chicago in Robert Warzycha's head coaching debut. Rookie midfielder Eric Vasquez scores the lone goal in his first professional game.

July 27 - Crew defeats Fulham FC of the English Premier League, 2-1, at Crew Stadium in an international exhibition against former star Brian McBride's team.

July 30 - MLS All-Stars defeat Fulham FC of the English Premier League, 4-1, before a sellout crowd of 23,309 at Crew Stadium in the 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game.

Aug. 6 - Pizza Hut Park, the new home of FC Dallas and the league's third soccer-specific stadium, opens in Frisco, Texas.

Sept. 3 - U.S. Men's National Team defeats Mexico, 2-0, before a sellout crowd of 24,685 at Crew Stadium in a final-round CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier.

Sept. 16 - Crew Founder Lamar Hunt honored at the U.S. Soccer Foundation's 2005 banquet with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Oct. 20 - Sigi Schmid named the fifth head coach in Crew history. Interim head coach Robert Warzycha accepts offer to remain as Schmid's top assistant.

Nov. 9 - Captain Robin Fraser, one of the most respected and decorated defenders in league history, announces his retirement.

Nov. 11 - Former Crew star Brian McBride named to the RadioShack All-Time Major League Soccer Best XI team.

Dec. 15 - AEG announces that Houston is the new home of the San Jose Earthquakes. Quakes' name, colors and competition records have been retained by MLS for prospective future expansion team.

Jan. 30 - Crew names promotion marketing agency Ryan Partnership as its agency of record for marketing services, advertising and promotions.

Feb. 17 - Strategic partnership with AEG LIVE to exclusively book and co-promote concerts at Crew Stadium is announced. The first of those concerts will be The Road & Radio Tour, featuring Kenny Chesney, on Saturday, May 27.

March 9 - Red Bull Company Limited, the Austrian energy drink company, finalizes agreement to purchase the MetroStars and partner with AEG on the construction of the team's soccer-specific stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. With the purchase, the team was renamed the New York Red Bulls.

March 10 - Announces that The Brew @ 105.7 (WBWR-FM), will serve as the Crew's new English radio home.

April 20 - Crew honored with a Central Ohio Emerald Award in the "Partnership" category, by the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), at its inaugural ceremony.

May 3 - Frankie Hejduk is diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee, one day after being named to the USA's 23-man roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

May 11 - Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Major League Soccer unveil Toronto FC as the city's newest professional sports team. Toronto became the 13th MLS team and the first outside of the United States.

June 9 - Crew Stadium holds viewing parties for all 64 2006 FIFA World Cup games.

July 26 - The Crew battles Everton of the English Premier League to a 1-1 tie in an international exhibition at Crew Stadium, making its record in friendlies vs. teams from the English Premier League 2-0-2.

July 31 - Fox Soccer Channel inks new five-year programming deal with Soccer United Marketing (SUM) that includes live and exclusive English-language rights to a selection of Major League Soccer (MLS), international friendlies and U.S. Men's and Women's National Team matches through 2010.

Aug. 6 - ESPN Inc. reaches comprehensive multimedia agreement with Soccer United Marketing (SUM) for Major League Soccer rights through 2014.

Sept. 25 - Soccer United Marketing (SUM) reaches comprehensive agreement with Univision Communications Inc. for the broadcast rights to Major League Soccer and other top soccer properties through 2014.

Nov. 11 - Major League Soccer's Board of Governors unveils details of the 2007 MLS competition structure, including the implementation of a Designated Player Rule. That rule allows MLS clubs to sign players whose salary will fall outside of the team salary budget and whose cost above the salary budget charge will be the financial responsibility of the club. A Designated Player's salary charge will be capped at $400,000, but his salary could be higher.

Nov. 14 - Crew Stadium is resodded, with an entirely new natural playing surface being installed for the first time in its nearly eight-year history.

Dec. 14 - Crew Founder Lamar Hunt, one of the most renown pioneers in American sports history, died following an eight-year battle with prostate cancer.