2012 Columbus Crew season

The 2012 Columbus Crew season is the club's nineteenth year of existence, as well as their seventeenth season in Major League Soccer, and their seventeenth consecutive season in the top-flight of American soccer.

Columbus Crew
2012 season
OwnerClark Hunt
Head CoachRobert Warzycha
Major League SoccerConference: 6th
Overall: 10th
MLS CupDNQ
U.S. Open CupThird round
Trillium CupWinners (5 - 2)
Lamar Hunt Pioneer CupWinners (2 - 1)
Carolina Challenge CupThird Place
Highest home attendance19,674 vs. Real Salt Lake
(30 June 2012, Major League Soccer)
Lowest home attendance10,049 vs. Toronto FC
(22 August 2012, Major League Soccer)
Average home league attendance14,397 [1]

Columbus opened its 2012 campaign against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on March 10, 2012.[2]

Background
Main article: 2011 Columbus Crew season

Review

[3] The Crew missed the playoffs in 2012 for the first time since 2007, marking a further step backwards from the height of 2008. The roster moves which took place leading into the season were ultimately unsuccessful, with both high-profile signings - Milovan Mirosevic and Olman Vargas - playing only a single season for the club.

The lackluster performance of Vargas and Mirosevic led the team to a series of midseason signings, which nearly salvaged the season. Costa Rican forward Jairo Arrieta joined the team in June, while Argentine midfielder Federico Higuain signed a Designated Player contract a month later. The tandem revitalized the Crew's offense, leading to a 4-game winning streak and thoughts of post-season glory. After this initial honeymoon, however, the team's performance declined; the team just missed out on a playoff berth.

After the season, coach Robert Warzycha began yet another rebuilding effort, jettisoning several veteran players including William Hesmer, Sebastian Miranda and Emilio Renteria.

The year's most significant event, however, had nothing to do with on-field performance. Rookie midfielder Kirk Urso collapsed and died on August 5 from a genetic heart defect (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy), providing an emotional rallying cry for the remainder of the season and beyond.

Roster

Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth. Squad correct as of March 23, 2012.[4]

No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper William Hesmer  United States
2 Defender Rich Balchan  United States
3 Defender Josh Williams  United States
4 Defender Carlos Mendes  United States
5 Defender Danny O'Rourke  United States
6 Midfielder Tony Tchani  Cameroon
7 Midfielder Bernardo Anor  Venezuela
9 Forward Justin Meram  United States
10 Midfielder Milovan Mirošević  Chile
11 Midfielder Dilly Duka  United States
12 Midfielder Eddie Gaven  United States
13 Midfielder Ethan Finlay  United States
14 Defender Chad Marshall (Captain)  United States
15 Midfielder Kirk Urso  United States
16 Defender Eric Gehrig  United States
17 Forward Olman Vargas  Costa Rica
18 Forward Ben Speas (HGP)  United States
19 Forward Tom Heinemann  United States
20 Forward Emilio Rentería  Venezuela
21 Defender Sebastián Miranda  Chile
22 Midfielder Cole Grossman  United States
23 Defender Korey Veeder  United States
26 Defender Julius James  Trinidad and Tobago
27 Forward Aaron Horton (HGP)  United States
28 Goalkeeper Matt Lampson (HGP)  United States
29 Defender Shaun Francis  Jamaica
30 Goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum  United States
32 Defender Nemanja Vuković  Montenegro
34 Forward Aaron Schoenfeld  United States
36 Defender Aubrey Perry  United States
37 Midfielder Kevan George  Trinidad and Tobago
— Forward Jairo Arrieta  Costa Rica
Position Staff
Head Coach Robert Warzycha
Assistant Coach Ricardo Iribarren
Assistant Coach Mike Lapper
Goalkeeper Coach Scoop Stanisic
General Manager Mark McCullers
Technical Director Brian Bliss
Director of Team Operations Tucker Walther
Strength/Fitness Coach Mike Tremble
Athletic Trainer David Lagow
Equipment Manager Rusty Wummel

Source: Columbus Crew Official Website

Competitions

Preseason
February 8, 2012 Columbus Crew1–2MalmöBradenton, Florida USA
11:00 EST Renteria  1' Report Ranegie  24'
Durmaz  29'		 Stadium: IMG Academy
February 11, 2012 Columbus Crew6–0United States U-17Bradenton, Florida USA
10:00 EST Gaven  8', 15'
Mirosevic  27' (pen.)
Renteria  33'
Meram  51'
Vargas  57'		 Report Stadium: IMG Academy
February 11, 2012 Columbus Crew4–0United States U-17Bradenton, Florida USA
12:00 EST George  3'
Horton  21'
Heinemann  39', 53'		 Report Stadium: IMG Academy
February 15, 2012 Seattle Sounders FC2–0Columbus CrewBradenton, Florida USA
11:00 EST Hurtado  10'  13'
Alonso  12'
Montero  54'
Gonzalez  68'
Sanyang  82'
Cato  114'		 Report Anor  29'
Tchani  38'
Anor  60'
Heinemann  118'		 Stadium: IMG Academy

Carolina Challenge Cup
Main article: 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup
February 25, 2012 Charleston Battery2–2Columbus CrewCharleston, South Carolina USA
19:15 EST Falvey  30'
Kelly  40'
Flatley  42'
Cuevas  89'		 Report Gaven  6'
Mendes  45'
Mirosevic  58'
Tchani  61'
Mendes  89' 		 Stadium: Blackbaud Stadium
February 29, 2012 Columbus Crew0–1Chicago FireCharleston, South Carolina USA
17:00 EST Tchani  73' Report Sanyang  38'
Segares  75'
Puppo  80'		 Stadium: Blackbaud Stadium
February 29, 2012 D.C. UnitedcancelledColumbus CrewCharleston, South Carolina USA
17:00 EST Stadium: Blackbaud Stadium

MLS
Main article: 2012 Major League Soccer season

Standings
Eastern Conference
Pos Team Pld W L D GF GA GD Pts
4 Chicago Fire 34 17 11 6 46 41 +5 57 2012 MLS Cup Knockout Round
5 Houston Dynamo 34 14 9 11 48 41 +7 53
6 Columbus Crew 34 15 12 7 44 44 0 52
7 Montreal Impact 34 12 16 6 45 51 −6 42
8 Philadelphia Union 34 10 18 6 37 45 −8 36
Updated to match(es) played on 18:04 EDT October 28, 2012. Source: MLS

(E1) = Eastern Conference champion

Overall table
Pos Team Pld W L D GF GA GD Pts
8 LA Galaxy 34 16 12 6 59 47 +12 54 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League 1
9 Houston Dynamo 34 14 9 11 48 41 +7 53
10 Columbus Crew 34 15 12 7 44 44 0 52
11 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 34 11 13 10 35 41 −6 43
12 Montreal Impact 34 12 16 6 45 51 −6 42
Updated to match(es) played on October 28, 2012. Source: MLSSoccer.com

(SS) = Supporters Shield winner

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldPtsWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGD
34 52 15 12 7 44 44  0 11 3 3 28 21  +7 4 9 4 16 23  −7

Last updated: 28 October 2012
Source: Columbus Crew
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Results by round
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
GroundAHAHAHHAHAAHAAHAHHAAHHAHAHAAHAHHAH
ResultLWWLLTLTWTWWTLWLLWWLTTWWWWLLWLWTLW
Position18138111616171716171615161611131312121212121212991010101010101010
Updated to match(es) played on October 28, 2012. Source: MLS
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; L = Loss; T = Tie

Match results
March 10, 2012 1Colorado Rapids2–0Columbus CrewCommerce City, CO
18:00 EDT Moor  44'
Amarikwa  89'		 Report Mirosevic  40'
Vargas  72'
Wynne  80'
Renteria  80'		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 14,746
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
March 24, 2012 2Columbus Crew2–0Montreal ImpactColumbus, OH
16:00 EDT Mirosevic  30'
Vargas  66'
Urso  69'
Francis  85'		 Report Brovsky  19'
Nyassi  29'
Gardner  34'
Warner  52'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 18,197
Referee: Mark Geiger
March 31, 2012 3Toronto FC0–1Columbus CrewToronto, Ontario
14:00 EDT de Guzman  74' Report Gaven  45'
Anor  56'
Schoenfeld  86'		 Stadium: BMO Field
Attendance: 18,944
Referee: Geoff Gamble
April 7, 2012 4Columbus Crew1–4New York Red BullsColumbus, OH
15:00 EDT Anor  53'
Marshall  89'		 Report Cooper  3', 13'
Henry  40', 90'
Keel  60'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 11,516
Referee: Mark Kadlecik
April 14, 2012 5Philadelphia Union1–0Columbus CrewChester, PA
15:30 EDT Gómez  25'  38'
Carroll  45+3'
Farfan  71'
Martínez  85'		 Report Gehrig  70'
Gaven  78'		 Stadium: PPL Park
Attendance: 18,526
Referee: Michael Kennedy
April 21, 2012 6Columbus Crew2–2Houston DynamoColumbus, OH
19:30 EDT Tchani  17'
Gaven  63', 74'		 Report Hainault  55'
Bruin  59'
Ching  88'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 10,479
Referee: Chris Penso
April 28, 2012 7Columbus Crew0–1Vancouver Whitecaps FCColumbus, OH
19:30 EDT Chad Marshall  81'
Danny O'Rourke  87'		 Report Jordan Harvey  50'
Gershon Koffie  67'
Lee Young-Pyo 74'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 11,978
Referee: Elias Bazakos
May 5, 2012 8Portland Timbers0–0Columbus CrewPortland, OR
22:30 EDT Lovel Palmer  50'
Franck Songo'o  75'
Diego Chara  77'		 Report Sebastián Miranda  57' Stadium: JELD-WEN Field
Attendance: 20,438
Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
May 12, 2012 9Columbus Crew2–1FC DallasColumbus, OH
19:30 EDT Justin Meram  52'
Justin Meram 67'
Sebastian Miranda 72'
Milovan Mirosevic  80'		 Report Fabian Castillo 74'
Zach Loyd  43'
Andrew Jacobson  45'
Fabian Castillo  60'
Zach Loyd  63' 		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 11,120
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
May 19, 2012 10San Jose Earthquakes1–1Columbus CrewSanta Clara, CA
22:30 EDT Report Stadium: Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 10,256
Referee: Juan Guzman
May 23, 2012 11Seattle Sounders FC0–2Columbus CrewSeattle, WA
22:00 EDT Justin Meram 15'
Dilly Duka 47'
Carlos Mendes 71'
Emilio Renteria 76'		 Marc Burch 85'
Osvaldo 88'		 Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Attendance: 38,311
Referee: Geoff Gamble
May 26, 2012 12Columbus Crew2–1Chicago FireColumbus, OH
19:00 EDT Eddie Gaven 9'
Emilio Renteria 43'
Bernardo Anor 67'		 Austin Berry 72' Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 16,024
Referee: Allen Chapman
June 16, 2012 13New England Revolution0–0Columbus CrewFoxborough, Massachusetts
19:30 EDT A.J. Soares 21'
Jose Moreno 43'		 Report Sebastian Miranda 62' Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 12,218
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
June 23, 2012 14Chicago Fire2–1Columbus CrewBridgeview, IL
20:30 EDT Pappa  2'
Oduro  26'
Segares  29'
Gargan  85'		 Report Tchani  36'
George  66'
Schoenfeld  90'		 Stadium: TOYOTA Park
Attendance: 17,144
Referee: Armando Villarreal
June 30, 2012 15Columbus Crew2–0Real Salt LakeColumbus, OH
20:00 EDT Tchani  16'
Vuković  38'
Gaven  43'
George  82'		 Report Espíndola  57'
Steele  67'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 19,674
Referee: Geoff Gamble
July 8, 2012 16Montreal Impact2–1Columbus CrewMontreal, QC
19:30 EDT Nyassi  44'
Warner  68'
Valentin  78'
Bernier  89'		 Report Vuković  3'
Tchani  39'
Mirosevic  64'
Renteria  68'		 Stadium: Saputo Stadium
Attendance: 15,118
Referee: Matthew Foerster
July 14, 2012 17Columbus Crew0–2Sporting Kansas CityColumbus, OH
19:30 EDT Anor  9'
Rentería  69'
Birchall  83'		 Report Peterson  7'
Joseph  57'
Paulo Nagamura  69'
Bunbury  82'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 17,588
Referee: Edwin Jurisevic
July 21, 2012 18Columbus Crew1–0D.C. UnitedColumbus, OH
19:30 EDT Chris Burchall  46'
Sebastian Miranda  67'		 Report Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 17, 150
Referee: Chris Penso
July 28, 2012 19Sporting Kansas City1–2Columbus CrewKansas City, KS
20:30 EDT Kamara  8' Report Arrieta  17', 34'
Grossman  90'  90+1'		 Stadium: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
Attendance: 18,938
Referee: Dave Gantar
August 4, 2012 20D.C. United1–0Columbus CrewWashington, D.C.
20:40 EDT Pontius  50'
Neal  74'		 Report Duka  24'
Meram  28'		 Stadium: Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 14,640
Referee: Allen Chapman
August 16, 2012 21Columbus Crew1–1LA GalaxyColumbus, OH
20:05 EDT Arrieta  48' Report Keane  64'
Marcelo Sarvas  88'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 17,019
Referee: Edwin Jurisevic
August 19, 2012 22Houston Dynamo2–2Columbus CrewHouston
21:10 EDT Davis  19'
Moffat  82'		 Report Grossman  33'
Duka  40'
Gaven  58'
Higuaín  79'		 Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium
Referee: Drew Fischer
August 22, 2012 23Columbus Crew2–1Toronto FCColumbus, OH
20:30 EDT Gaven  4'
Higuaín  20'  58'		 Report O'Dea  69'
Silva  71'
Morgan  90'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 10,049
Referee: Sorin Stoica
August 25, 2012 24Columbus Crew4–3New England RevolutionColumbus, OH
20:30 EDT Higuaín  26', 43'
Arrieta  32', 86'		 Report Guy  17'
Bengtson  23'
Alston  70'
Nguyen  80' (pen.)		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 13,651
Referee: Armando Villarreal
August 29, 2012 25Philadelphia Union1–2Columbus CrewChester, Pennsylvania
20:00 EDT Valdés  29'
Hoppenot  69'		 Summary Birchall  28'
Williams  41'  68'
Gaven  90+5'		 Stadium: PPL Park
Attendance: 16,568
Referee: Yader Reyes
September 1, 2012 26Columbus Crew2–1Montreal ImpactColumbus, OH
20:30 EDT O'Rourke  18'
Marshall  80'
Rentería  90+3'		 Summary Warner  24'
Di Vaio  73'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 12,522
Referee: Chris Penso
September 5, 2012 27New England Revolution2–0Columbus CrewFoxborough, Massachusetts
21:00 EDT Imbongo  53',  53'
Marshall  74' (og)		 Report O'Rourke  94+' Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 10,345
Referee: Geoff Gamble
September 15, 2012 28New York Red Bulls3–1Columbus CrewHarrison, New Jersey
20:00 EDT Henry  9' 93'
Cahill  56'
McCarty  79'		 Report Mirosevic  3'
James  49'		 Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 17,134
Referee: Abiodun Okulaja
September 19, 2012 29Columbus Crew1–0Chivas USAColumbus, OH
20:30 EDT Meram  89' 90' Report Minda  75'
Valencia  86'
Correa  90'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 13,874
Referee: Jorge Gonzalez
September 22, 2012 30Chicago Fire2–1Columbus CrewBridgeview, Illinois
21:30 EDT Rolfe  23', 26' Report Arrieta  15' Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 19,172
Referee: Michael Kennedy
September 29, 2012 31Columbus Crew3–2Philadelphia UnionColumbus, OH
20:30 EDT Arrieta  44', 45+5'
O'Rourke  61'
Gruenebaum  65'
Mirošević  88'		 Summary Okugo  45+3'
Cruz  65' (pen.)
McInerney  86'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 14,673
Referee: Matthew Foerster
October 7, 2012 32Columbus Crew1–1Sporting Kansas CityColumbus, OH
16:00 EDT James  67'
Gaven  90+1'		 Summary Sapong  10' Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 13,566
Referee: Mark Geiger
October 20, 2012 33D.C. United3–2Columbus CrewWashington, D.C.
20:30 EDT Nick DeLeon  39'
Marcelo Saragosa  59'
Lewis Neal  90+1'		 Summary Jairo Arrieta  4'
Eddie Gaven  7'
Carlos Mendes  26'
Jairo Arrieta  41'
Josh Williams  59'		 Stadium: Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 19.647
Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
October 28, 2012 34Columbus Crew2–1Toronto FCColumbus, OH
16:00 EDT Higuaín  17', 61' (pen.) Summary Wiedeman  27'
Dunfield  61'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 15,672
Referee: Drew Fischer

U.S. Open Cup
Main article: 2012 U.S. Open Cup
May 29, 2012 R3Columbus Crew1–2Dayton Dutch LionsColumbus, Ohio
19:30 EST Finlay  45+'
Vargas  61' (pen.)		 Report Bardsley  33'  81'
Bartels  79'
Knotek  87'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium

MLS Cup Playoffs
Main article: 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs

The Columbus Crew failed to qualify for the playoffs in this season.

Friendlies
March 17, 2012 Columbus Crew5–1Michigan State SpartansColumbus, Ohio
TBD EST Mirošević  4', 54'
Vargas  33', 58'
Urso  59'		 Report Montague  85' Stadium: Crew Stadium
March 17, 2012 Columbus Crew1–0West Virginia MountaineersColumbus, Ohio
TBD EST Horton  49' Report Stadium: Crew Stadium

Statistics

Transfers
See also: List of Major League Soccer transfers 2012

In

Out

Loan in

Loan out

Miscellaneous

Allocation ranking

Columbus is in the #10 position in the MLS Allocation Ranking. The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a U.S. National Team player who signs with MLS after playing abroad, or a former MLS player who returns to the league after having gone to a club abroad for a transfer fee. A ranking can be traded, provided that part of the compensation received in return is another club's ranking.[5]

International roster spots

Columbus has 8 MLS International Roster Slots for use in the 2012 season. Each club in Major League Soccer is allocated 8 international roster spots and no Columbus trades have been reported.

Future draft pick trades

Future picks acquired: *2015 MLS SuperDraft Round 4 pick from Houston Dynamo.
Future picks traded: *2013 MLS Supplemental Draft conditional pick to Montreal Impact.

See also

References
  1. http://www.columbuscrewsc.com/media/all-time-attendance
  2. "Columbus Crew Schedule".
  3. http://massivereportdata.com/season/2012
  4. "Players | Columbus Crew". TheCrew.com. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  5. 2011 MLS Roster Rules | Major League Soccer Archived 2011-04-30 at the Wayback Machine
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