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]
← 2011
2013 →

The 2012 Columbus Crew season was 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 opened their 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

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad correct as of March 23, 2012.[4]

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

Source: Columbus Crew Official Website

Competitions

Preseason

February 8, 2012 Columbus Crew 1–2 Malmö Bradenton, Florida USA
11:00 EST Renteria 1' Report Ranegie 24'
Durmaz 29'		 Stadium: IMG Academy
February 11, 2012 Columbus Crew 6–0 United States U-17 Bradenton, 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 Crew 4–0 United States U-17 Bradenton, Florida USA
12:00 EST George 3'
Horton 21'
Heinemann 39', 53'		 Report Stadium: IMG Academy
February 15, 2012 Seattle Sounders FC 2–0 Columbus Crew Bradenton, Florida USA
11:00 EST Hurtado Yellow card 10' Yellow-red card 13'
Alonso Yellow card 12'
Montero 54'
Gonzalez Yellow card 68'
Sanyang Red card 82'
Cato 114'		 Report Anor Yellow card 29'
Tchani Yellow card 38'
Anor Red card 60'
Heinemann Yellow card 118'		 Stadium: IMG Academy

Carolina Challenge Cup

Main article: 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup
February 25, 2012 Charleston Battery 2–2 Columbus Crew Charleston, South Carolina USA
19:15 EST Falvey Yellow card 30'
Kelly 40'
Flatley Yellow card 42'
Cuevas 89'		 Report Gaven 6'
Mendes Yellow card 45'
Mirosevic 58'
Tchani Yellow card 61'
Mendes Yellow card 89' Red card		 Stadium: Blackbaud Stadium
February 29, 2012 Columbus Crew 0–1 Chicago Fire Charleston, South Carolina USA
17:00 EST Tchani Yellow card 73' Report Sanyang Yellow card 38'
Segares Yellow card 75'
Puppo 80'		 Stadium: Blackbaud Stadium
February 29, 2012 D.C. United cancelled Columbus Crew Charleston, 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 T GF GA GD Pts
4 Chicago Fire 34 17 11 6 46 41 +5 57 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
Source: MLS
Overall table
Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
8 LA Galaxy (C) 34 16 12 6 59 47 +12 54 CONCACAF Champions League
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 CONCACAF Champions League
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) goal difference; 4) number of goals scored
(C) MLS Cup Champion

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld Pts W L T GF GA GD W L T GF GA GD W L T GF GA GD
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
StadiumAHAHAHHAHAAHAAHAHHAAHHAHAHAAHAHHAH
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 1 Colorado Rapids 2–0 Columbus Crew Commerce City, CO
18:00 EDT Moor 44'
Amarikwa 89'		 Report Mirosevic Yellow card 40'
Vargas Yellow card 72'
Wynne Yellow card 80'
Renteria Yellow card 80'		 Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 14,746
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
March 24, 2012 2 Columbus Crew 2–0 Montreal Impact Columbus, OH
16:00 EDT Mirosevic 30'
Vargas 66'
Urso Yellow card 69'
Francis Yellow card 85'		 Report Brovsky Red card 19'
Nyassi Yellow card 29'
Gardner Yellow card 34'
Warner Yellow card 52'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 18,197
Referee: Mark Geiger
March 31, 2012 3 Toronto FC 0–1 Columbus Crew Toronto, Ontario
14:00 EDT de Guzman Yellow card 74' Report Gaven Yellow card 45'
Anor 56'
Schoenfeld Yellow card 86'		 Stadium: BMO Field
Attendance: 18,944
Referee: Geoff Gamble
April 7, 2012 4 Columbus Crew 1–4 New York Red Bulls Columbus, OH
15:00 EDT Anor Yellow card 53'
Marshall 89'		 Report Cooper 3', 13'
Henry 40', 90'
Keel Yellow card 60'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 11,516
Referee: Mark Kadlecik
April 14, 2012 5 Philadelphia Union 1–0 Columbus Crew Chester, PA
15:30 EDT Gómez Yellow card 25' 38'
Carroll Yellow card 45+3'
Farfan Yellow card 71'
Martínez Yellow card 85'		 Report Gehrig Yellow card 70'
Gaven Yellow card 78'		 Stadium: PPL Park
Attendance: 18,526
Referee: Michael Kennedy
April 21, 2012 6 Columbus Crew 2–2 Houston Dynamo Columbus, OH
19:30 EDT Tchani Yellow card 17'
Gaven 63', 74'		 Report Hainault Yellow card 55'
Bruin 59'
Ching 88'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 10,479
Referee: Chris Penso
April 28, 2012 7 Columbus Crew 0–1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Columbus, OH
19:30 EDT Chad Marshall Yellow card 81'
Danny O'Rourke Yellow card 87'		 Report Jordan Harvey Yellow card 50'
Gershon Koffie Yellow card 67'
Lee Young-Pyo 74'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 11,978
Referee: Elias Bazakos
May 5, 2012 8 Portland Timbers 0–0 Columbus Crew Portland, OR
22:30 EDT Lovel Palmer Yellow card 50'
Franck Songo'o Yellow card 75'
Diego Chara Yellow card 77'		 Report Sebastián Miranda Yellow card 57' Stadium: JELD-WEN Field
Attendance: 20,438
Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
May 12, 2012 9 Columbus Crew 2–1 FC Dallas Columbus, OH
19:30 EDT Justin Meram Yellow card 52'
Justin Meram 67'
Sebastian Miranda 72'
Milovan Mirosevic Yellow card 80'		 Report Fabian Castillo 74'
Zach Loyd Yellow card 43'
Andrew Jacobson Yellow card 45'
Fabian Castillo Yellow card 60'
Zach Loyd Yellow card 63' Red card		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 11,120
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
May 19, 2012 10 San Jose Earthquakes 1–1 Columbus Crew Santa Clara, CA
22:30 EDT Report Stadium: Buck Shaw Stadium
Attendance: 10,256
Referee: Juan Guzman
May 23, 2012 11 Seattle Sounders FC 0–2 Columbus Crew Seattle, WA
22:00 EDT Justin Meram 15'
Dilly DukaYellow card 47'
Carlos MendesYellow card 71'
Emilio Renteria 76'		 [1] Marc BurchYellow card 85'
OsvaldoYellow card 88'		 Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Attendance: 38,311
Referee: Geoff Gamble
May 26, 2012 12 Columbus Crew 2–1 Chicago Fire Columbus, OH
19:00 EDT Eddie Gaven 9'
Emilio Renteria 43'
Bernardo AnorYellow card 67'		 [2] Austin Berry 72' Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 16,024
Referee: Allen Chapman
June 16, 2012 13 New England Revolution 0–0 Columbus Crew Foxborough, Massachusetts
19:30 EDT A.J. SoaresYellow card 21'
Jose MorenoYellow card 43'		 Report Sebastian MirandaYellow card 62' Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 12,218
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
June 23, 2012 14 Chicago Fire 2–1 Columbus Crew Bridgeview, IL
20:30 EDT Pappa 2'
Oduro 26'
Segares Red card 29'
Gargan Yellow card 85'		 Report Tchani 36'
George Yellow card 66'
Schoenfeld Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: TOYOTA Park
Attendance: 17,144
Referee: United States Armando Villarreal
June 30, 2012 15 Columbus Crew 2–0 Real Salt Lake Columbus, OH
20:00 EDT Tchani 16'
Vuković Yellow card 38'
Gaven 43'
George Yellow card 82'		 Report Espíndola Yellow card 57'
Steele Yellow card 67'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 19,674
Referee: Canada Geoff Gamble
July 8, 2012 16 Montreal Impact 2–1 Columbus Crew Montreal, QC
19:30 EDT Nyassi Yellow card 44'
Warner Yellow card 68'
Valentin 78'
Bernier 89'		 Report Vuković Yellow card 3'
Tchani Yellow card 39'
Mirosevic 64'
Renteria Yellow card 68'		 Stadium: Saputo Stadium
Attendance: 15,118
Referee: Matthew Foerster
July 14, 2012 17 Columbus Crew 0–2 Sporting Kansas City Columbus, OH
19:30 EDT Anor Yellow card 9'
Rentería Yellow card 69'
Birchall Yellow card 83'		 Report Peterson 7'
Joseph Yellow card 57'
Paulo Nagamura Yellow card 69'
Bunbury 82'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 17,588
Referee: United States Edwin Jurisevic
July 21, 2012 18 Columbus Crew 1–0 D.C. United Columbus, OH
19:30 EDT Chris Burchall 46'
Sebastian Miranda Yellow card 67'		 Report Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 17, 150
Referee: Chris Penso
July 28, 2012 19 Sporting Kansas City 1–2 Columbus Crew Kansas City, KS
20:30 EDT Kamara 8' Report Arrieta 17', 34'
Grossman Yellow card 90' Yellow-red card 90+1'		 Stadium: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
Attendance: 18,938
Referee: Dave Gantar
August 4, 2012 20 D.C. United 1–0 Columbus Crew Washington, D.C.
20:40 EDT Pontius 50'
Neal Yellow card 74'		 Report Duka Yellow card 24'
Meram Yellow card 28'		 Stadium: Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 14,640
Referee: Allen Chapman
August 16, 2012 21 Columbus Crew 1–1 LA Galaxy Columbus, OH
20:05 EDT Arrieta 48' Report Keane 64'
Marcelo Sarvas Yellow card 88'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 17,019
Referee: Edwin Jurisevic
August 19, 2012 22 Houston Dynamo 2–2 Columbus Crew Houston
21:10 EDT Davis 19'
Moffat 82'		 Report Grossman 33'
Duka Yellow card 40'
Gaven 58'
Higuaín Yellow card 79'		 Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium
Referee: Drew Fischer
August 22, 2012 23 Columbus Crew 2–1 Toronto FC Columbus, OH
20:30 EDT Gaven 4'
Higuaín Yellow card 20' 58'		 Report O'Dea Yellow card 69'
Silva 71'
Morgan Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 10,049
Referee: Sorin Stoica
August 25, 2012 24 Columbus Crew 4–3 New England Revolution Columbus, OH
20:30 EDT Higuaín 26', 43'
Arrieta 32', 86'		 Report Guy 17'
Bengtson 23'
Alston Yellow card 70'
Nguyen 80' (pen.)		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 13,651
Referee: Armando Villarreal
August 29, 2012 25 Philadelphia Union 1–2 Columbus Crew Chester, Pennsylvania
20:00 EDT Valdés 29'
Hoppenot Yellow card 69'		 Summary Birchall Yellow card 28'
Williams 41' Red card 68'
Gaven 90+5'		 Stadium: PPL Park
Attendance: 16,568
Referee: Yader Reyes
September 1, 2012 26 Columbus Crew 2–1 Montreal Impact Columbus, OH
20:30 EDT O'Rourke Yellow card 18'
Marshall 80'
Rentería 90+3'		 Summary Warner Yellow card 24'
Di Vaio 73'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 12,522
Referee: Chris Penso
September 5, 2012 27 New England Revolution 2–0 Columbus Crew Foxborough, Massachusetts
21:00 EDT Imbongo 53', Yellow card 53'
Marshall 74' (og)		 Report O'Rourke Yellow card 94+' Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 10,345
Referee: Geoff Gamble
September 15, 2012 28 New York Red Bulls 3–1 Columbus Crew Harrison, New Jersey
20:00 EDT Henry 9' 93'
Cahill Yellow card 56'
McCarty 79'		 Report Mirosevic 3'
James Yellow card 49'		 Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 17,134
Referee: Abiodun Okulaja
September 19, 2012 29 Columbus Crew 1–0 Chivas USA Columbus, OH
20:30 EDT Meram 89'Yellow card 90' Report Minda Yellow card 75'
Valencia Yellow card 86'
Correa Yellow card 90'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 13,874
Referee: Jorge Gonzalez
September 22, 2012 30 Chicago Fire 2–1 Columbus Crew Bridgeview, Illinois
21:30 EDT Rolfe 23', 26' Report Arrieta 15' Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 19,172
Referee: Michael Kennedy
September 29, 2012 31 Columbus Crew 3–2 Philadelphia Union Columbus, OH
20:30 EDT Arrieta 44', 45+5'
O'Rourke Yellow card 61'
Gruenebaum Yellow card 65'
Mirošević 88'		 Summary Okugo Yellow card 45+3'
Cruz 65' (pen.)
McInerney 86'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 14,673
Referee: Matthew Foerster
October 7, 2012 32 Columbus Crew 1–1 Sporting Kansas City Columbus, OH
16:00 EDT James Yellow card 67'
Gaven 90+1'		 Summary Sapong 10' Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 13,566
Referee: Mark Geiger
October 20, 2012 33 D.C. United 3–2 Columbus Crew Washington, D.C.
20:30 EDT Nick DeLeon 39'
Marcelo Saragosa 59'
Lewis Neal 90+1'		 Summary Jairo Arrieta Yellow card 4'
Eddie Gaven 7'
Carlos Mendes Yellow card 26'
Jairo Arrieta 41'
Josh Williams Yellow card 59'		 Stadium: Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 19.647
Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
October 28, 2012 34 Columbus Crew 2–1 Toronto FC Columbus, OH
16:00 EDT Higuaín 17', 61' (pen.) Summary Wiedeman 27'
Dunfield Yellow card 61'		 Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 15,672
Referee: Drew Fischer

U.S. Open Cup

Main article: 2012 U.S. Open Cup
May 29, 2012 R3 Columbus Crew 1–2 Dayton Dutch Lions Columbus, Ohio
19:30 EST Finlay Yellow card 45+'
Vargas 61' (pen.)		 Report Bardsley Yellow card 33' 81'
Bartels 79'
Knotek Yellow card 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 Crew 5–1 Michigan State Spartans Columbus, Ohio
TBD EST Mirošević 4', 54'
Vargas 33', 58'
Urso 59'		 Report Montague 85' Stadium: Crew Stadium
March 17, 2012 Columbus Crew 1–0 West Virginia Mountaineers Columbus, Ohio
TBD EST Horton 49' Report Stadium: Crew Stadium
July 24, 2012 Columbus Crew 2–1 Stoke City F.C. Columbus, Ohio
7:30 EST Horton 71'
Speas 87'		 Report Walters 23' Stadium: Crew Stadium
Attendance: 8,976

Statistics

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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. ^ "All-Time Attendance | Columbus Crew SC". Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  2. ^ "Columbus Crew Schedule".
  3. ^ "Massive Report > Data > Season".
  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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