The Columbus Crew new logo project has gathered a lot of support and attention in the last month or so, mostly due to being featured on epically prominent design blog Brand New. We’ve had tons of smart, critical commentary, which led to this new and (in my opinion) improved version of the logo.

Using the community’s feedback, like-minded designer Brian Gundell voluntarily worked out many of the kinks in my initial idea. Together we came to this design, which I like because it’s true(r) to the original purpose of the project: create a conceptually identical logo that looks first-rate, clean and crisp. You can read about the details of this design in the photos section of our Facebook Group.

Lets start with the understanding that I am a Crew fan. I was at the first game in Ohio Stadium and went to multiple games this season. Having Chad Marshall on the Crew is nothing but a positive. Chad was MLS Defender of the Year for a reason and every team in MLS would take him in a second if they could.

Chad Marshall should have gone to Germany.

The offer made by both the Crew and Mainz were said to be close. So we can remove any variables with pay.

Next, lets look at each team and their prospects:

The Crew will have the majority of the same players as last year (though that might change as Sigi might convince some to follow him), but I assume the team will be the same. The Crew will have a new coach that has been with the team for years, so again, no real change here. We also know that he won’t have to fight for a starting place. An injury is the only thing that will keep Marshall off the field. Chad has nothing else to win or prove in the MLS. He has won the Cup and the MLS Defender of the Year.

Mainz on the other hand is in Bundesliga 2. Mainz is currently in 1st place and are favored to win promotion to the Bundesliga next season. While Marshall might not walk in and be given a starting position, he has the skill to gain that position. Next year he could be playing in the Bundesliga against the Bayern Munichs of the world. Unlike his current standing in the MLS, Marshall has much to gain. Playing in a more competitive league, and more European exposure.

The next argument is getting a place on the US National Team. Well, he has been with the Crew for years and has gained little notice of the national team bosses. I’m not saying you need to play in Europe to make the National team, because that is not true. Just look at the upcoming team and where the majority of them are currently playing…it is not MLS. The majority of the players on the 2010 World Cup Team will not be from the MLS, and we wont even get into the starting eleven.

In the end my argument is Chad Marshall has mastered MLS. He has nothing else to prove in the States. It is time to expand his resume and skill set by playing in a different county (and I’m not saying Europe is the only place to go).

Again, I’m glad the Crew have him for another season and I look forward to watching him live again next season.

Sigi Schmid is leaving. Tears.

When I first read the headline that the MLS is considering making changes to the format and Cup Final, I was thinking (hoping) more European-ish type system. Not so much.

The final was in California this year and both teams were from the east side of the country. While the event was considered a “sell-out”, there were still a number of vacant seats in the crowd. The first recommendation is to allow the strongest regular season team to host the MLS Cup Final. For example, this years Final would have been played in Columbus, Ohio (as the Crew had the best regular season record). I live in Columbus and can tell you it is mighty cold in late November.

The second change is rather small. Adding a weeks rest between the Conference Final and the MLS Cup final.

MLS executives will be meeting with MLS commissioner Don Garber in the coming months to discuss these changes to the current format.

A movement is afoot on Facebook to replace The Columbus Crew’s aging logo with this version at left. I think it is totally sweet. OK, I started it. Here are the details:

I’m a designer. I’m a soccer player. I’m a Columbus native. And I love the Crew.

After The Crew brought the MLS Cup to Columbus in ‘08, I took a long look at how our team and city will be perceived in the months and seasons to come. We have the best team, coaches, fans, and facilities in the league… but we’re running an emblem that’s 12 years old and in need of some rejuvenation.

So, I propose we revamp the Columbus Crew brand to go with our revamped spirit. The logo you see on this page was created by me as a possible solution. Is it the only solution? No but I think it’s a good start.

The purpose of this Facebook group is to catch the attention of Crew management to let them know the movement is out there. It’s not a chastising of our current logo… I appreciate the passion and attachment people feel for the old look. This is simply a refresh. You’ll notice that, in concept, this new logo is almost identical: a shield, featuring 3 “crew” members looking sternly onward. What’s been changed is simply our style of expression. The fonts changed. The illustration is simplified. The appearance is revamped. But the heart is the same.

I want our team to present itself in the same way we play… with strength, precision, and no compromise. If you feel the same, join this group!

1,000 fans for a new Columbus Crew logo (on Facebook)

RBNY 1-0 RSL

I sat down to watch the Western Conference finals hoping Real Salt Lake would win. I felt The Crew had a better chance against RSL in the final. I’ll admit my position was somewhat influenced by the gravity of New York… a big city with many commendable teams. Salt Lake City? Might as well be Columbus.

Then I saw the first 30 minutes of the game and was fairly floored by the performance of RSL. They looked CRISP to say the least (in all caps). Beautiful set pieces and tons of “oh shit” through balls. As a consequence RBNY has spent a lot of time chasing and blind-clearing. Imagine my surprise when a single breakaway from Crew once-was John Wolyniec led to The Red Bulls going one up. IMAGINE IT!

Now New York is up and I am fine with it. This game is a whirlwind of emotion.

NOTE AT HALF: Landon Donovan’s self-aggrandizing speech regarding his Player of the Year award was a total eye-roller. WE GET IT LANDON. YOU THINK YOU’RE GREAT AND WANT TO PLAY ON A BETTER TEAM.

Saturday I watched the Crew dismantle Kansas City with class, 2-0. IT WAS EASY. Maybe next year, the Wizards can cast a spell that makes them good.

Ahem.

A more interesting aspect of this game was the behavior of the Crew Massive, Hudson Street Hooligans, Nordecke, Local 614—whatever they want to be called. The crazy fans in the corner. They’re the ones I’m so glad to have at every game, and so glad to have on the other side of the stadium at every game. The whole north corner was packed for this playoff match, and these dudes were louder and rowdier than ever.

In the past, Crew fans have been accused of racism, instigating fights with opposing fans, attempts to harm opposing players (throwing batteries?!), and attempts to put a lot of decoration on opposing players. While I can only claim witness to one of these (the decoration), I can say that we’ve definitely gained a reputation for taking both the “kid” and the “friendly” out of “kid-friendly event”. So what we have is an “event”… for adults who aren’t easily offended.

In fact, the most impressing behavior the crazy fans exhibit every game is their expertly synchronized foul language. It’s usually louder than the announcer, and with a packed house, it’s clear as a bell. I’ll admit, I’m a fan of the brazen attitude, but as I told a friend Saturday, a lot of kids are growing up tonight.

Some catchy chants I heard

I recently complained about the MLS playing games on American football fields. I thought it couldn’t get worse in terms of venue for a professional soccer team. THEN I watched Columbus play at Kansas City in the first round of playoffs last night… ON A BASEBALL FIELD. Officials claim the converted CommunityAmerica Ballpark accommodated the FIFA minimum 70-yard width. I cross-checked a couple of maps and it actually worked out. There is JUST enough room for a minimum size pitch. The field just LOOKED 40 yards wide because we are used to watching quality matches on decent fields, 90 or so yards wide. The 70 yard minimum, as one ONN announcer put it, is more like a bowling alley. Don’t get me started on bowling!

Just look at this map!

You can sit on the grass (”cauldron”) 4 inches from the field, or pay for a seat in section 103, a location far enough away that you have to pay a different county’s sales tax on your ticket. This stadium looks like a Christmas ornament when you put a soccer field in it.

Conclusion: Play in a rectangle!!!

I was reading about how the expansion Seattle Sounders just signed a good guy. After the article, I started reading this guy’s comment, and decided this topic needs a writin’. Then I finished reading his comment, and realized there’s nothing left for me to say. So here, I’ll paste it. Real Class-A blogging in this joint.

“yea the mls can’t make up their minds on team names. the quakes or the sounders or the rapids are american names, and i’m fine with that, its america. but for a few years they were going through a “europeans are good at soccer, so why don’t we try to be more european?” faze [sic] and so they changed everyone’s names.

my complaint is the way they changed the names. why not royal salt lake? its the mormon capital of the world, not the hispanic! also why fc dallas and toronto fc? here in america, it’s called soccer (as much as i hate it), so it should be sc dallas and toronto sc (actually it should be dallas sc).

so basically they thought they could make the mls seem more european, while not actually doing anything to do so, like rescheduling it to a regular season or not having playoffs.

such is life for a soccer fan in america…”

—Giggsy91411, FOX Sports message boards