My proposed refresh of the Columbus Crew’s logo has become unexpectedly controversial. I’ve had feedback of all kinds, ranging from enthusiastic support, constructive criticism, and (the most entertaining) inconsequential condescending ignorance. Shall we?

“Awesome! We need a new logo.”

Thanks. Join the Facebook group!

“NO!!! THIS IS RETARDED! WHAT A STUPID IDEA!!! NEVER CHANGE THE LOGO!!!”

Thanks! Are you employed?

“I have spent too long defending our logo to let it go now. Keep the old one!”

What if for some reason you couldn’t change your shirt for 12 years, and I offered you a fresh new shirt for free? I suppose you’ve defended being filthy for so long you’d rather stay that way. Good luck with those first impressions. I understand unconditional support, but save it for the team, not the logo.

“The imperfections in our logo make it special, à la the Tower of Pisa”

I laughed a lot at this. First off, the Tower is an architectural failure, an anomaly, and was never intended to lean. That’s the only reason people go see it. If you want people to come see Crew games just to look at our shitty logo then I will indeed have a tough time arguing with you.

Secondly, imperfections are something you get used to, not something you desire. If The Crew had started with a crisp logo, and I therefore never started this initiative, I doubt anyone would be begging for some imperfections to love.

“There’s nothing wrong with it! If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!”

There are quite a few things wrong with it actually. It is sloppy and lazy design work, and I shouldn’t have to say that is unacceptable for “America’s Hardest Working Team”. A bit of what I’m referring to: you notice the jagged angles and messy detail in the dude’s shirts? That happens when a designer uses tracing software to turn bitmap graphics into vectors. The computer to guesses how to draw your image, instead of doing it yourself. Essentially, a lazy designer let the computer do the work for him or her. The result? A logo with detail so irrelevant it doesn’t reproduce when embroidered (scarves, hats, jerseys) or when printed at sizes less than 2 inches (tickets, program guides, advertising).

I get into more detail about why the current logo sucks in the Photos section of the Facebook group.

“A logo can’t becoming iconic or legendary if you keep changing it.”

I almost fell for this one. It seems logical. However, an “iconic” team logo is nothing more than a symbol of what the team has accomplished. A team with a long history and great triumphs will have an iconic logo no matter how many times it changes. Some examples of legendary teams whose logos have changed multiple times:

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Rangers, Aston Villa, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Ajax, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Lyon, Marseille, Bayern Munich

And for those of you kidding yourselves, The Crew has ONLY been around for 12 years. For some perspective, Arsenal, who have changed their badge many times, were founded in EIGHTEEN EIGHTY-SIX and enjoy worldwide support.

“Rebranding costs a fortune”

This is probably true. However, when done at the right time, the choice to make this investment is easy… and businesses do it all the time. A new championship is putting a lot of curious eyes on The Crew. We need to impress.

“I am not opposed to a new logo but this one isn’t my cup of tea”

Awesome. All I want is a crisp, professional-quality logo for my team. If it’s not mine, that’s OK. Please post up your ideas on the Facebook group.

After all that, I have made some changes based on the reasoned, constructive feedback I received from people. The updated version is below.

(Thanks to the Facebook group, the .02% of BigSoccer contributors that had something intelligent to say, a couple of people on Astroheader, and my friends)

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.

WHAT THE? is my weekly Premiership review with only the interesting events that should not have happened in the first place.

This round was a little more entertaining than the ties of last week.

• Who said Arsenal was done? Chelsea hosted Arsenal in a must win game if Arsenal had any chance winning the Prem this season. Van Persie took the game into his hands and scored twice in 3 second half minutes to lead Arsenal to a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal still has a lot of work to do but this was a big blow for Chelsea as they try to keep up with Liverpool at the top of the table.

• Speaking of Liverpool, they had a chance to go 3 points clear at the top when they met West Ham on Monday at Anfield. Unfortunately they were held to a 0-0 draw which now puts them at the top of the table by 1 point instead of a potential 3. I’m pulling for Liverpool this year because I would like to see someone other than Chelsea, Man U and Arsenal win it.

• Tottenham lost their first game at home under Redknapp with a 0-1 lost to Everton. Tottenham are still out of the relegated zone but only based on goal differential. Still too close for comfort.

• Two of the new boys meet with Stoke and Hull battling to a 1-1 draw. Hull City is still battling for a place in Europe, currently sitting in 6th, 2 points behind Aston Villa.

• The Manchester derby was this weekend and saw plenty of talking before the game with Man U players claiming the new money backing Man City wont help them against their in town rivals. Manchester United backed up the talk with a 1-0 win at the Eastlands. The lone goal was scored by Rooney and saw Ronaldo sent off in the 68th minute. Manchester is still 6 points from the top with one game in hand.

The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup draw was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Confederations Cup is held every four years in the upcoming WC hosts country, in this case South Africa. The teams consist of the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships (CAF, CONMEBOL, UEFA, AFC, OFC, CONCACAF), along with the FIFA World Cup winner and the host country. The United States will represent CONCACAF in next years edition. The eight teams in the competition are:

1. South Africa (host)
2. Italy (winner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup)
3. United States (winner of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup)
4. Brazil (winner of the Copa America 2007)
5. Iraq (winner of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup)
6. Egypt (winner of the 2008 African Cup of Nations)
7. Spain (winner of UEFA Euro 2008)
8. New Zealand (winner of the 2008 OFC Nations Cup)

Group A consist of South Africa, Spain, Iraq and New Zealand. This is considered the easier of the two groups, which would expect to see Spain easily move on to the quarters.

Group B is Brazil, Italy, United States and Egypt. The easy picks would see Brazil and Italy go through. The United States will need luck to see the quarters.

On a more positive note I am glad that the United States has to play two of the best teams in the world before the 2010 World Cup. This is a perfect chance for the younger members of the squad to get exposure to top level talent. We will get at least one top team in our 2010 WC group stage and need as much practice as possible.

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)

Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

Arsenal scored 3 goals in a 2-1 win over Chelsea at the Bridge.

Many of you have surmised that one of these was an own goal, and was indeed the first of two trashy goals scored in this match. The first was the own-goal from Djourou that was frankly the fault of keeper Almunia. I’m not sure if his bleached hair is affecting his judgment, or is simply an indicator of it. After a terrible redistribution, Djourou was forced to scramble in a slide to stop a cross from the Blue. Instead he slipped one past off the bottom of his shoe. Whoops.

Next came a missed call from the ref and an obvious offside by Van Persie, although the shot itself was a thing of wonder. We’re now tied at 1-1.

But the THIRD goal, ooh la la. Van Persie slides a beauty into the side net, through the legs of (I think?) John Terry. A 2-1 victory for the otherwise stumbling Arsenal, and a due chink in the Chelsea armor.

WHAT THE? is my weekly Premiership review with only the interesting events that should not have happened in the first place.

This was the round of ties in the Prem. Quite a boring week unless you are a Arsenal fan.

• Manchester United tied Aston Villa 0-0
• Chelsea tied Newcastle 0-0
• Liverpool tied Fulham 0-0. (ouch) Fulham was an early pick by many to be relegated but currently is in 9th place after 14 rounds. Well done.

• Tottenham got back to their new form under Redknapp with a 1-0 win against Blackburn. This pulls Tottenham out of relegation again, currently sitting in 15th place.

• How low can Arsenal go? Arsenal captain William Gallas went on a rant midweek against…the whole team. Talk about team drama. Wenger was less than thrilled with the episode and not only removed Gallas as captain but left him in London as the team went to Manchester to play Man City. Well, things didnt get much better in Manchester as Arsenal lost 0-3. So…yeah. Arsenal is now 10 points from the top. Well, maybe next year.

American cupcake Landon Donovan is going to join Bayern Munich in the January transfer window. Donovan only agreed to a loan deal till March 15, 2009, much like the deal David Beckham signed with AC Milan. So he will be returning to LA three months after he goes to Munich.

We have seen what happens to Donovan when he plays with the big boys. This will be his third attempt to play in Germany with the first two ending with him running back to America. Donovan has missed his prime chance to play in a major European league. That is a move you make in your late teens or early twenties so you can get the experience early. Now in his late twenties, Donovan is just trying to prove that he can play in Europe. I don’t think a 3 month loan to Bayern Munich is going to help much.

Why would Donovan get much playing time if he is only there for a few months? Bayern Munich isn’t going to get the team use to a certain player if he is going to be gone as soon as he comes. Plus, Donovan only got the invite because he is buddies with Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann who use to “work” with the LA Galaxy.

Another cupcake move by a cupcake player.

Due to a total lack of awareness, respect, compassion, sympathy, and indeed humanity on the part of an acquaintance, I will miss most or all of the live coverage of the MLS Cup today due to my commitment to fulfill usher duties at her wedding. If only it was Super Bowl Sunday and I liked American football!

Thanks to my dad, I will be receiving text message updates for key events in the match. Almost like real life!

Go Crew.

WHAT THE? is my weekly Premiership review with only the interesting events that should not have happened in the first place.

• While not a surprise, Manchester United beat Stoke 5-0. What you would have missed was the insane goals scored by Man U in this game. Three of the five goals were scored from 20+ yards out and Ronaldo scoring twice to break the 100 goal mark for Man U.

• Tottenham suffered their forst loss since Redknapp took over as skipper. A 2-1 loss to Fulham of all teams dropped Tottenham back into the relegation zone.

• Arsenals issues continue with a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa. Arsenal really needs to get their boats straight or they will not even qualify for the UEFA Cup next season.