I may be out of my mind for doing this in the current critical climate, but here it goes. I enjoyed this season. A lot. I think we proved a few things. We're one of the best teams in the league. We became one of the most exciting squads for a neutral to watch. We grew an identity. People seriously examined our players and our coach and pictured them leading the USMNT, and other national teams. We sold out lots of games and set attendance records. The rebrand has been a huge f*cking success. We won the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, we beat the hottest team in the league in Montreal. We beat the Supporter's Shield winners. We got to the final. And now, our players and fans have every reason to expect more good times ahead. Now a few days removed from Sunday, I feel good, goddamn it. So please, share something that made you happy about this past year, or something you're looking forward to with this team. Haters don't hate in the safe space.
There were a couple of times that I rode my bike to and from the games. I blew by traffic upon exit (I heard traffic is bad getting out of the stadium, but that is a topic-non-grata for this thread), the warm summer winds keeping me cool as I pedaled home. It was great.
Awareness is up. Coworkers, family, random grocery employees, and teachers at my son's daycare asking about the team and playoffs.
I can easily say that this season there were some truly awesome games. They are now in my top 10. 5-0 against DC, delicious. 3-2 over Seattle, beating the Fire in Bridgeview! Beating Montreal in AET. Beating NYRB. It was all so much fun. I still love the new logo and I am proud to wear it. I love this year's kits. I have never bought a jersey until after the season; this year I did. Loved talking to every guy on the team. Kei on Twitter is always hilarious. Speaking of Twitter Sorcerer Pipa and Fake Gregg Berhalter are great too. And finally win or lose there is no place I would rather be on a lovely summer evening than Crew Stadium watching the Crew.
As I was reading this, Radiohead came into my mind. But anyway, before the game, I was thinking as long as we didn't get blown out, I'd be proud of the situation. With very few exceptions, the season was a huge success. There were certainly some positive surprises, both on and off the field.
Is there a Safe Word? Good year, better than expected finish from where the season started. Good core established with younger players and great mid-year pickups that we will have (hopefully) for the full season next year.
Honestly this was a great season. I'm still sad about losing the cup at home. Who would have thought in July or August that we would be playing in the final?
Anyone who is not happy with the season as a whole is an idiot. With moving to Atlanta: 1. I got to see more games on tv than in a long time 2. I am stopped routinely while wearing Crew gear down here with people not just recognizing that I have on something soccer related, but instantly know it's for the Crew. A lot of people passing me with "Go Crew" 3. Some of the performances this year were the best I've ever seen the team play 4. The entire playoff run until the final was spectacular 5. Rule of 5
Yep, amazing season no doubt. I have complete faith in GB and AP going into next year. I certainly hope some roster moves are made and we don't stand still while everyone improves, but like I said, GB and AP have been legit so far. The last year alone, look at our new players: 1) Kamara 2) Cedrick 3) Afful 4) Sauro 5) Saeid 6) Jack Mac Yeah, we kinda got lucky that Mix decided not to come here (jesus f*cking christ what a massive bullet we dodged there haha) and Steiny turned out to be a bit of a dud, but no one is 100% perfect. Really looking forward to next season. On a personal note, next year will be year two for the wife and I being STHs. She didn't like soccer at all when we first met, typical American 'soccer is for pussys' type shit. But she slowly got into it, we'd make the drive from Dayton a couple of times a season to go to games. Then we moved up to Cbus in late 2014 and went to 4 or 5 games. She enjoyed it and suggested we get season tix. To see her transformation this year from, at best, casual Crew fan to a pretty loud supporter at games has been stunning. At the beginning of the year I said I'd love to have season tix in the Nordecke, she wasn't really down with that. By the end of the season, she wanted to renew our season tix, and move them from 103 to the Nordecke (which we did). She's a full-on chant screaming flag waving Crew (SC) supporter now. I seriously have four people/groups of people to thank for that: 1) Gregg Berhalter 2) Anthony Precourt 3) The players (Pipa and Kei especially) 4) The fans All of these people have made an absolutely amazing product to behold live at Mapfre (Crew) Stadium. Thank you to all of you, let's do it again next year!!
Unlike Bridgeview, and to be honest, several other MLS clubs, Columbus is doing a quality job running itself as a proper soccer club where results matter more. Upper echelon in the league's all-time regular season records.
This. Until maybe the last few minutes of the home playoff leg vs. the pink cows. But even then, there was that nagging thought of all those late '90's playoff heartbreaks and missing the final...
The season was very frustrating until we solidified the back with Afful and Sauro and Trapp returned healthy. Watching beautiful attacking soccer be pissed away in the back was painful. But since the Summer transfers on it was a magical ride. Top 3 seasons all time for me, possibly second and I can't wait for 2016.
Bolded for truth. It's been a long time since I felt like the owner and the manager were strengths of the club, but that sure is true right now (at least until we lose a game in Florida in February).
The only real complaint I think I could level at 3G after this year is a perceived inflexibility/stubbornness when it comes to our formation. I really think MacInerney was under-utilized this year. It's nice to see that he's not the "unnecessary tinkerer" type constantly changing things around, but I still think when you land a talent like Jack, you find a way to work him in more.
No no no, you're doing it wrong. We're saying things we like, not things we don't like. I liked Meram defending better as the season went on. I think we have the two best fullbacks in the league. I can't wait for next year!
Echo of all of the above. I'd like to praise all of the great changes at the stadium. Dumping Sodexho and getting better concessions was a good move, but even better was bringing in the unique food vendors/trucks. Hot Chicken Takeaway, Schmidt's, the Falafel truck, the stir-fry noodle place behind Nordecke, etc. And the local beers. Great idea!
The stir fry noodle place is hit or miss. Sometimes it's really good others it's undercooked and a salt lick, but they have Margaritas! That's my kind of fusion cuisine.
That was not negative. It was a poignant observation. I also said it can be really good and they serve margs.