https://www.thisweeknews.com/news/2...s-due-to-coronavirus-trend-likely-to-continue Former Crew and Xoggz player Obi Moneme.
Hate starting new threads, so I'll put this here for no particular reason. Great Arace piece in the Dogpatch https://www.dispatch.com/sports/202...is-right-man-to-steer-mls-through-stormy-seas Excerpt: Despite all the stupid little things, the league perseveres, and grows, grows, grows, because Garber gets the big things right. For example: Garber was an accomplice of former Crew owner Anthony Precourt (or vice versa) when Precourt tried to steal the Crew away to Austin. For a year, the fate of the league’s first chartered team hung in the balance. During that time, Garber stepped on a thousand rakes and his attempted felony turned into an international public-relations nightmare. On Jan. 9, 2019, the official announcement came that #SaveTheCrew had saved the Crew. That day, in a private conversation, Garber was asked how he had come 180 degrees in his view of the Columbus market. He began, “Let’s take a step back. I was hired by Lamar Hunt and would not have left the NFL in ’99 if it wasn’t for my belief in the Hunt family back in the early part of my career ... ” And on Garber went about the founder of the league, and of the Crew — until he was interrupted: Would he please answer the question? “Let me give you a little history here. We as a league have always believed in the city and in the Crew ... ” And on Garber went about “pursuing the brand glory that this club had in its earlier days.” He concluded by saying, “It was worth the trauma.” He then was asked: When was the last time you were in town, Don? There was an eight-second pause. Eight seconds. Garber wasn’t exactly sure. He asked his PR guy for help. They agreed that the last time Garber was in town was for a USA-Mexico game at Mapfre Stadium on Nov. 11, 2016. That meant the commissioner of MLS went more than two years without setting foot in Columbus — and during this span he conspired in an attempt to move the Crew to Austin. Essentially, he tried to divorce Columbus with an email. Too traumatic otherwise. Yet, he still managed to extort $150 million and the promise of a new stadium from a group of local owners. That is Bud Selig-like leadership. And it is yet another indication of how Garber is the perfect man to steer MLS through the second-most-trying interlude in league history.
And Indiana Blast. I have one of his Blast jerseys through the help of Kenn Tomasch.... He was at the Crew reunion last season, as I recall.
That ain't a bad piece of writing. I've long been of the opinion that Garber's time has passed, but I'll still give credit where it's due. Too bad my voice will be drowned by the multitudes clamoring for Garber's head just because he's, well, Don Garber.
And Crunch (12 games in 96-97 before being traded to the Wave with Glenn Carbonara, Todd Dusosky, cash, and future considerations for Matt Knowles).
Eddie Gaven getting some press on the MLS site. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/05/05/whatever-happened-eddie-gaven-charles-boehm "A consistent contributor happy to cede the spotlight to others, Gaven won the deep respect of teammates and fans, and had a fluid way of gliding around the field that was rare among American players at the time. He also had an endearingly offbeat manner about him..."
While not a Crew player, Willie Merrick was a Columbus pro player with the Xoggz--apparently his dad has passed away. Figured this was the best place for this info. https://www.schoedinger.com/obituaries/William-Merrick-2/#!/Obituary
I was having fun with my son and the Kids Workbook that the Crew put out each week. This weeks spot the difference had a Mendoza jersey... and I immediately thought of @hangthadj. #onelove
And my shoulder to his right. Also, I don't know who that brave fan that heckled Dong Arber that day, but you all owe him a not beer.
Schoenfeld says he originally went to Israel in an effort to " get more money out of Columbus" https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020...-american-forward-who-became-cult-hero-israel