Who is/was/will be the best player that has put on a Columbus jersey?

Buddle's going to be better then McBride, Cunningham, and Stern John combined by the time his Crew days are over. If he wasn't injured you'd be witnessing it right now. However strong mention for Friedel

 

Friedel, no contest.

McBride will have had more influence on the game in America, though.

Buddle has some promise, but he has one whole heck of a lot to prove before even considering him in this category.

 

Is it just me, or does Dooley STILL piss every Crew fan off?

 

I'm with bill, it's no contest, gotta be friedel.

However, in my heart I'd like to see Martino take the title, I just want an American ten shirt to make it on the world stage and be considered something of a midfield maestro.

 

I know I won't forgive Dooley anytime soon.

 

if Martino and Buddle can both live up to their potential, then it will probably be one of them. But right now there is no clear answer to the question.

 

I've gotta go with Friedel. Buddle though is someone I hope will develop into a absolutely great player (praying for no more injuries here).

Woo hoo, my first post. Just had to celebrate for a moment, but the above is my $.02.

 

me, of course...

 

The question is not "Who is/was/will be the best player FOR the Crew?" CrewPens was asking who the best player to don the jersey is/was/will be; without ignoring players because they didn't win us an Open Cup, etc.

Friedel, arguably the best goalie in the World, should take that contest hands down. Even if Martino and Buddle exceed their potential, it will be hard to live up to the reputation of Brad...

 

Friedel, no contest. Hard to go against a guy that wins First XI honors in the EPL. If I had to choose #2, I'd probably go with Stern, just because he might be the best pure goal scorer in the brief history of MLS. But McBride would certainly be 2a.

 

This one would be more difficult if you made the question: Who is/was/will be the best Crew player while he played for Columbus?

But, since it's not: Friedel

 

no it wouldn't, if that was the case it would be stern john.

agreed.

 

This would be a lot more interesting if Freidel was removed from the list.

Gotta agree w/ Zak. I'm pulling for Martino.

 

The way I read the question is who was the best for us (Crew) while they were (Friedel, John, etc) or are (McBride, Buddle, etc) playing for us.

In that case, it's a very close battle between Friedel and John but I'd go with Stern John. Over two years, the guy averaged a goal every 110 or so minutes. Best ever in MLS from what I've read. One scoring title.

 

Ham-Ham

For this poll, I went with my second choice last time: Cunningham. I just think he'll become an even stronger/wiser player in the upcoming future, and he's doing a good job as of late. I think Arena should give him a much better look, and I wouldn't be surprised if Cunningham was on the '06 WC roster. As for how he's done with the Crew, I don't think I need to mention statistics. We're just one heck of a lot better when he's on the field than when he's not. This might be a dumb question, but has Andrulis tried Jeff at midfield?

 

no, but fitz did back in 2001. on the left, IIRC, with west on the right. also, bruce has played him wide.

neither experiment was particularly successful, and jeff was not thrilled with either assignment. understandably, the guy's a natural forward.