When talking about the greatest members of the Columbus Crew, undoubtedly Guillermo Barros Schelotto will be in the conversation.
Not only was Guillermo an ambassador for the Crew and the city of Columbus, but also won the MLS award as the Most Valuable Player in his first full season with the Crew, after a decade of playing with Argentinean giants Boca Juniors.
Schelotto was a great leader on the field, but was certainly a fan favorite as he helped the team win their first MLS Cup in 2008, netting three assists in the Crew’s 3-1 win over New York Red Bulls in the final.
Although he was named the MVP of the MLS Cup, he also was a pivotal member of the Crew winning the Supporters’ Shield (best record) and the Eastern Conference in 2008 and 2009.
The admiration of GBS was seen at each and every game at Crew Stadium. Fans in the Nordecke would cheer his name and bow to him as the Argentinean took Crew free kicks and corners.
The Crew have had very notable players on their team in the past (Brian McBride, Brad Friedel, and Jon Busch), but none will be remembered like GBS. Also named as the Crew’s first ever Designated Player, Schelotto embodied what it meant to be a member of soccer’s “hardest working team”.
Surely, Schelotto was the greatest member in Crew history, as many fans will attest to.
On the final day of the 2010 regular season, the Crew welcomed the expansion Philadelphia Union to Crew Stadium. Among those on the roster was Alejandro Moreno, former member of the Crew taken by the Union in the expansion draft.
After the game, Moreno gestured to the Nordecke his gratitude for their support over the years. Crew captain Frankie Hejduk weighed in on what it meant to be a member of the Crew:
“I think that everyone knows that we are part of the city and the city is part of us. We are kind of one big family here. When people leave this team they are a little bummed out. I don’t think a lot of people leave because they want to leave, its just the circumstance. I don’t think that was the case with Ali at all. I am sure that if he had his say, he would have stayed here. He was part of the team and part of the family. I think he was saying that it wasn’t his choice. He was a true professional and helped us win a title; it was great for the city.”
