2009 Columbus Crew Season Preview: Defense

By: Matt | March 18th, 2009

This is the second installment of a position by position look at the 2009 edition of the Columbus Crew. The reigning MLS Cup Champions begin to defend their title on March 21st in Houston and then come home to Columbus to take on Toronto. Let’s examine what the black and gold will be working with this season and what those filling each position will need to do to keep those black and gold ribbons on the MLS Cup.

Coming into the 2008 season, the backline of the Crew was identified as the team’s weakness. There were just so many questions about the Crew’s defenders going into the season. Would Argentinian and former River Plate man Gino Padula stay healthy enough to contribute all season? Would Danny O’Rourke continue to mow the opposing strikers down in the box at an alarming rate? Would young Chad Marshall be able to handle a full season of being the anchor of the Crew’s backline? Would the seemingly ageless Frankie Hejduk still be able to run all day despite starting to get up there in years? The answers to these questions were a resounding “kind of, at first yes but he eventually got a hold of himself, hell yes, and (if you ask a Mexican National Team assistant coach) F#$% YEAH! After starting off a bit slow, with the aforementioned O’Rourke seemingly trying to set the single season record for penalties given and the Crew allowing two quick goals in an early season match in the cement pitch in New York, the group settled down. They were by no means perfect, but they became solid. Padula missed almost half the season due to injury, but before and after he was the solid fullback the the Crew needed. O’Rourke stopped going to ground every time a striker had a ball in the box, Chad Marshall became the stud we know and love today, and Frankie Hejduk was Frankie “The Dude” Hejduk all season long (in between chugging beers with fans after the game and before matches he is suspended for).

Gino Padula: The Argentinian starts his second season in MLS this season. After only playing 14 matches last season, the fullback looks to stay healthy this season. Padula seems to win every tackle he attempts and generally gives the opposing wingers fits. A pretty decent crosser at times, Padula is also not afraid to join in on the attack. Last season with Padula healthy along side other fullback Frankie Hejduk, the Crew seemed to dominate the wings and if Padula is match fit the entire season, the Crew will look to enjoy such dominance again.

Chad Marsall: Marshall entered 2008 a highly touted youngster and left it MLS Defender of the Year. Quite simply, Marhsall had a break out season, becoming the solid center back that the Crew so desperately needed. The tall Marshall wins headers with ease and is one of the best tacklers in MLS. the big man is also a great threat on corners and free kicks, just ask Chicago about his skill in such after last year’s Eastern Conference final. Look for Marshall to be the rock in the center of the defense again this season.

Danny O’Rourke: Let’s be honest. Growing up, Danny O’Rourke was a midfielder, and now that he has moved to center back, it shows in some of his tackling. Sometimes cringe worthy, O’Rourke is by no means a text book defender. He showed his inexperience in the position at the beginning of the season last year. However, it seems like he really worked all season at getting better at his new position and the results were evident by the end of the year. I would even dare say that O’Rourke was the most improved player on the Crew squad last year. If O’Rourke continues to work as he has last season, expect to see continuous improvement for Danny O’Rourke.

Frankie Hejduk: Frankie Freakin’ Hejduk. What needs to be said about the guy? He IS the Crew. Beer chugging, ass kicking, Mexican coach angering, Grade A Bad Ass. The guy owns the flank. Opposing players have to pay him rent in kicks to their shins. I fully expect Frankie to be starting for the Crew and getting call ups to the US Men’s National Team at age 55. It seems like nothing can stop the Crew captain and with this great team around him, Frankie can finally shine as the star he is.

Other players of note: Andy Iro is a big, strong defender from Liverpool who is coming into his second season in the MLS. He appeared in 18 matches last season, starting 11 of them. The former first round pick of the Crew definitely has a bright future in this league and might see more playing time this year with the increase in competitions that the Crew are in. Columbus’ native son Eric Brunner is coming into his first season with the Crew. Drafted by the Red Bulls last year but never used, Columbus traded for Brunner’s rights this off season and hopefully the native Ohioan will get some playing time in the back this season.