2009 Columbus Crew Season Preview: Keepers

By: Matt | March 13th, 2009

This is the first 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.

In 2007, Sigi Schmid made a decision. He must have known it would be an unpopular decision, but like many of the big man’s decisions, it was a well planned, calculated decisions. The round mound of schnitzel decided to let the passionate keeper Jon Busch go in favor of the young William Hesmer. The decision brought a lot of “huh’s” and “uh….’s” from the MLS community. Busch had established himself as one of the most solid keepers in the MLS and was definitely one of the most competitive. Busch was named the Goalkeeper of the Year in 2004 and helped lead the Crew to a Supporters Shield. Busch took the release personally and still holds a grudge to this day towards Schmid, but like most of the big man’s moves, it would take a year to reveal the sheer genius of the switch.

In 2008, Hesmer was able to establish himself as one of the premier keepers in MLS. Perhaps the most underrated player on the Crew last season, Will Hesmer was definitely the most reliable player. With superstars like Guillermo Barros Schelloto on the field, it is tough for a keeper to get noticed. Yet Hesmer’s stand out season caught the attention of Bob Bradley and big Will was able to earn himself an invite to the U.S. National Team’s training camp, a quite impressive feat with the seemingly endless factory of world class keepers that the United States produces. Hesmer established early in the season of his dominance, stopping three penalties in the early goings of the season. Schmid trusted a career back up keeper to replace one of the most well known keepers in MLS and his trust payed off. While a healthy Guillermo Barros Schelloto might be the first name on the team sheet, Hesmer made sure that his name was a close second. With Sigi Schmid now gone, new Coach Robert Warzycha inherited a solid keeper capable of putting the team on his back and earning points by himself. If Hesmer is able to have a season similar to his 2008 campaign, the Crew have a great chance of repeating their 2008 MLS Cup win.