The Fat-Man Leaveth

By: Matt | February 10th, 2009

Remember that portly fellow who stalked the sidelines at Columbus Crew Stadium last year? The control freak who molded a team left in shambles by Greg Andrulis from pretenders to almost there to MLS Cup Champions? The gargantuan German, Sigi Schmid packed up and left town. After leading the Crew to MLS Cup glory, the big man wanted to be the highest payed coach in MLS and he deserved it. However, the Hunt Family have never been ones to spend the big bucks on the Clipboard, so Sigi and the Crew parted ways. Sigi made his way west to cash in on that Microsoft, Starbucks, and Freddie Ljunberg underwear money in Seattle, perhaps a bit too early than the MLS rules announced, but since when were the MLS sticklers about rules? A little ~~hush~~ allocation money to Columbus and the deal was settled. Columbus announced the worst kept secret in that long time assistant and original Crew player Robert “The Polish Rifle” Warzycha as the new head coach.

However, some (many who fancy Starbucks and…er…rain?) people are scheduling May 30th and October 3rd when the Crew and Seattle meet to be this steel cage death match between Sigi and the Crew. I know that MLS is trying to create rivalries to get butts in the seats and on the couch to hear the docile tones of ESPN 2, but unfortunately most of Crew nation is responding with a resounding “yaaaaawn”. Isn’t trying to create one rivalry enough MLS? At least Toronto is geographically close, has some pricks in their fan base, and like to pee on churches and fences. I know at least for me, and many of the Crew fans I know, that we are eternally grateful to Sigi for leading us to the promise land and wish him godspeed in his journeys west. The guy took the Crew from worst to first and deserves the big bucks, but I can see why the Hunt’s in these uncertain economic times might be more concerned with not pulling a Gretna (SPL reference #1 in this here blog) and making sure that the lion share of the available cash is available for the players.

So in conclusion, thanks for letting us put the little star over the three factory workers, enjoy the rain, and we’ll see you twice this year. Oh, and you can keep the scarf…