MLS Insider Blog

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

The Rolling Stones once sang about how you can’t always get what you want and this morning the statement holds true for me. What I wanted was a rematch of last year’s U.S. Open Cup final between D.C. United & the Seattle Sounders and all the drama that went along with it: the smack talk between the front offices, the battle to host the game and the now-infamous “We Win Trophies” campaign.

But D.C. opened the door for Columbus to take their place at the table last night in the 89th minute (courtesy of a timely Andy Iro goal) and let the Crew walk out with the good china when Guillermo Barros Schelotto successfully converted a PK in extra time. So instead of the grudge match final we’ll have the Crew taking on Seattle in a potentially packed Qwest Field on Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. PT (Fox Soccer Channel).

With the chance to lift the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the second year in a row –not to mention in front of the home crowd– expect the Sounders and their out-sized fanbase to be a little more fired up for this one than Columbus who are sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference, only 2 points behind the Galaxy in the race for the Supporters Shield and still very much in the CONCACAF Champions League mix. While they certainly would love to win it, they have their eyes on more trophies than they may be able to handle so this match might be just a little lower on the priority list.

BY JAIME URIBARRI

Columbus Crew fans should be happy to know that Guillermo Barros Schelotto shows no signs of wanting to retire anytime soon.

During recent weeks, the 37-year-old playmaker had been courted by Boca Juniors to take over as head coach, an offer he ultimately declined because of his desire to stay in the game.

“It’s hard to stop being a soccer player, which is why I didn’t accept the position (at Boca Juniors) because that would mean having to give up playing,” the Argentine legend told TyC Sports.

Currently under contract with the league until at least the end of the current season, Schelotto may extend his stay with Columbus, where he eventually plans to put an end to his brilliant career.

“I think I’m going to retire in the United State,” claims the Crew’s best player, although he doesn’t rule out the possibility of someday returning to the team where his heart has always been: Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata

“If I go back to Argentina it’s going to be with Gimnasia, but now’s not the time.”

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

If you can recall his triple-assist performance at MLS Cup 2008, you know that Guillermo Barros Schelotto is equally gifted as both a facilitator and a goal-scorer. Currently his Columbus Crew are involved in pre-season training in deepest Florida and yesterday they played the U.S. U-17’s in an afternoon scrimmage at the IMG Academy in Bradenton. The Boca Juniors legend put on something of a free kick clinic for the young Americans, setting up Chad Marshall’s headed goal with a beautifully arcing ball to the back post before getting on the score sheet himself by banging one in off of the opposite post.

The feat here is not the the actual goal or assist, but the ease with which he seemingly accomplishes them. Watching this clip, I’m not even sure he broke a sweat or even had to concentrate. It’s like he just wills them into being with the most minimal of effort. He is truly sublime.