Official Crew Press Release

COLUMBUS CREW PRESS RELEASE

CREW EXERCISES OPTION ON GUILLERMO BARROS SCHELOTTO’S CONTRACT, KEEPING HIM IN BLACK & GOLD FOR 2009 SEASON

Reigning league and MLS Cup MVP becomes club’s first Designated Player

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew announced today that it has exercised the option year on the contract of 2008 league and MLS Cup MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, keeping the Argentine superstar in Black & Gold for the 2009 season. The move makes him the club’s first Designated Player, though no further terms of the deal were disclosed. As with all Designated Player signings, the deal was approved by MLS.

Schelotto collected seven goals and 19 assists in 27 games during a prolific 2008 regular season, leading the league in assists by a wide margin. He also set a new Crew record for most assists in a season, eclipsing John Wilmar Perez’s 15 in 2001, and finished the season tied for second in MLS history for assists in a season. Five of his assists led to game-winners and his extraordinary performances were recognized with four regular-season MLS Player of the Week selections, MLS Player of the Month honors for August and inclusion on the MLS All-Star Game’s inactive roster. His 19 assists this season are the most for an individual in MLS since the 2002 season when Steve Ralston also totaled 19.

“Securing Guille’s return was one of our top priorities entering the offseason and we are pleased to get that accomplished,” said Crew President & General Manager Mark McCullers. “It goes without saying that he was one of the keys to our championship season and, on top of that, he helps attract international attention to both the club and our region. We look forward to his continued dynamic contributions next season.”

Thanks in large part to Schelotto’s leadership and playmaking ability, the 2008 regular season was one of the best in Crew history, as the Black & Gold won the Supporters’ Shield with a 17-7-6 record and 57 points, shattering the club record for points in a season. Columbus also set new club marks for wins and goals (50) in the post-shootout era (since 2000).

Schelotto continued to be a difference maker in the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs, as he helped lead the Crew to its first-ever MLS Cup Championship. The Argentine playmaker totaled three assists in the decisive match, a 3-1 victory over New York, setting a new record for assists in an MLS Cup final and earning him MVP honors for the match. In all, Schelotto totaled six assists in four matches for the Crew during the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs, tying him for the MLS record for most assists in a single postseason.

Since joining the Crew in 2007 from storied Argentinean club Boca Juniors, Schelotto has proven to be one of the best attacking players in the league. He was a member of the 2007 and 2008 MLS Best XI squads and in 49 career MLS regular-season games, he has recorded a whopping 30 assists and scored 12 goals. He was recently named “Sportsman of the Year” by SI Latino and was the subject of a feature story in Sports Illustrated.

Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it is currently the reigning MLS Cup Champion and it has also won MLS Supporters’ Shield titles in 2004 and 2008 and the 2002 U.S. Open Cup championship. It recently concluded its 13th season overall and 10th in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium.