It sounds counterintuitive since Crew SC won MLS Cup ten days later, but I feel that this was the biggest win in Black & Gold history. The 2008 season was incredible, but now it ran into a roadblock fraught with peril.
First, Crew SC entered the game 0-for-4 in their previous Eastern Conference Finals attempts. It was basically the Playoff Round of Doom. Second, the Chicago Fire historically owned this rivalry. Going into the game, Chicago was 20-10-8 all-time against Columbus in all competitions, including 9-4-4 at MAPFRE Stadium, which Fire fans dismissively referred to as “Firehouse East.” Third, the 2008 Fire matched up well with Crew SC. Both regular season meetings ended in 2-2 draws. Fourth, two of the Fire’s starters were Jon Busch and Brian McBride, beloved members of Crew SC’s 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship squad, who were now trying to get to their first MLS Cup by denying the Black & Gold the same.
There was a lot on the line.
At first, the nightmare scenario played out in predictable fashion. Brian McBride, Crew SC legend, scored to give the Fire the 1-0 lead. Had the greatest season in Crew SC history ended because of a goal by Brian McBride, I don’t think Columbus fans ever would have recovered. Not only would it have killed a dream, but it also would have emotionally tarnished the legacy of a previously revered figure forevermore.
But then Chad Marshall scored THE GOAL to tie the game early in the second half, outleaping McBride to bury a corner kick header. A few minutes later, Eddie Gaven put Columbus on top. They held the lead and advanced to their first MLS Cup. Many, many demons were exorcised that night.
