In Crew SC's 302 regular-season home matches at Ohio Stadium and MAPFRE Stadium, more than 4.6 million spectators have witnessed 160 Black & Gold victories and made a whole lot of unforgettable soccer memories.
After 20 years in Major League Soccer, there is still history to be made and Crew SC could reach its next milestone today against conference rival Chicago Fire.
Columbus currently sits at 499 regular-season goals at home. Having scored 10 in the last three home matches, chances are home goal No. 500 will come against the Fire. But before we get too excited, we want to relive other milestone-marking, regular-season home goals. You’ll notice that each of these goals came during a win, so one more goal next Friday may just be the good luck charm Crew SC needs to put out the Fire.
Goal No. 1: Thor Lee – 4/13/96 vs. DC United
If that name doesn’t ring a bell with avid Crew SC supporters, there are two reasons for it: 1) Lee only spent one season in Major League Soccer and 2) he played for DC United, Crew SC’s opponent that day. Lee registered an own goal in the 18th minute of Crew SC’s existence in MLS to give the Black & Gold the lead. Brian McBride, the first player selected during the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft just two months prior, became the first Crew SC player to register a goal, putting Columbus up 2-0 just 11 minutes later. McBride picked up another goal and an assist to help push the Black & Gold to a 4-0 win.
Goal No. 100: Rob Smith – 9/6/98 vs. MetroStars
In a game that also featured a visitors' own goal to start off the scoring, courtesy of MetroStars defender Mike Duhaney, Smith’s 77th minute beauty from outside the box proved to be the difference as Crew SC won 4-3. Smith's game-winner would end up being his final goal as a member of Crew SC.
Goal No. 200: Dante Washington – 6/15/02 vs. San Jose Earthquakes
The former U.S International picked up his fourth goal of the season with a bending, left-footed shot to the lower 90 in Crew SC’s 2-1 win over the Quakes. Columbus and San Jose exchanged goals in the 31st and 39th minutes respectively. 44 minutes later, Washington played hero to lock up three points.
Goal No. 300: Stefani Miglioranzi – 6/20/07 vs. Kansas City Wizards
With a corner kick flying into the box, Miglioranzi nestled his way into traffic and floated a header over the outstretched arm of Kansas City’s Kevin Hartman to put Crew SC up 2-0. Kansas City would tack on a goal in the 93rd minute, so Miglioranzi's first goal of the season proved to be the match winner.
Goal No. 400: Tommy Heinermann vs. 6/26/11 Colorado Rapids
Andres Mendoza’s 48th minute goal put Crew SC up 3-1 and all but sealed the match, but Heinermann’s goal nine minutes later put the cherry on top in a historic way. After some nifty ball movement and a well-defended cross, Heinermann was there for the rebound and sent a rocket towards the left side of the net. Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens got a hand on it, but the shot was too powerful and Heinermann made stadium history with goal No. 400.
