MLS MVP and MLS Cup MVP and a MLS Cup Champion - the Columbus Crew would be crazy not to do everything they can to get Guilermo Barros Schelotto to stay with the team. The Crew made it official yesterday - they are exercising the option year on Schelotto's 2008 contract. So, Schelotto will be back for another season of play in the MLS with the Columbus Crew.

"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." - mlsnet.com

There was no perfect ending to the surprising run of the New York Red Bulls through the Major League Soccer Playoffs. They worked their way to the MLS Cup, but there was no more magic left - the Columbus Crew kept them grounded. The Crew was the best team during the regular season came out with the teams first ever MLS Cup with a 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.

 Alejandro Mereno, of the Crew, scored the first goal of the match in the 31st minute, slipping a tight-angled shot past Danny Cepero, the Red Bulls goalkeeper. The Red Bulls didn't stop attacking, and evened the score with a goal by John Wolyniec early in the second half. The score didn't stay 1-1 for buy 87 seconds when a Schelotto corner kick was headed in by Chad Marshall to but the Crew up 2-1. Later in the 82nd minute the Crew added some padding to there lead. Frankie Hejduk scored the goal giving Schelotto his third assist in the game.

A well deserving Schelotto was name the MLS Cup Most Valuable Player finishing the game with three assists. This makes him the third player in MLS history to win the league MVP and the MLS Cup Finals MVP honors. A fitting end to a great season for both Schelotto and the Columbus Crew.

Will Johnson of Real Salt Lake has won the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year for 2008 on a nice flip up and kick that went right by a defender and fit just inside the near post for a goal. The voting for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year was done by the fans. It was narrowed down to Geoff Cameron's goal in week 2, Cuauhtemoc Blanco's goal in week 7, Robbie Rogers' goal in week 26, Danny Cepero's week 30 goal, and of course Will Johnson's goal in week 30. This year Johnson's goal easily won the most votes. Here is a list of the past MLS players who have won the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year.

SIERRA MIST GOAL OF THE YEAR WINNERS

2008: Will Johnson - Real Salt Lake 
2007: Cuauhtémoc Blanco - Chicago Fire 
2006: Brian Ching - Houston Dynamo 
2005: Dwayne De Rosario - San Jose Earthquakes 
2004: Dwayne De Rosario - San Jose Earthquakes 
2003: Damani Ralph - Chicago Fire 
2002: Carlos Ruiz - Los Angeles Galaxy 
2001: Clint Mathis - MetroStars 
2000: Marcelo Balboa - Colorado Rapids 
1999: Marco Etcheverry - D.C. United 
1998: Brian McBride - Columbus Crew 
1997: Marco Etcheverry - D.C. United 
1996: Eric Wynalda - San Jose Clash

The New York Red Bulls won Saturday night. It was kind of shocking to some - no one really expected them to make it this far. After the game Saturday and with only a week until the MLS Cup the Red Bulls boarded their plane and headed back to New Jersey. It was now championship match preparation time. If they want any chance of taking down the Columbus Crew the Red Bulls are going to need a great week of focus and practice. But where is Dane Richards? He didn't board the plane after the game in Salt Lake. He flew to Jamaica instead.

Jamaica?

Without Dane Richards those 3 goals against the defending MLS Cup Champs the Houston Dynamo would have probably never happened. He obviously is a strong part of the team. Why would he head to Jamaica then? He went to join his Jamaican squad for a World Cup qualifier match against Canada. The thing is, he probably isn't even going to get to play in the match. Not to mention that they will need to win by 7 goals and hope the Honduras loses at home to Mexico.

Not the Only One

Dane Richards isn't the only player to be called to their international squad this week. Jorge Rojas and Gabriel Cichero both joined their Venezuela squad which will face Angola in a friendly on Wednesday.

Good or Bad

The players plan on being back with the Red Bull squad on Thursday. Still that's most of the week that they will have missed. Not to mention the flying and time zone changes. But they are professionals right? And they have prior commitments. It's just hard to think that they will be playing for the MLS Cup - the championship match of the league - on Sunday and they have to fly around the world to meet up and play with other teams - which one is a friendly game and the other is a no chance World Cup Qualifier.
The good thing is they are getting the national team experience. Even if they don't get to play that much - being their learning and watching will hopefully help them grow as a player, no matter their age. Plus, it's always good to have MLS players in national events to hopefully increase the fan base and following of the MLS.

Goal of the Year

What was the best goal of 2008? Head over to MLSnet.com to cast your vote. As a fan, you are in the judge for this award. There have been many great goals this season the MLS, but now it's time to narrow it down to one.

• Week 2: Geoff Cameron of the Houston Dynamo
• Week 7: Cuauhtemoc Blanco of the Chicago Fire
• Week 26: Robbie Rogers of Real Salt Lake
• Week 30: Danny Cepero of the New York Red Bulls
• Week 30: Will Johnson of Real Salt Lake

Head over to MLSnet.com and get your vote on before it's to late. The Sierra Mist Goal of the Year will be announced on Nov. 19, exclusively on MLSnet.com.

Who will be Major Leagues Soccer's Most Valuable Player in 2008? Will it be C. Blanco, L. Donovan, or G.B. Schelotto? I'd say it's a close race between Donovan, who has already won the Golden Boot award for 2008 scoring 20 goals in 25 games, or Schelotto who has helped lead his team to the MLS cup and posted 19 assists this season. It would be nice if Donovan won the MVP this year, as he might be leaving the league to play overseas, but it's hard to look past the way Schelotto has helped his team be so successful this year. I guess we will just have to wait and see. The Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player announcement will air live on ESPNews on Thursday, Nov. 20.

MLS Cup 2008

It's down to the final two. After a miraculous run by the New York Red Bulls there are only two teams left in the journey for the MLS Cup in 2008. The Columbus Crew, who have been a strong team all year, will take on the surprise New York Red Bulls. Neither of these teams have ever won the MLS Cup, or even been in the championship match.

The Road to Victory

The Columbus Crew tied the Kansas City Wizards in the Conference Semifinals First Leg 1-1. In the Conference Semifinals Second Leg the Columbus Crew made sure they advanced by scoring two goals to Kansas City Wizards zero. In the Eastern Conference Championship the Columbus Crew bested the Chicago Fire 2 to 1.

The New York Red Bulls also tied in the Conference Semifinals First Leg with the Houston Dynamo. But in the Second Leg the took it to the Houston Dynamo and won 3 to 0. In the Western Conference Championship the Red Bulls scored in the 28th minute and held for a surprise win over Real Salt Lake 1 to 0.

The Major League Soccer Cup Championship will be played on Sunday November 23 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. and can be watched on ABC.