2004 Columbus Crew season
The 2004 Columbus Crew season was the club's ninth season of existence and their ninth consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of soccer in the United States. The first match of the season was on April 3 against NY/NJ MetroStars. It was the fourth season under head coach Greg Andrulis.
The Crew won their first MLS trophy this season, the Supporters' Shield, by leading the league with 49 points. They would be upset by the New England Revolution by an aggregate score of 2–1 in the conference semifinals. They reached the round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup.
This would be the final season for longtime Crew members Jeff Cunningham and Brian Maisonneuve. This was also the first season for longtime Crew defender Chad Marshall, the second pick of the draft.
Non-competitive
Preseason
The Crew started their slate of preseason matches in Bradenton, FL. For these initial games, they brought in Paweł Drumlak on trial. The Crew then went to Spain for another series of preseason matches against local opponents before returning to the US and winning the first Carolina Challenge Cup.Midseason
During the season played a couple charity matches. In the Keith Evans Memorial Match against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the Crew brought in Kirk Harwat from the Akron Zips.Competitive
MLS
Standings
Eastern Conference">Eastern Conference (MLS)">Eastern Conference
Overall table
Statistics
Appearances and goals
Under "Apps" for each section, the first number represents the number of starts, and the second number represents appearances as a substitute.Transfers
MLS Draft picks
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in. The picks for the Columbus Crew are listed below:Awards
[2004 MLS All-Star Game]
;Starters- DF Frankie Hejduk
- DF Robin Fraser
- GK Jon Busch
Postseason
;MLS Coach of the Year;MLS Defender of the Year
- DF Robin Fraser
;MLS Commissioner's Award
;MLS Best XI
- DF Robin Fraser
- Tucker Walther
- David Zorn
- Dylan Hanlon
Crew Team Awards
- Most Valuable Player – Jon Busch
- Defensive Player of the Year – Robin Fraser
- Scoring Champion – Edson Buddle
- Man of the Year – Duncan Oughton
- Coach's Award – Simon Elliott
- Newcomer of the Year – Chad Marshall
- Goal of the Year – Edson Buddle
- Humanitarian of the Year – Nelson Akwari
- Hardest Working Man of the Year – Chris Wingert
- Comeback Player of the Year – Brian Maisonneuve
- Fan of the Year – Susie Gasbarro