Columbus captures MLS Cup

CARSON, Calif. – Midfield maestro Guillermo Barros Schelotto collected some more hefty bling. Coach Sigi Schmid got a sense of redemption.

The 35-year-old Schelotto, a longtime star in his native Argentina, assisted on all the Columbus Crew’s goals in Sunday’s 3-1 MLS Cup victory over the New York Red Bulls. Afterward, he received the game’s MVP award to go with the regular-season MVP trophy he was presented earlier in the week.

Schmid hoisted the Cup in the home stadium of the Los Angeles Galaxy, a team that axed him in 2004, two years after he guided the club to the MLS championship.

“It’s a very emotional moment for me, winning this game here in L.A. in front of family and friends. And, to be quite honest, the town that I was fired in,” Schmid said.

Alejandro Moreno scored in the first half for Columbus and, after New York’s John Wolyniec tied it 1-1 in the 51st minute, Chad Marshall put the Crew back in front two minutes later. Frankie Hejduk added an insurance goal.

“We played a very good second half,” Schelotto said through an interpreter. “The first half was a bit more difficult. We were lucky to get that second goal off a corner kick. After that, I believe we were much better than the other team.”

That rapid response to New York’s tying goal was deflating for the Red Bulls, Wolyniec said.

“The timing of the second goal was disappointing,” he said. “We were on a high from tying the game and it’s tough to come back.”

Both Columbus and New York were original members of the MLS when it began in 1996, and both were playing in the league championship game for the first time.

The Crew’s season-crowning championship completed an impressive turnaround from last year, when they went 9-11-10.