With the end of the year quickly approaching, and the 2009 season starting to recede into memories both good and bad, this seems to be a good time to look back and begin to consider how the Crew's performance this season compares to previous years. One way to do this is to examine how playing time was distributed in 2009, compared with past seasons.

Which MLS team has won the most trophies since 2002? If the Columbus Crew are not your first thought, that is understandable. The team endured three miserable seasons from 2005-07, winning only 28 games out of 94 played (28-42-24), failing to make the playoffs each time. In 2006, the team finished dead last. Bracketing that forgettable three year stretch, however, the team also took home five domestic trophies - more than any other team (DC United and the LA Galaxy each won four).

In order to advance, the Columbus Crew needed to score two goals tonight against Real Salt Lake. They accomplished that in the game's first 35 minutes. Unfortunately, over the ensuing 55 minutes they proceeded to give up three goals, eliminating them from the playoffs.

The Columbus Crew saw a hard-earned tie slip through their feet on Saturday evening, losing 0-1 to Real Salt Lake. Robbie Findley scored on a close range deflection in the 88th minute, leaving the reigning MLS Cup and Supporters Shield winners needing a two-goal victory in the home leg of their playoff series this Thursday.