Tag Archives: Columbus Crew

Alex Riggs Signed By Columbus Crew

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Missouri State, Alex Riggs (2011)

Missouri State, Alex Riggs (2011)

Congratulations to Missouri State University goalkeeping standout Alex Riggs on turning professional. Following a tryout in Arizona with the team, Alex has signed a contract with the Columbus Crew of the MLS.

The conversation leading up to the signing, according to the Crew Extra Blog went along these lines:

The Crew continues to mull its backup goalkeeping options. It would prefer to sign a young No. 3 who would be roster and cap exempt. But with starter William Hesmer still recovering from a shoulder fracture and No. 2 Andy Gruenebaum out indefinitely with a hip injury the Crew doesn’t want to chance having to rely on an inexperienced No. 3 in its upcoming CCL series. Former Ohio State and FC Dallas keeper Ray Burse is an option but his former experience would command a senior roster spot and a guaranteed contract.

Riggs was named the 2010 Missouri Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Year after leading the league in goals against average (0.73), save percentage (.857) and shutouts (9) among full-time starting keepers. He was also named to the All-MVC first team and MVC All-Tournament team. Riggs ended his career second on the MSU career list in start in net (62), minutes played in net (5,934), goals against average (0.93), shutouts (23) and saves (279). He was selected as the MVC Defensive Player of the Week six times in his career including twice this season (Oct. 11 and Oct. 25).

Dwight Burgess Named Missouri Southern Lions Head Coach

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dwight burgess by will shilling

dwight burgess by will shilling

Missouri Southern State University Director of Athletics Jared Bruggeman has announced the selection of Dwight Burgess as its new head women’s soccer coach. He begins his duties officially at Southern on August 15.

Burgess, a veteran of nearly 30 years in coaching, has spent the past ten years as both the men’s and women’s soccer coach at Capital University in Ohio. He coached the men from 2000-2009, and the women from 2002-2009.

“We’re very excited to have coach Burgess on our staff,” Bruggeman said. “He brings in a wealth of experience and talent and I have no doubt that he can continue the success that our women’s soccer program has had. I would also like to thank the efforts of the search committee. They worked hard, and under short notice, came through splendidly”

“I’m absolutely elated for the opportunity,” Burgess said. “I had ten great years at Capital and was very happy with what we accomplished, but felt it was time that I move on. It was late in the year and didn’t know what was out there, but was intrigued by the opportunity at Southern.”

“During the course of the interview process, I had a chance to spend some time with some current players and was even more drawn to the job and intrigued with their contagious excitement. I am looking forward to being a part of the tradition and being competitive in a very tough conference.”

Burgess turned around a struggling Capital men’s program that had in the previous seven seasons went 12-112-2 overall and just 1-62 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Crusaders men went 97-84-16 overall in Burgess’ tenure and 42-42-6 in the OAC, while he led the women to an 89-61-17 overall mark and 45-21-6 record in conference action.

Burgess’ men’s team won the OAC Conference title in November and he also had applied in January to be a member of the NCAA Rules Committee, with a September 2010 opening. In addition, Burgess is known as the “Voice of TheCrew” where he works as a color analyst. According to a Columbus OH sportswriter, Burgess will work MLS games “as much as possible.” via @smitchcd

Catch The Wizards At Coester’s Tonight

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KC Wizards LogoKC Wizards vs Columbus Crew is the national broadcast tonight, the game begins at 7:00 pm on ESPN. I’ll be at Coester’s enjoying the game tonight – Jack Jewsbury and team in HD on the big screen with some food and beverage specials. Almost heaven if you ask me. And it’s always more fun with a group.

The game should be interesting. From Soccer By Ives comes this assessment of the Crew’s loss to Real Salt Lake this weekend

The Crew were never really out of the game. They surged forward regularly. They had open players with looks at the goal. As is becoming their trademark this year, they charged up and down the wings with abandon. But at every turn, one small blip by the projectionist would unhinge the attack.

Contrast that to the last game between these two

On June 14 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark — a Wizards homecoming after a two-month absence — the Crew dismantled the Wizards for a 3-0 victory. Now the Wizards want redemption, and they want it soon

Jack’s back on the right defense and the team has gone 2-0-2 since that loss. A win tonight would leapfrog Kansas City ahead of Toronto FC and D.C. United and pull them within four points of the second-place Crew. Plenty to love about that motivation!