The 2007 Columbus Crew season was the club's twelfth season of existence, and their twelfth consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. Columbus also competed in the U.S. Open Cup but failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The season covered the period from November 9, 2006 to the start of the 2008. Although the Crew faced FC Dallas in the regular season, control of the inaugural edition of the Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup was decided in the preseason. Columbus claimed a 3–0 victory and hoisted the cup for the first time. The Crew were eliminated in the U.S. Open Cup qualification semifinals by Los Angeles Galaxy and finished three points out of a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the third consecutive season without a playoff berth for Columbus. Background In the 2006 season the Crew finished sixth place in the East, finished last in the Supporters' Shield table, and failed to qualify for the U.S. Open Cup or the CONCACAF Champions' Cup. Columbus lost defender Ritchie Kotschau to expansion team Toronto FC, but he would be replaced by 2007 MLS SuperDraft second-round selection Brad Evans. Coach Sigi Schmid would also bring in Danny O'Rourke, Robbie Rogers, Alejandro Moreno, William Hesmer, and the team's very first Designated Player, Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The 2007 season was ultimately unsuccessful, but would be a rebuilding year for Columbus in preparation for the 2008 season, in which they would win both the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup. Roster Non-competitive Competitive MLS Standings Eastern Conference – Toronto FC cannot qualify for the U.S. Open Cup, as it is a Canadian-based team.If they had qualified for an automatic berth into the U.S. Open Cup, the next highest placed team in the Eastern Conference not already qualified would have qualified. Overall table Results summary Results by round Match results U.S. Open Cup Statistics Appearances and goals Disciplinary record Clean sheets Awards Sources: MLS Player of the Week MLS Player of the Month 2007 MLS All-Star Game FW Guillermo Barros Schelotto MF Frankie Hejduk Postseason MLS Best XI MF Guillermo Barros Schelotto Columbus Crew Team Awards Most Valuable Player – Guillermo Barros Schelotto Golden Boot – Alejandro Moreno Defender of the Year – Frankie Hejduk Breakthrough Performance of the Year – Guillermo Barros Schelotto Humanitarian of the Year – Danny O'Rourke Comeback Player of the Year – Frankie Hejduk Hardest Working