OBETZ, Ohio – The Columbus Crew announced Friday that it has inked its good luck charm to a four-year contract extension.
Okay, the release didn’t say that. But finalizing a deal with defensive midfielder Brian Carroll must feel like that.
Carroll has been instrumental in his teams winning four straight Supporters’ Shield and he has the Crew in the running for another this season.
The first two came in 2006 and ’07 with D.C. United, where he also won the MLS Cup in 2004.
After being claimed by San Jose in the 2007 expansion draft the Crew acquired him from the Earthquakes for Kei Kamara.
The Crew won the Supporters’ Shield and its first MLS Cup in 2008 as Carroll played all but eight minutes for his new club. The Crew repeated as Shield winners last season and is tied for first in the Eastern Conference with New York this year.
“He’s a 100 percent professional and a good guy to have on the team,” coach Robert Warzycha said. “With BC, sometimes you don’t even notice him on the field. He’s not flashy or scores goals. He’s a very responsible person.”
Carroll, 28, has what every player wants – security. He noted that his wife, Katie, is due with their first child in September.
“It’s nice to have some understanding what the next couple of years are going to be,” he said. “I’m happy to be here in Columbus and hope to be for a long time. It’s good to have it done and I can focus on helping the team win and get better.”
No financial terms were given but the former Wake Forest player has a base salary of $140, 569 this year in figures released by the Major League Soccer Players Union.
Carroll has three goals in 188 games. His lone Crew score on Aug. 16, 2008, vs. FC Dallas earned him MLS Goal of the Week honors.
Still, his main job is to help prevent goals being scored on the Crew.
“You know if you put him on the field he will give 100 percent,” Warzycha said. “His age is good. He’s coming into his prime.”
