Heavy Champions Cup loss should not dampen Crew’s historically brilliant year

Despite falling short in the final, Wilfried Nancy's side have enjoyed a superb 12 months and earned the respect of the continent

DC United, LA Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders did something the Columbus Crew could not. Wilfried Nancy's team could have added their name to the list of MLS teams to have won a continental title. Instead, the Crew were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Pachuca in Saturday's Concacaf Champions Cup final.

And yet even as runners-up, Columbus achieved something profound - they won the respect of the region. For two months, Nancy-ball' took over Concacaf just as it has MLS. In a region where American and Canadian teams have historically struggled for credibility, the Crew earned it and then some. What other MLS side has ever been applauded off the pitch by Mexican supporters, as Columbus were in the quarter and semi-finals? CF Monterrey and Tigres UANL fans knew they'd seen something special.