Whether on the field, on the sidelines or behind-the-scenes, Columbus Crew Circle of Honor inductees have played an integral role in the Black & Gold’s eventful history. Created in 2011 in conjunction with the induction of Brian McBride, the Circle of Honor serves as the club’s highest honor and pays homage solely to its most iconic performers and personalities.
Selected first overall in Major League Soccer's Inaugural Player Draft in 1996, McBride became a mainstay for Columbus Crew, racking up 161 appearances and 62 goals from 1996-2003, while helping lead the side to the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title. He played for the Crew until 2003 when he joined Fulham of the English Premier League. McBride earned 95 caps for the USMNT from 1993-2006 and represented the United States at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups.
Frankie Hejduk is a former Columbus Crew standout and U.S. Men's National Team defender, known for representing the United States in the 1998 & 2002 FIFA World Cups and 1996 & 2000 Summer Olympics. In his playing days in Columbus from 2003-2010, Hejduk captained the Black & Gold to four of their five major trophies winning the city’s adoration along the way. He fittingly scoring the exclamation point tally late in the Crew’s 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls in the 2008 MLS Cup Final. But beyond the pitch, Hejduk has been the face of the Black & Gold around Columbus.
Schmid served as the Head Coach of the Columbus Crew from 2006-2008, leading the Club to its first MLS Cup in 2008 as part of a domestic double that also saw the Black & Gold win the Supporters’ Shield that year. That same season, Schmid was named the recipient of the MLS Coach of the Year Award, a League award that is now named after him. To this date, Crew SC’s 2008 season under Schmid remains the Club’s best season in terms of total points (57) and silverware won. During his three seasons in charge of the Crew, Schmid led the club to a winning 34-33-25 regular-season record.