Although the Columbus Crew and the New York Red Bulls are competing in their first MLS Cup on Sunday, each team features players who have been to MLS Cup in the past. The Crew has the edge on Cup-experienced players.

Columbus defender Ezra Hendrickson can lay claim to having the most MLS Cup experience, with four appearances under his belt.  He was a starter in three MLS Cup Finals with the Los Angeles Galaxy – in 1999, 2001 and 2002 - year in which the Galaxy finally claimed the championship.  Hendrickson was then a member of D.C. United’s 2004 MLS Cup Champion team, but he was an unused substitute in the game. 

Midfielder Brian Carroll was Hendrickson’s teammate on the 2004 MLS Cup-winning D.C. United team, and he played the full 90 minutes.

Pat Noonan appeared in three consecutive MLS Cup Finals with the New England Revolution from 2005 to 2007. 

The final Crew player with Cup experience is forward Alejandro Moreno, who saw time as a substitute on two Cup-winning teams – the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2002 and the Houston Dynamo in 2006.

Two members of the New York Red Bulls have been to MLS Cup in the past. 

Defender Kevin Goldthwaite is making his second trip to MLS Cup, having been a reserve with the 2006 MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo. 

Suspended goalkeeper Jon Conway was a backup keeper for the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001 and 2003 – the Quakes lifted the MLS Cup trophy over their heads both years.

Press release courtesy of www.MLSnet.com