After the 2008 season, Sigi Schmid left Columbus to coach Seattle Sounders FC, and the team named former player and assistant coach Robert Warzycha head coach. In 2009, women’s soccer jersey Barros Schelotto was rewarded with the honor of becoming the franchise’s first Designated Player. However, injuries hampered the team’s performance and the team finished the season 4-12. With that, the streak of consecutive winning seasons came to an end and Mike Smith had his first losing season as a head coach.
