Tony Tchani and Justin Meram are the last guys remaining from the 2011 Columbus Crew playoff season. That year they crashed out of the playoffs in the first round to the Colorado Rapids on a Thursday(?) in front of 8,000.
Meram didn't play that night, but Tchani did much to the surprise of just about everyone in Columbus. If you remember back, he was traded to Columbus in July and came into town unable to play due to injury. His start was a head scratcher. Looking back now we see that Robert Warzycha's faith in him as a player wasn't completely misguided. Tchani is one of the cornerstones of Gregg Berhalter's starting lineup.
2011 was a three team year for him. Starting in NY with the Red Bulls, then to Toronto and finally with Columbus. He's a good example of the league knowing he was a good player, just not able to unlock what he had inside of him.
Tchani has developed a large on-pitch personality. He's always involved in one scuffle or another. Pushing, shoving, talking, smiling, mean-mugging, or what have you. It's the type of player you see on a lot of good teams. Not quite the enforcer, per say. But, something close.
One thing is for certain - Tony Tchani is one huge reason Columbus Crew SC are in the MLS Cup Final.
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