Nov. 23, 2008

UCLA alumni Frankie Hejduk, Sigi Schmid and Mike Lapper led the Columbus Crew to its first-ever MLS title on Sunday with a 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls in the 2008 MLS Cup at Carson, Calif.

Hejduk, who played at UCLA from 1992-94, scored the game's final goal in the 82nd minute with a header in the box to put his team ahead by a 3-1 count. League MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto assisted on the play and on all three Crew goals. Hejduk becomes the 16th former Bruin player to win an MLS title.

Columbus has two Bruins on the coaching staff in head coach Sigi Schmid (UCLA coach from 1980-98 and four-year starter from 1972-75) and assistant coach Mike Lapper (played at UCLA from 1988-91). Schmid, the 2008 MLS Coach of the Year, won his second MLS title after previously winning with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2002. He becomes the first MLS coach ever to win multiple titles with two different teams.