Last year had all the makings of a fairytale for the Columbus Crew. All over the country soccer fans and players rallied behind the MLS charter franchise, fighting to keep its season and history alive.
Head coach: Gregg Berhalter
2017 regular season: 16-12-6, 54 points; No. 5 East.
Postseason: Lost to Toronto in conference final.
Season recap
The Columbus Crew went on a 10-game unbeaten streak to close out the regular season and grab a spot in the playoffs. After taking down mighty expansion side Atlanta United FC in front of its home crowd, the Crew went on to upend New York City FC before falling to eventual MLS Cup champion Toronto FC in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Federico Higuain was named Crew MVP for his team-high 14 assists, while Ola Kamara took home the team’s Golden Boot award with 18 goals. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen also had a standout season with 98 saves and nine clean sheets. All three players finished the year among the top five in the league in those statistical categories. Justin Meram also heavily contributed with 13 goals and seven assists.
#SaveTheCrew: Fans cried out in outrage as soon as news broke that Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt was looking into moving the club to Austin, Texas. The #SaveTheCrew movement spread throughout the country. Signs showed up in the stands of nearly every MLS match toward the end of the season, a website went up to gather support and there was even a documentary. It may not make a difference, though, as the potential move is in Precourt’s contract with the league and discussions with the city of Columbus to keep the team there continue to stagnate.
2018 goals
Make the season as memorable as possible.
The Crew unveiled new black jerseys for 2018, with features like a “Charter Member #01” patch on the front of the jersey and on the back a “heritage shield” commemorating the club’s initial MLS season in 1996. It’s clear the Crew want 2018 to be special.
However, it could be difficult to accomplish that with the franchise’s future in questions. There are also reports of two top players, Kamara and Meram, requesting trades.
“For us, we’re planning to build a competitive team next year,” Crew coach Gregg Berhalter said in an MLSsoccer.com interview. “We’re planning to build a team that can win, and right now they’re part of that team.”
Opener: March 3 @ Toronto FC, 1 p.m.
Offseason moves
The Crew continue to make moves while evaluating offers for some of its bigger names.
Signings – Acquired M Artur on permanent transfer from Sao Paulo FC following 2017 loan.
Trades – Acquired GK Jon Kempin from L.A. Galaxy in exchange for fourth round pick in 2018 Major League Soccer SuperDraft; Acquired M Mike Grella from Colorado Rapids in exchange for second round selection in 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
Contract option declined – GK Logan Ketterer; GK Brad Stuver (later traded to NYCFC for fourth-round pick in 2019 MLS SuperDraft); D Waylon Francis (later traded to Seattle Sounders for $50,000 allocation money); D Gaston Sauro; M Marshall Hollingsworth; M Abuchi Obinwa; M Rodrigo Saravia; M Ben Swanson
Contract expired – F Kekuta Manneh
Other – D Jukka Raitala (selected by LAFC in expansion draft, Crew receive $50,000 GAM in return).