Columbus Crew SC: 2016 Season Recap

From MLS Cup Finals to bust, Crew SC find themselves outside of the red line. Here is their 2016 MLS Season Review.

Columbus Crew SC find themselves on the outside looking in of the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. This marks their second worse season in franchise history. The Black and Gold finished ninth place with 36 points. A very disappointing season also sees head coach Gregg Berhalter miss the playoffs since taking over in 2014.

Slow Start For Crew SC

Crew SC opened their season against the Portland Timbers. The team they faced in the 2015 MLS Cup Final. The Timbers defeated Crew SC 2-1 to win their first MLS Cup. To open the season, Crew SC fell yet again to the Timbers, by the same scoreline. In their home opener against the Philadelphia Union, the Black and Gold would fall 2-1. Columbus would gain two points in their matches against rivals Chicago Fire, and recent Supporters Shield winners FC Dallas with a draw in each game. Crew SC’s first win didn’t come until April 16th when they defeated New York City FC by a score of 3-2 at home.

Curse of the Kits?

Of course, many fans have speculation as to why Columbus has done so poorly this season. One major conspiracy theory is their new away kits. Known as the ‘For Columbus’ kit

Oct 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Wil Trapp (20) heads the ball against the New York City FC during the second half at Yankee Stadium. New York City FC won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

s, this was the big one amongst the lips of fans. In the picture to the right is the ‘For Columbus’ kit worn by Columbus native Wil Trapp. The color scheme of the kit is to match the city flag of Columbus, Ohio. Another conspiracy theory was that the blockbuster trade involving Kei Kamara. Long story short, after a debate for a penalty kick early in the season with teammate Federico Higuain, Kamara publicly blasted the Argentine calling him “selfish” and “not a teammate.” These comments would find the Sierra Leone striker end up with the New England Revolution. But long before the trade, Columbus honestly wasn’t that good.

Ola Kamara takes the reigns

Since the Kei Kamara trade, who would Columbus look to for goals? This would be handed down to Norwegian native Ola Kamara. Needless to say, he handled it relatively well. Kamara ended the season scoring 16 goals. This would be enough for Kamara to take the leading goal scorer for the club this season. Ola would become the fan favorite of the season. Amongst comparison between Ola and Kei, Ola has done something that Kei has yet to do. Get a hat trick. In the last meeting between the Revs and Crew SC, fans let Kei Kamara know their displeasure against him, showering him with boos every touch of the ball, and chants of “He’s better than Kei. Ola Kamara. He’s better than Kei.” And no, Ola and Kei are not related.

Injury Galore

As if the season hadn’t already been tough, the Black and Gold had to deal with many injuries. Striker Conor Casey had been out the majority of the season dealing with a concussion. Along with Casey was Tyson Wahl who also battled with a concussion filled season. Wahl would end up announcing his retirement from professional soccer. Center back Gaston Sauro battled with a leg injury for a good portion of the season. Wil Trapp also battled with a concussion late in the sea

Aug 13, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew SC defender Waylon Francis (14) is helped to his feet by head trainer Craig Devine and goalkeeper Steve Clark (1) during the game against New York City FC at MAPFRE Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

son and made his return towards the end of the 2016 campaign. Left back Waylon

Francis disappeared from the Crew SC roster unexpectedly. Francis would end up having shoulder surgery leaving him out for the remaining of the season. The biggest blow had to be Federico Higuain undergoing hernia surgery. Higuain would reappear after the surgery for two matches, then vanish again before making a return at the end of the season.

Team MVP

The MVP for Crew SC would go to Ola Kamara, hands down. The striker battled hard with the weight of being the starting striker on his shoulders since the beginning of the season. Scoring 16 goals, while being criticized by fans because he’s no Kei Kamara, definitely showed how eager and keen he was to help his team. Kamara, however, didn’t live up to his potential this season. From riding the bench, to regular starter, he hasn’t shown what he is truly made of. He will have the opportunity to that if Crew SC elect to keep him for the 2017 season.