MLS Opening Weekend: Top six exciting match-ups from Week 1

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5. The New Crew (Chicago Fire @ Columbus Crew SC)

The Columbus Crew SC come into the 2017 season with a lot to prove. In 2016 the Crew SC were the defending Eastern Conference Champions, but they would end the season second to last in the conference.

The last place team? Their opening week opponents, the Chicago Fire. This match is definitely not a showcase of powerhouse teams from 2016. However, the Crew SC have made some exciting changes to their defense, including the signing of their second Designated Player: international Center-Back Jonathan Mensah.

If Columbus‘s new defense can perform half as well as their offense did last season, it’s very likely we could see the Columbus Crew SC rise back to the top of the Eastern Conference in 2017.