Columbus Crew SC: 2017 Season Preview
By Tyler Fisher
Columbus Crew SC look to rebound in 2017 after a disappointing 2016 season. A look at the off-season activity and predicting the coming year.
After making the MLS Cup Final in 2015, they were favorites to win in 2016. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. 2016 marked the worse year in franchise history. After the blockbuster trade of Kei Kamara, things went downhill. Can Crew SC turn things around and make another Cinderella MLS Cup run?
A Recap of 2016
Record: 8-14-12
Finishing Position: 9th place in the Eastern Conference
Post-season: N/A
Last season, Crew SC finished with 36 points, enough for ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Just five points above their bitter rivals, the Chicago Fire. Towards the end of the season, Crew SC were in possible playoff contention after winning four straight. That quickly derailed and saw them miss the playoffs.
Transfers Out
- D – Tyson Wahl (10/24/16 – Retired)
- F – Conor Casey (10/27/16 – Retired)
- GK – Steve Clark (11/23/16 – Option Declined. Signed with AC Horsens in Danish Superliga)
- GK – Matt Pacifici (11/23/16 – Option Declined)
- D – Corey Ashe (11/23/16 – Option Declined)
- M – Cedrick Mabwati (11/23/16 – Option Declined)
- D – Chad Barson (11/23/16 – Out Of Contract)
- D – Michael Parkhurst (12/11/16 – Traded to Atlanta United FC)
- M – Mohammed Saeid (12/13/16 – Expansion Draft. Picked up by Minnesota United.)
Transfers In
As mentioned before, Crew SC traded Kei Kamara to the New England Revolution after a dispute over a penalty kick with teammate Federico Higuain. Just recently, Crew SC have made huge transfers, boosting both the defense and midfield.
- D – Alex Crognale (12/20/16 – Homegrown)
- D – Jukka Raitala (12/23/16 – Free)
- D – Jonathan Mensah (1/3/17 – Transfer from Anzhi Makhachkala)
- D – Josh Williams (1/5/17 – Re-Entry Draft)
- D – Lalas Abubakar (1/13/17 – SuperDraft)
- F – Niko Hansen (1/13/17 – SuperDraft)
- M – Mohammed Abu (1/24/17 – Transfer from Stromsgodset)
- M – Abuchi Obinwa (1/25/17 – Free)
- M – Artur (2/13/17 – Loan from Sao Paulo
Predicting the Starting XI for Opening Weekend
Well, there are certainly a lot of options to choose from. It’s too early to tell who will be starting, especially if head coach Gregg Berhalter is still working out the goalkeeper situation. Here is a predicted starting lineup for the opening weekend.
How Will Crew SC Fair In 2017?
Changes have been made, but will they be for the greater good? Crew SC will fair pretty well in 2017 if they can not slip up like last season. Let it be a lesson learned. This year the Crew will end up getting third place in the East. That’s good enough for a playoff spot.
Finish Position: 3rd in the Eastern Conference
Next: Winningest Franchises in MLS History