Columbus Crew: Caleb Porter does not have it easy

Caleb Porter is the new head coach of the Columbus Crew. Despite finishing in the playoffs, Gregg Berhalter’s successor will not have it easy whatsoever.

The Columbus Crew ended last season in fifth position in the Eastern Conference.

They made the semi-finals, losing narrowly to the New York Red Bulls, the Supporters’ Shield winners and the team that broke the record for the most points in a regular season, and were not all that far away from an unlikely MLS Cup trophy.

That is not a season to be scoffed at whatsoever. Although it always disappointing to ultimately fall short, especially after falling out of the playoffs the year prior in the Eastern Conference Championship, again losing to the team that set the points record for the regular season, that time Toronto FC.

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This is indeed a positive organisation with a good squad to build from. There is a lot to like about the Crew for the future. But make no mistake, Gregg Berhalter, who was appointed to the Head Coach role of the U.S. Men’s National Team this winter, squeezed everything he could out of the Columbus Crew. For anyone succeeding him, doing the same is no easy task.

The man that the Crew have turned to lead out of the Berhalter era and embrace this new Columbus-based era, without any questions over where the organisation would be based, at least for now, is Caleb Porter, the former head coach of the Portland Timbers, where he won the MLS Cup in 2015.

Porter is a bright manager. His time at the Timbers was a little odd. He arrived with this pass-first philosophy. It started wonderfully, but quickly derailed. He then adapted somewhat and the Timbers won win the MLS Cup in his third season, although the football was not nearly as attractive — and some would argue effective, despite the result.

There are few coaches that you would rather have in this situation than Porter. he is experienced, intelligent, tactically excellent, and has a clear plan and process, especially if he reverts back to his brilliant days at the University of Akron, prior to his time in Portland. When it became apparent that Berhalter was set for the USMNT head coaching position and Columbus decided to hire a new club president with new ownership at the same time, I am sure that Porter would have been one of the first names mentioned.

But this is no easy job. Of course, he is not inheriting the mess of the Chicago Fire roster. Or the overpriced jumble of Orlando City. And he is getting a city that cares about the club, under new, vibrant, positive ownership. But Berhalter did a truly brilliant job year in, year out. Succeeding that is no walk in the park.

Porter is capable. His track record proves as much. But this is not the easy job than many may think it is.