MLS: 5 teams who fell short of expectations in 2019
By Matt Coles
Columbus Crew SC
Having reached the playoffs, and made it to the Conference semi-finals in 2018, the Columbus Crew were expected to reach the same stage in 2019. But they fell away from that and could only manage a 10th place finish in the East. They lost the likes of Mike Grella through retirement and Justin Meram, Patrick Mullins, Joe Bendik and Zack Steffen all in the summer transfer window. They also replaced head coach USMNT-bound head coach Gregg Berhalter with Caleb Porter. That, perhaps more than anything, was too difficult a hurdle to overcome.
The Crew did have a couple of bright sparks in a gloomy season. Gyasi Zardes started the season well and eventually finished the campaign with 13 goals, while Pedro Santos also reached double figures. Nine other players scored for the team in league play, but none of those got more than two goals.
The Crew struggled to a measly 39 goals on the season, marginally more than one per game. Add to that the concession of 47 goals in 34 games and the recipe for success is not quite right. They were also one of the first teams eliminated from this season’s playoff race. That, in the end, tells you everything you need to know.