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Columbus Crew: Best starting XI of 2010s

By John Harbeck

COMMERCE CITY, CO - JUNE 03: Federico Higuain #10 of the Columbus Crew SC celebrates his goal with Waylon Francis #14 against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on June 3, 2017 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, CO - JUNE 03: Federico Higuain #10 of the Columbus Crew SC celebrates his goal with Waylon Francis #14 against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on June 3, 2017 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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10 May 2014: Waylon Francis #14 of the Columbus Crew and Steven Beitashour #33 of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC battle for the ball during the game between the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images)
10 May 2014: Waylon Francis #14 of the Columbus Crew and Steven Beitashour #33 of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC battle for the ball during the game between the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Left-Back

Waylon Francis 

Much like the goalkeeper position, left-back sets up fairly conveniently to pick a top player. There is one player who has a case to take the crown in Milton Valenzuela, a young DP that despite only enjoying one healthy season for the Columbus Crew has an exciting attacking flair. In fact, with Valenzuela only aged 21, look for him to be included on the next decade’s Best XI team should the club hang onto him.

The other players who have manned the position are a weak list comprising only of Jukka Raitala and Shaun Francis. Those two have only played a role in one or two seasons and were largely forgettable.

Now for Waylon Francis, who was a 2015 MLS All-star selection and is currently in his second stint with Columbus. Francis came of age under Berhalter in his very attacking full-back style of play after coming over from Costa Rica.

Francis has a more limited skill set than Valenzuela, but what he does bring to the table is deadly. That one skill is, of course, delivering wonderful crosses. That 2015 season, with Kei Kamara leading the line, Francis was incredibly productive, notching seven assists and commanding the entire left side of the field, giving Justin Meram license to drift infield. Again, Valenzuela is the future of the position assuming a healthy return, but Francis circa 2015 is the choice.

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