Columbus Crew: 2020 Preview - Return to the Postseason?

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COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 29: Youness Mokhtar #34 of Columbus Crew SC celebrates after scoring a goal during action between the Philadelphia Union and the Columbus Crew SC on September 29, 2019, at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

With less than a month to go until the start of the 2020 MLS campaign, we are taking a look at how each team has evolved since last year, and their chances this term. This time, we look at Columbus Crew.

For the first time in three seasons, the Columbus Crew failed to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs, having reached at least the Conference semi-finals in the previous two campaigns. In 2019, the Ohio-based side could only manage a 10th-place finish in the Eastern Conference, ending the regular-season seven points below the playoff line.

The club racked up 38 points across their 34 games during the course of the regular season and only scored 39 times. Their offensive output was a problem throughout the season. Columbus made it to the Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup for the first time since 2016 after beating USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the fourth round. However, they lost to the eventual champions, Atlanta United, 3-2 in the fifth round of the competition.

Related Story. Columbus Crew: Best-rated starting XI of 2019 season. light

Here is how things are shaping up for the Columbus Crew in 2020.

COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 10: Columbus Crew SC forward Pedro Santos #7 celebrates a goal during the match between Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on August 10, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Best Performers

The only player to average more than a 7/10 WhoScored rating over the course of the 2019 campaign was Portuguese attacking midfielder Pedro Santos, who scored 11 goals during the regular season. Only one other player scored more than twice throughout the term, with star striker Gyasi Zardes bagging 13 goals as the team’s top goalscorer.

The likes of Wil Trapp and Artur were solid presences in the middle of the park, but their best goalkeeper played just 13 times throughout the campaign as USMNT star Zack Steffen made the move to Manchester City in the summer.

With injuries striking Milton Valenzuela and Federico Higuain early in the season, the Crew were left shorthanded of elite quality at times, and it showed in their results, especially early on.

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Columbus Crew: 2020 Preview – Return to the Postseason?

By Matt Coles | Feb 5, 2020

With less than a month to go until the start of the 2020 MLS campaign, we are taking a look at how each team has evolved since last year, and their chances this term. This time, we look at Columbus Crew.