2019 in Review



It was bad. Injuries devastated the team leading to one of the worst runs in MLS history where the Crew only picked up 4 points from 15 games. A flurry of summer signings and trades, including a new keeper in Eloy Room and a new DP winger in Luis Diaz, resulted in improved results but underlying numbers peaked at an average team. There were some bright spots. Pedro Santos had a career year, Aboubacar Keita returned from the U-20 World Cup in good form, and the Crew throttled FC Cincinnati at Nippert showing the fußballers that Hell is, indeed, Real. But really, 2019 is a season best forgotten.

Offseason REview

Key Departures

Federico Higuain: After a torn ACL ended his 2019 season early, Pipa was not re-signed for 2020. Pipa orchestrated the Crew’s attack since he joined the team midseason in 2012 leaving as the all-time leader in assists and third in goals for the club.

Wil Trapp: “Willy Franchise” (note: nobody outside majorleaguesoccersoccer.com has ever called him this) leaves his hometown club for Miami after 7 seasons. While Trapp found success under Gregg Berhalter, the role that Caleb Porter has for his central midfielders doesn’t quite fit Trapp’s strengths.

Key Arrivals

Fanendo Adi: The striker, who struggled on and off the field since his trade from Portland, was picked up off waivers from FC Cincinnati. Columbus will only pick up $205k of his almost $2m salary, with Cincinnati picking up the balance after using their one off-season buyout on him. Adi previously had success under Caleb Porter and, if he can return to form, the Crew will finally have the reliable back-up striker they’ve been searching for.

Chris Cadden: was signed last summer from Motherwell but was loaned to English League One side Oxford United until this January. The 22 year-old impressed on loan in his 21 matches at right back and the Crew were reportedly offered £1m by Oxford but turned it down.

Darlington Nagbe: The Crew paid over $1m in allocation money to reunite Nagbe with Caleb Porter. Nagbe is the box-to-box midfielder that Porter needs for his system to work that Wil Trapp was not.

Milton Valenzuela: While not a new signing, Valenzuela’s return from an injury suffered in pre-season training last year provides a massive boost for the team. He was arguably the best left back in MLS in 2018 and is one of the brightest young prospects in the league.

Vito Wormgoor: The Dutchman was signed on a free transfer from Norway’s SK Brann. Wormgoor looks to solidify the left center back spot next to Jonathan Mensah. The veteran defender converted seven of his eight penalties during his time at SK Brann and brings a much-needed man-bun to the Crew.



Lucas Zelarayan: The club-record signing (reportedly $7-8m) was purchased from Liga MX’s Tigres to replace fellow Argentinian Federico Higuain. While he was not the primary playmaker for Tigres, he will be for the Crew. I actually have no idea how he plays, but the MLS Assist podcast covered a bit about him (starts at 19:40).