Aug 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Columbus Crew SC midfielder Wil Trapp (20) reacts after a goal against New York City FC during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that 2016 was a rough year for Columbus Crew SC, and it seems they’ve taken this offseason to address their biggest problem: Defense.

Offense was never the problem in 2016 for Columbus Crew SC. Whether it was Kei Kamara during the first third of the season, or Ola Kamara finishing the year off, there was never any shortage of goals for the Black & Gold. The Crew SC finished the season with an impressive 50 goals for in 2016, the 7th best in MLS, although that wasn’t enough to keep Columbus from finishing 17th out of the 20 clubs in league.

The downfall of the Black & Gold was their inability to stop the attack. The defensive end of the field allowed 58 goals against, which was the second worst in MLS. So, it should come as no surprise that in the wake of the 2016 season, Columbus Crew SC is seeing a massive defensive shake up.

Let’s take a look at and analyze each of the defensive moves made by the Crew SC so far during this offseason.

Goalkeeper Steve Clark will not be brought back for 2017 season

Early in the post season, the announcement was made that Columbus would not be bringing back goalkeeper Steve Clark. Many fans were stunned at the decision, as Clark had become a staple in Columbus, starting the last 100 straight games. Regardless, following a season that 58 goals were allowed, somebody has to take the heat; and who better to blame then the man who let the shots get past him?

It’ll be interesting to see if the gloves are handed to Brad Stuver (who has only made 2 MLS appearances), Zack Steffen (who has yet to make his MLS debut), or if Columbus will be bringing in a new goalkeeper before the 2017 season.

Quick Analysis:

A bold move by Columbus Crew SC. Clark had been a solid goalkeeper before the 2016 season, but some fans still have trouble forgetting the shoddy goalkeeping that cost Columbus the 2015 MLS Cup. Follow that up with a very disappointing 2016, and you’d be hard pressed to argue with the decision by the club to move on without Clark.

Michael Parkhurst traded to Atlanta United for General Allocation Money

Brought in before the 2014 season, Michael Parkhurst made a splash in Columbus quickly. He was named Captain shortly after joining the squad, and was a key player in getting the Crew SC into back to back playoffs and a MLS Cup appearance during his first two seasons in the club.

2016 was a very different story however, and much of the blame for the club’s lackluster defense and 58 goals against fell on his shoulders.

Quick Analysis:

If you want to show your dedication to change, trading the team captain and not bringing back the goalkeeper is a big way to do it. Surprising as it may be to see the captain traded away, an aging Parkhurst didn’t have much to offer in 2016.

Going forward, it’s safe to assume vice-captain Will Trapp will be promoted to captain.

International Center Back Jonathan Mensah signed as second Designated Player

The Columbus Crew SC backfield was beginning to look thin with the departure of Michael Parkhurst and the news that Gaston Sauro would be missing the entire 2017 season due to injuries. That is, until January 3rd, when the news came from Columbus, OH that the club had signed defensive powerhouse Jonathan Mensah from Ghana.

Mensah will be the Crew’s second designated player, alongside Federico Higuaín, and he brings with him a wealth of credibility. He is a 2 time World Cup veteran, and has earned 51 caps with his homeland of Ghana.

Quick Analysis:

The signing of Jonathan Mensah was announced with a lot of hype from Columbus Crew SC, and rightfully so. Already proven on the world stage, Mensah is only 26-years-old, and his best may still be yet to come.

Mensah commented that he thinks the move will be seamless thanks in part to his new Crew SC teammate Harrison Awful, who has joined Mensah twice on the Ghana World Cup team.

Young, experienced, and comfortable, Mensah may be the perfect defensive storm the Crew SC so desperately needs.

7-Year MLS veteran Josh Williams is returning to Columbus

Just 2 days after the signing of Jonathan Mensah, the Crew SC announced defender Josh Williams will be making his return to Columbus in 2017. Originally with Columbus Crew SC from 2010 to 2014, defender and Ohio-native Josh Williams joined New York City FC for the 2015 season, and more recently spent 2016 helping Toronto FC earn their first ever Eastern Conference Championship.

A true MLS veteran, Williams has started 93 MLS regular-season matches (68 of which were with Columbus during his original run with the club). Williams will certainly be looking to earn his second Eastern Conference Championship, this time with his home-state of Ohio.

Quick Analysis:

Josh Williams is another impressive round in the new Columbus Crew SC defensive arsenal. Having been part of the Crew SC from 2010 to 2014, he just missed the 2015 trip to the MLS Cup with Columbus, only to make it to the Cup in 2016 and fall short with Toronto. Williams now has the chance to attempt a return to the Finals, this time dawning the Black & Gold kit he’s worn the majority of his career.

Stay tuned to mlsmultiplex.com for all your post season news.