2018 Columbus Crew SC season

The 2018 Columbus Crew SC season was the club's twenty-third season of existence, and their twenty-third consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. Columbus also competed in the U.S. Open Cup, and took part in the Pacific Rim Cup and Carolina Challenge Cup during preseason. The season covered the period from November 30, 2017 to the start of the 2019 Major League Soccer season.

Columbus Crew SC
2018 season
OwnerPrecourt Sports Ventures LLC
Head coachGregg Berhalter
Major League SoccerConference: 5th
Overall: 10th
MLS Cup PlayoffsConference Semifinals
(knocked out by New York Red Bulls)
U.S. Open CupFourth Round
(knocked out by Chicago Fire)
Trillium CupChampions (5–3)
Lamar Hunt Pioneer CupChampions (0–0)[nb 1]
Pacific Rim CupThird Place
Carolina Challenge CupChampions
Top goalscorerLeague: Gyasi Zardes (19)
All: Gyasi Zardes (20)
Highest home attendance19,121
(September 22 vs. Colorado)
Lowest home attendance4,992
(June 6 vs. Chicago, USOC)
Average home league attendance12,447

Columbus finished in third place in the inaugural Pacific Rim Cup during preseason. Facing a pair of Japanese opponents, Crew SC were defeated by Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the semifinals, but bounced back with a victory over Iwaki FC in the consolation game. Columbus then took part in the Carolina Challenge Cup, winning that title for the second consecutive season. Crew SC won all three matches in the tournament, claiming the CCC championship for the third time in club history.

Columbus additionally won each of their midseason rivalry matches, defeating Toronto FC across two games for the Trillium Cup and dispatching FC Dallas on tiebreakers to defend the Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup. Against Toronto, Columbus was trailing in the aggregate series by a 3–2 line inside of the final 30 minutes of the season series; the Crew put in three late goals to tie the match and win the cup. The match against Dallas ended in a scoreless draw, with Columbus retaining the cup based on the head to head goals tiebreaker. Crew SC won the Pioneer Cup for the seventh time that it had been contested.

Columbus qualified for the playoffs for the second consecutive season, again finishing in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Just as in 2017, Crew SC was victorious in a penalty shootout on the road in the knockout round, this time advancing past D.C. United with goalkeeper Zack Steffen making two saves. However, Columbus was eliminated in the conference semifinals by New York Red Bulls after suffering a 3–0 defeat in the second leg. In the U.S. Open Cup, Crew SC were eliminated in the fourth round by Chicago Fire, with the tie coming down to a penalty shootout. Crew SC goalkeeper Logan Ketterer had his shot saved in the eleventh round of kicks.

Background

The original logo of the Save the Crew movement

Overshadowing the season for Columbus was a threat by owner Anthony Precourt to move the team to Austin, Texas; Precourt had announced the proposed move in October 2017, five days before the team's final regular season game.[1] The #SavetheCrew movement had been created in the aftermath of this proposed move.

Two days after the 2018 regular season began, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the City of Columbus filed a lawsuit against Precourt, citing a 1996 state law that prevents sports teams that benefited from public facilities or financial assistance from relocating to another city without a six-month notice and attempting to sell the team to a local ownership group.[2] The lawsuit worked its way through the courts throughout the 2018 season.

On October 12, 2018, with two games remaining in the regular season, the owner of the Cleveland Browns (Jimmy Haslam) released a statement stating he, along with other local groups, was in the process of buying the Crew.[3] MLS later released a statement stating their willingness to keep the Crew in Columbus, and that Precourt would get the rights to start a team in Austin if the deal went through.[4]

Roster

As of match played November 11, 2018[5]
No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Signed in Previous club Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
12Ben LundgaardGK (1995-09-02)September 2, 1995 (aged 23)2018 Virginia Tech Hokies00
23Zack SteffenGK (1995-04-02)April 2, 1995 (aged 23)2016 SC Freiburg710
24Jon KempinGK (1993-04-08)April 8, 1993 (aged 25)2018 LA Galaxy50
30Logan KettererGK (1993-11-09)November 9, 1993 (aged 25)2017 Bradley Braves10
Defenders
3Josh WilliamsCB (1988-04-18)April 18, 1988 (aged 30)2017 Toronto FC1267
4Jonathan MensahCB (1990-07-13)July 13, 1990 (aged 28)2017 Anzhi Makhachkala613
17Lalas AbubakarCB (1994-12-25)December 25, 1994 (aged 23)2017 Dayton Flyers352
19Milton ValenzuelaLB, RB (1998-08-13)August 13, 1998 (aged 20)2018 Newell's Old Boys (loan)341
21Alex CrognaleCB (1994-08-27)August 27, 1994 (aged 24)2017 Maryland Terrapins241
22Gastón SauroCB (1990-02-23)February 23, 1990 (aged 28)2015 Basel310
25Harrison AffulRB, DM (1986-07-24)July 24, 1986 (aged 32)2015 ES Tunis1086
31Connor MaloneyRB (1995-05-18)May 18, 1995 (aged 23)2017 Penn State Nittany Lions40
Midfielders
2Ricardo ClarkDM (1983-02-10)February 10, 1983 (aged 35)2018 Houston Dynamo131
6Wil TrappDM (1993-01-15)January 15, 1993 (aged 25)2013 Akron Zips1772
7Pedro SantosRM, LM (1988-04-22)April 22, 1988 (aged 30)2017 Braga471
8ArturDM (1996-03-11)March 11, 1996 (aged 22)2018 São Paulo631
9Justin MeramLM, RM (1988-12-04)December 4, 1988 (aged 29)2018 Orlando City22543
10Federico HiguaínAM (1984-10-25)October 25, 1984 (aged 34)2012 Colón19658
13Mike GrellaLM, RM (1987-01-23)January 23, 1987 (aged 31)2018 New York Red Bulls121
16Hector JiménezAM, LM, LB, RB (1988-11-03)November 3, 1988 (aged 30)2014 LA Galaxy1161
18Cristian MartínezLM, RM (1997-02-06)February 6, 1997 (aged 21)2017 Chorrillo313
20Eduardo SosaAM (1996-06-20)June 20, 1996 (aged 22)2018 Zamora111
26Luis ArgudoLM, RM, AM, DM (1995-12-13)December 13, 1995 (aged 22)2018 Wake Forest Demon Deacons210
28Niko HansenLM, RM (1994-09-14)September 14, 1994 (aged 24)2017 New Mexico Lobos404
Forwards
11Gyasi ZardesST (1991-09-02)September 2, 1991 (aged 27)2018 LA Galaxy3620
14Adam JahnST (1991-01-05)January 5, 1991 (aged 27)2016 San Jose Earthquakes467
27Edward OpokuFW, RM, LM (1996-08-01)August 1, 1996 (aged 22)2018 Virginia Cavaliers60
32Patrick MullinsST (1992-02-05)February 5, 1992 (aged 26)2018 D.C. United131

Non-competitive

Preseason

On October 5, 2017, Crew SC were announced as a participant in the 2018 Carolina Challenge Cup, the fifth time that the club was to participate in the tournament. Columbus entered the event as defending champions.[6] On November 13, 2017, the club announced that they would also take part in the inaugural Pacific Rim Cup during preseason. Crew SC were joined by Vancouver Whitecaps FC from MLS, as well as Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Iwaki FC from Japan.[7] Columbus was drawn against Consadole Sapporo, with the winner advancing to the championship match and the loser going to the third place match.

January 31 Friendly Columbus Crew SC 2–1 Colorado Rapids Casa Grande, AZ
Zardes  2'
Argudo  58'
Report Ford  20',  35'
Serna  82'
Stadium: Grande Sports Academy
February 4 Friendly Columbus Crew SC 2–1 Seattle Sounders FC Tucson, AZ
Biros  5'
Jahn  78'
Report Rodríguez  28'
Saari  81'
Stadium: Mulcahy Soccer Stadium
February 9 Pacific Rim Cup Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 3–2 Columbus Crew SC Halawa, HI
1:00 AM EST Reis  25'
Hayasaka  45'
Miyoshi  48'
Report Zardes  13', 39' (pen.) Stadium: Aloha Stadium
Referee: Robert Sibiga
February 10 Pacific Rim Cup Iwaki FC 3–5 Columbus Crew SC Halawa, HI
9:00 PM EST Hisanaga  34'
Hiraoka  66'
Yoshida  77'
Report Zardes  33'
Higuaín  48' (pen.)
Abubakar  52'
Crognale  71'
Opoku  73'
Argudo  90'
Stadium: Aloha Stadium
Referee: Allen Chapman
February 17 Carolina Challenge Cup Atlanta United 1–3 Columbus Crew SC Charleston, SC
5:00 PM EST González Pírez  54'
J. Martínez  90'
Report Pedro Santos  13'
Abubakar  31'
Martínez  33'
J. Martínez  71' (o.g.)
Stadium: MUSC Health Stadium
February 21 Carolina Challenge Cup Charleston Battery 1–2 Columbus Crew SC Charleston, SC
5:00 PM EST Svantesson  32' Report Zardes  56', 82' Stadium: MUSC Health Stadium
Referee: José Carlos Rivero
February 24 Carolina Challenge Cup Columbus Crew SC 2–0 Minnesota United Charleston, SC
5:00 PM EST Higuaín  32'
Zardes  37'
Jonathan  59'
Report Boxall  65' Stadium: MUSC Health Stadium

Midseason

July 3 Friendly Columbus Crew SC 2–0 Saprissa Columbus, OH
7:00 PM EDT Zardes  28'
Williams  34'
Report Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 7,023
Referee: Brandon Artis
Note: Match was played with 30-minute halves.[8]

Competitive

MLS

Eastern Conference
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
3 New York City FC 34 16 10 8 59 45 +14 56 Knockout round
4 D.C. United 34 14 11 9 60 50 +10 51
5 Columbus Crew 34 14 11 9 43 45 2 51
6 Philadelphia Union 34 15 14 5 49 50 1 50
7 Montreal Impact 34 14 16 4 47 53 6 46
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goal differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
Overall table
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification[lower-alpha 1]
8 Portland Timbers 34 15 10 9 54 48 +6 54
9 D.C. United 34 14 11 9 60 50 +10 51
10 Columbus Crew 34 14 11 9 43 45 2 51
11 Philadelphia Union 34 15 14 5 49 50 1 50
12 Real Salt Lake 34 14 13 7 55 58 3 49
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
Aggregate table

As Toronto FC won MLS Cup 2017, one of the U.S. berths for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League had to be reallocated, to the U.S. non-champions with the best aggregate record over the 2017 and 2018 MLS regular seasons. As the top ranked team in the table, Atlanta United FC, also qualified for the Champions League by winning MLS Cup 2018, the Champions League spot via the aggregate table was instead awarded to the second-placed team, the New York Red Bulls.[10][11]

Note: Only U.S. teams are listed in this table.

Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
5 Sporting Kansas City 68 30 17 21 105 69 +36 111 2019 CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 1]
6 Portland Timbers 68 30 21 17 114 98 +16 107
7 Columbus Crew 68 30 23 15 96 94 +2 105
8 FC Dallas 68 27 19 22 100 92 +8 103
9 Real Salt Lake 68 27 28 13 104 113 9 94
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. As 2017 U.S. Open Cup champions (USA2)

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldPtsWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGD
34 51 14 11 9 43 45  −2 11 2 4 32 21  +11 3 9 5 11 24  −13

Source: MLS standings
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
GroundAHAHHAAHHAHHAAHHHAHAAHAHAAHAAHHAAH
ResultWWDWLLLDWDWWWDDDLLWLLWWWLDWDLWDLLW
Source: Columbus schedule
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Match results

On December 19, 2017, the league announced the home openers for every club.[12] Just like in 2016, Columbus opened the season on the road against the defending MLS Cup champions, playing at Toronto FC in the first match of the MLS season. Columbus then opened the season at home on March 10, facing Montreal Impact.

The schedule for the remainder of the 2018 season was released on January 4, 2018.[13] Crew SC played three times against Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union, twice against every other Eastern Conference club, and once against every Western Conference club.

March 3 1 Toronto FC 0–2 Columbus Crew SC Toronto, ON
1:00 PM EST Report Martínez  24'
Higuaín  44'
Zardes  46'
Stadium: BMO Field
Attendance: 26,633
Referee: Ismail Elfath
March 10 2 Columbus Crew SC 3–2 Montreal Impact Columbus, OH
1:00 PM EST Higuaín  12' (pen.)
Zardes  15', 90+4' (pen.)
Steffen  51'
Report Krolicki  32'
Piatti  59'
Edwards  85'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 11,098
Referee: Chris Penso
March 17 3 Philadelphia Union 0–0 Columbus Crew SC Chester, PA
2:00 PM EDT Bedoya  76'
Rosenberry  89'
Report Artur  53'
Higuaín  78'
Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
Attendance: 15,323
Referee: Nima Saghafi
March 24 4 Columbus Crew SC 3–1 D.C. United Columbus, OH
6:00 PM EDT Abubakar  3'
Valenzuela  20',  52'
Clark  40'
Pedro Santos  42'
Report Asad  30' Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 8,443
Referee: Drew Fischer
March 31 5 Columbus Crew SC 1–2 Vancouver Whitecaps FC Columbus, OH
3:00 PM EDT Zardes  29'
Valenzuela  76'
Report de Jong  10'
Shea  51'
Kamara  78'
Felipe  82'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 8,992
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
April 7 6 Chicago Fire 1–0 Columbus Crew SC Bridgeview, IL
8:30 PM EDT Kappelhof  6'
Nikolić  27',  90+4'
Sánchez  90'
Report Artur  47' Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 11,023
Referee: Jair Marrufo
April 14 7 D.C. United 1–0 Columbus Crew SC Annapolis, MD
7:00 PM EDT Segura  1'
Arriola  51'
Clark  84'
Report Higuaín  23'
Jonathan  84'
Stadium: Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 12,396
Referee: Ismail Elfath
April 21 8 Columbus Crew SC 2–2 New England Revolution Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Farrell  9' (o.g.)
Zardes  43'
Higuaín  66'
Report Dielna  11'
Bunbury  14'
Zahibo  36'
Penilla  45+1'
Fagúndez  60'
Somi  67'
Turner  88'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 11,264
Referee: Chris Penso
April 28 9 Columbus Crew SC 2–1 San Jose Earthquakes Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Harrison  28'
Hansen  36'
Valenzuela  67'
Grella  84'
Report Godoy  3'
Hoesen  45',  72'
Jungwirth  66'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 11,479
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
May 5 10 Seattle Sounders FC 0–0 Columbus Crew SC Seattle, WA
4:00 PM EDT Alonso  30' Report Pedro Santos  15'
Trapp  54'
Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Attendance: 39,515
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
May 9 11 Columbus Crew SC 1–0 Philadelphia Union Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Jonathan  27'
Zardes  53'
Report Elliott  77' Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 7,683
Referee: Ramy Touchan
May 12 12 Columbus Crew SC 3–0 Chicago Fire Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Higuaín  28' (pen.)
Zardes  50', 70',  57'
Report Ellis  27' Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 11,108
Referee: Allen Chapman
May 19 13 New England Revolution 0–1 Columbus Crew SC Foxborough, MA
7:30 PM EDT Caicedo  13'
Delamea  31'
Dielna  67'
Anibaba  89'
Report Valenzuela  44'
Abubakar  85'
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 14,087
Referee: Sorin Stoica
May 27 14 Sporting Kansas City 0–0 Columbus Crew SC Kansas City, KS
6:00 PM EDT Besler  90+4' Report Higuaín  45+6'
Harrison  49'
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Attendance: 20,697
Referee: Robert Sibiga
June 2 15 Columbus Crew SC 3–3 Toronto FC Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Artur  2'
Williams  56'
Zardes  67'
Crognale  81'
Higuaín  90' (pen.)
Report Osorio  8'
Vázquez  17' (pen.)
Hernandez  21'
Ricketts  38',  90+3'
Giovinco  57'
Bono  86'
Fraser  90+2'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 12,305
Referee: Nima Saghafi
June 9 16 Columbus Crew SC 1–1 New York Red Bulls Columbus, OH
5:00 PM EDT Zardes  26' Report Muyl  57' Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 11,246
Referee: Alan Kelly
June 13 17 Columbus Crew SC 0–2 Atlanta United Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Trapp  81' Report Parkhurst  8'
Ambrose  27'
Martínez  30'
Escobar  72'
Villalba  82'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 10,132
Referee: Ted Unkel
June 23 18 Los Angeles FC 2–0 Columbus Crew SC Los Angeles, CA
10:30 PM EDT Ciman  4'
Diomande  8'
Atuesta  24'
Report Abubakar  34'
Pedro Santos  61'
Higuaín  69'
Valenzuela  70'
Stadium: Banc of California Stadium
Attendance: 22,000
Referee: Kevin Stott
June 30 19 Columbus Crew SC 2–1 Real Salt Lake Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Zardes  6' (pen.)
Sosa  23',  66'
Report Sunny  45+2'
Beckerman  56'
Rusnák  74'
Savarino  90+1'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 16,680
Referee: Drew Fischer
July 7 20 LA Galaxy 4–0 Columbus Crew SC Carson, CA
10:30 PM EDT Skjelvik  22'
Kamara  42'
Ibrahimović  56' (pen.)
Pontius  63'
Alessandrini  67', 90+3'
Report Williams  61' Stadium: StubHub Center
Attendance: 21,211
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
July 14 21 New York City FC 2–0 Columbus Crew SC New York City, NY
7:00 PM EDT Medina  80'
Tinnerholm  90'
Report Jonathan  20'
Zardes  36'
Grella  82'
Sosa  90+3'
Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Attendance: 21,085
Referee: Armando Villarreal
July 21 22 Columbus Crew SC 3–2 Orlando City Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Jonathan  26'
Zardes  51', 88' (pen.)
Pedro Santos  84'
Trapp  90+2'
Williams  90+5'
Report Kljestan  16',  43'
Schuler  26'
Pinho  58'
El-Munir  87'
Yotún  90+3'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 14,052
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
July 28 23 New York Red Bulls 2–3 Columbus Crew SC Harrison, NJ
7:00 PM EDT Collin  21'
Jonathan  50' (o.g.)
Royer  69'
Report Jonathan  7'
Mullins  24'
Davis  31' (o.g.)
Valenzuela  56'
Steffen  77'
Artur  90'
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 16,459
Referee: Sorin Stoica
August 11 24 Columbus Crew SC 1–0 Houston Dynamo Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Zardes  56',  90+1'
Pedro Santos  90+7'
Report Leonardo  80'
Lundqvist  86'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 15,891
Referee: Mark Geiger
August 19 25 Atlanta United 3–1 Columbus Crew SC Atlanta, GA
4:00 PM EDT Martínez  31'
McCann  45+1'
Villalba  76',  86'
Almirón  82',  83'
Guzan  88'
Report Zardes  50'
Artur  90+4'
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Attendance: 45,303
Referee: Jair Marrufo
August 23 26 Chicago Fire 1–1 Columbus Crew SC Bridgeview, IL
7:00 PM EDT de Leeuw  55'
Nikolić  67'
Katai  69'
Schweinsteiger  90+1'
Report Higuaín  65'
Hansen  87'
Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 8,551
Referee: Armando Villarreal
September 1 27 Columbus Crew SC 2–1 New York City FC Columbus, OH
8:00 PM EDT Harrison  61'
Meram  63'
Report Wallace  45'
Tajouri-Shradi  53'
Sweat  67'
Ibeagha  75'
Ring  90+3'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 11,991
Referee: Alan Kelly
September 15 28 FC Dallas 0–0 Columbus Crew SC Frisco, TX
8:00 PM EDT Report Clark  53'
Abubakar  67'
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 16,030
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
September 19 29 Portland Timbers 3–2 Columbus Crew SC Portland, OR
10:30 PM EDT Polo  10',  37'
Guzmán  18',  34'
Abubakar  48' (o.g.)
Report Hansen  7', 90+3'
Sauro  45+1'
Trapp  49'
Maloney  85'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 21,144
Referee: Ted Unkel
September 22 30 Columbus Crew SC 2–1 Colorado Rapids Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Zardes  17'
Jonathan  44'
Higuaín  57'
Report Gashi  26'
Wynne  51'
Acosta  81'
Smith  90+1'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 19,121
Referee: Allen Chapman
September 29 31 Columbus Crew SC 0–0 Philadelphia Union Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT Report Fabinho  85'
Bedoya  88'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 12,441
Referee: Drew Fischer
October 6 32 Montreal Impact 3–0 Columbus Crew SC Montreal, QC
3:00 PM EDT Taïder  32' (pen.)
Silva  44'
Piatti  59'
Azira  62'
Report Pedro Santos  45+2'
Jonathan  90'
Stadium: Stade Saputo
Attendance: 19,015
Referee: Alan Kelly
October 21 33 Orlando City 2–1 Columbus Crew SC Orlando, FL
3:00 PM EDT Dwyer  37'
Yotún  57' (pen.)
Kljestan  90+6' (pen.)
Report Jonathan  33'
Higuaín  54'
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 23,642
Referee: Kevin Stott
October 28 34 Columbus Crew SC 3–2 Minnesota United Columbus, OH
4:30 PM EDT Zardes  11', 49', 83' Report Calvo  68', 77' Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 17,677
Referee: Robert Sibiga

Postseason

November 1 Knockout Round D.C. United 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(2–3 p)
Columbus Crew SC Washington, D.C.
8:00 PM EDT Brillant  21'
DeLeon  116'
Report Higuaín  30', 96',  45'
Sosa  105+1'
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 20,600
Referee: Allen Chapman
Penalties
Rooney
Asad
Stieber
Acosta
DeLeon
Higuaín
Trapp
Zardes
Hansen
Mullins
November 4 Semifinals Leg 1 Columbus Crew SC 1–0 New York Red Bulls Columbus, OH
3:00 PM EST Valenzuela  31'
Zardes  61'
Report Davis  88' Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 12,892
Referee: Nima Saghafi
November 11 Semifinals Leg 2 New York Red Bulls 3–0
(3–1 agg.)
Columbus Crew SC Harrison, NJ
7:30 PM EST Muyl  17'
Royer  73', 76'
Report Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 22,789
Referee: Alan Kelly

U.S. Open Cup

June 6 Fourth Round Columbus Crew SC 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(9–10 p)
Chicago Fire Columbus, OH
7:00 PM EDT Martínez  10'
Sosa  64'
Abu  71'
Crognale  107'
Jahn  114'
Report Nikolić  45', 109'
Ramos  81'
McCarty  90+3'
Katai  112'
Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Attendance: 4,992
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
Penalties
Valenzuela
Jiménez
Argudo
Abubakar
Jahn
Martínez
Crognale
Sosa
Abu
Opoku
Ketterer
Nikolić
Katai
McCarty
Campos
Schweinsteiger
Bronico
Lillard
Corrales
Ramos
Campbell
Sánchez

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Federico Higuaín entered the season sitting fifth in club history for most goals, needing three to pass Edson Buddle for fourth all-time.[14] He tallied a penalty kick against Chicago on May 12, cracking the tie with Buddle.[15] Higuaín had also begun the year having appeared 163 times for Crew SC, needing seven appearances to crack the top ten in club history. He started each of the first ten games, leaping Frankie Hejduk for ninth place.[14] By the end of the season, Higuaín moved up the charts in all three categories: eighth all-time in appearances, with 196; third all-time in goals, with 58; and second all-time in assists, with 64.

Upon his return to the club midway through the season, Justin Meram had the chance to add to his previous totals with the club; he sat fifth in appearances, sixth in goals, and tied for seventh in assists. He needed to play 28 times, score ten goals, or tally six assists in order to move up the charts.[14] At the end of the year, Meram still sat fifth in appearances (with 225) and sixth in goals (with 43), but had taken sole possession of seventh in assists (with 36).

Wil Trapp began the season having appeared 144 times in all competitions for Crew SC, needing to play in 27 games to crack the all-time top ten. Although he missed several games while on international duty, Trapp appeared for the 27th time on the season in a draw with Philadelphia on September 29.[16] He initially jumped into the table in a tie for tenth place with Hejduk.[14] By the end of the season, Trapp had appeared in 177 games for the club, enough for sole possession of tenth.

No. Pos. Name MLS MLS Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2 MF Ricardo Clark 1310000131
3 DF Josh Williams 2101000220
4 DF Jonathan Mensah 2713000301
6 MF Wil Trapp 3013000331
7 MF Pedro Santos 3013000331
8 MF Artur 3203000350
9 MF Justin Meram 913000121
10 MF Federico Higuaín 3063200338
11 FW Gyasi Zardes 331931003620
12 GK Ben Lundgaard 00000000
13 MF Mike Grella 1210000121
14 FW Adam Jahn 80001191
16 MF Hector Jiménez 1101010130
17 DF Lalas Abubakar 2311010251
18 MF Cristian Martínez 1401011161
19 DF Milton Valenzuela 3013010341
20 MF Eduardo Sosa 1010010111
21 DF Alex Crognale 51001061
22 DF Gastón Sauro 702010100
23 GK Zack Steffen 2903000320
24 GK Jon Kempin 50000050
25 DF Harrison Afful 3223000352
26 MF Luis Argudo 1802010210
27 FW Edward Opoku 50001060
28 MF Niko Hansen 2231010243
30 GK Logan Ketterer 00001010
31 DF Connor Maloney 10001020
32 FW Patrick Mullins 1013000131
Players who left the club during the season:
5 MF Mohammed Abu 40001050

Source: Columbus stats

Disciplinary record

No. Pos. Name MLS MLS Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total
2 MF Ricardo Clark 10000010
3 DF Josh Williams 30000030
4 DF Jonathan Mensah 70000070
6 MF Wil Trapp 30000030
7 MF Pedro Santos 41000041
8 MF Artur 50000050
10 MF Federico Higuaín 51100061
11 FW Gyasi Zardes 30000030
13 MF Mike Grella 10000010
17 DF Lalas Abubakar 30000030
18 MF Cristian Martínez 10000010
19 DF Milton Valenzuela 60100070
20 MF Eduardo Sosa 11101031
21 DF Alex Crognale 00001010
22 DF Gastón Sauro 10000010
23 GK Zack Steffen 20000020
25 DF Harrison Afful 10000010
28 MF Niko Hansen 10000010
31 DF Connor Maloney 10000010
Players who left the club during the season:
5 MF Mohammed Abu 00001010

Source: Columbus stats

Clean sheets

Zack Steffen entered the season with the seventh-most clean sheets in club history. He needed to keep two on the season in order to pass Brad Friedel for sixth all-time,[14] which he did just three games into the campaign. Three saves in a scoreless draw with Philadelphia on March 17 moved Steffen up on the all-time chart.[17] He promptly passed Mark Dougherty for fifth place, thanks to a 1–0 victory over the Union on May 9. Steffen finished the season with 22 career shutouts for Crew SC, good for fifth place in club history.

No. Name MLS MLS Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Total Games Played
12 Ben Lundgaard 00000
23 Zack Steffen 10101132
24 Jon Kempin 00005
30 Logan Ketterer 00001

Source: Columbus stats

Transfers

In

Pos. Player Transferred from Fee/Notes Date Source
MF Artur São Paulo Completed permanent transfer. Dec 6, 2017 [18]
GK Jon Kempin LA Galaxy LA receives a Fourth Round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. Dec 13, 2017 [19]
MF Mike Grella Colorado Rapids Colorado receives a Second Round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. Dec 15, 2017 [20]
MF Eduardo Sosa Zamora Acquired as a Discovery Signing. Jan 9, 2018 [21]
FW Edward Opoku Virginia Cavaliers Selected in the Second Round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. Signed as a Generation Adidas player. Jan 19, 2018 [22]
FW Gyasi Zardes LA Galaxy LA receives FW Ola Kamara. Jan 20, 2018 [23]
MF Ricardo Clark Houston Dynamo Signed as a free agent. Feb 2, 2018 [24]
MF Luis Argudo Wake Forest Demon Deacons Selected in the Third Round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. Mar 1, 2018 [25][26]
GK Ben Lundgaard Virginia Tech Hokies Selected in the First Round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. Mar 1, 2018 [27][26]
FW Patrick Mullins D.C. United D.C. receives $150,000 in targeted allocation money. Jul 11, 2018 [28]
MF Justin Meram Orlando City Orlando receives $750,000 in targeted allocation money, a 2019 international roster slot. Aug 3, 2018 [29]

SuperDraft

The following players were selected by Columbus in the MLS SuperDraft, but did not sign a contract with the club.

Pos. Player College Notes Date Source
MF Jake Rozhansky Maryland Terrapins Selected in the Second Round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. Signed with Maccabi Netanya on Jan 11, 2018. Jan 19, 2018 [30][31]

Loan in

Pos. Player Parent club Length/Notes Beginning End Source
DF Milton Valenzuela Newell's Old Boys Duration of the 2018 MLS season, with an option to purchase at the end of the season. Signed as a Young Designated Player. Jan 26, 2018 Nov 26, 2018 [32][33]

Out

Pos. Player Transferred to Fee/Notes Date Source
MF Marshall Hollingsworth Option declined. Retired. Dec 1, 2017 [34][35]
FW Kekuta Manneh Pachuca Contract expired. Signed for Pachuca on Dec 26, 2017. Dec 1, 2017 [34][36]
MF Abuchi Obinwa Inter Orlando Option declined. Signed for Inter for the 2018 Spring UPSL season. Dec 1, 2017 [34][37]
MF Rodrigo Saravia Swope Park Rangers Option declined. Signed for Swope Park on Jan 8, 2018. Dec 1, 2017 [34][38]
MF Ben Swanson Option declined. Dec 1, 2017 [34]
DF Jukka Raitala Los Angeles FC Selected by LAFC in the 2017 MLS Expansion Draft. Dec 12, 2017 [39]
GK Brad Stuver New York City FC Option declined. Traded to NYCFC in exchange for a Fourth Round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. Dec 14, 2017 [34][40]
DF Waylon Francis Seattle Sounders FC Option declined. Traded to Seattle in exchange for $50,000 in general allocation money. Dec 14, 2017 [34][41]
FW Ola Kamara LA Galaxy Columbus receives FW Gyasi Zardes, $400,000 in targeted allocation money, future considerations. Jan 20, 2018 [23]
MF Justin Meram Orlando City Columbus receives $1,050,000 in allocation money, a 2019 international roster slot. Jan 29, 2018 [42]
MF Mohammed Abu Vålerenga Columbus receives an undisclosed transfer fee. Oct 4, 2018 [43]

Loan out

Pos. Player Loanee club Length/Notes Beginning End Source
GK Ben Lundgaard Indy Eleven Duration of the 2018 USL season. Mar 7, 2018 Oct 21, 2018 [44][45]
DF Alex Crognale Orange County SC On a match-by-match basis. Mar 15, 2018 May 5, 2018 [46][47]
May 22, 2018 Jun 2, 2018 [48][49]
Jun 18, 2018 Nov 4, 2018 [50][51]
FW Edward Opoku Saint Louis FC On a match-by-match basis. Apr 27, 2018 May 18, 2018 [52][53]
DF Connor Maloney Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC On a match-by-match basis. May 25, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 [54][55]
FW Adam Jahn OKC Energy On a match-by-match basis. Jul 24, 2018 Oct 14, 2018 [56][57]
MF Mohammed Abu Vålerenga Duration of the 2018 Eliteserien. Aug 10, 2018 Oct 4, 2018 [58][43]

Awards

MLS Team of the Week

Week Starters Bench Opponent(s) Link
1 Lalas Abubakar
Federico Higuaín
Milton Valenzuela
Toronto FC
2 Gyasi Zardes Montreal Impact
4 Gregg Berhalter (coach)
Federico Higuaín
Cristian Martínez
Milton Valenzuela
Pedro Santos D.C. United
9 Mike Grella San Jose Earthquakes
10 Lalas Abubakar Milton Valenzuela Seattle Sounders FC
11 Gregg Berhalter (coach)
Gyasi Zardes
Zack Steffen Philadelphia Union
Chicago Fire
12 Jonathan Mensah New England Revolution
13 Artur
Josh Williams
Sporting Kansas City
14 Federico Higuaín Toronto FC
15 Harrison Afful New York Red Bulls
18 Eduardo Sosa Real Salt Lake
21 Wil Trapp Orlando City
22 Harrison Afful Patrick Mullins New York Red Bulls
24 Gyasi Zardes Federico Higuaín
Milton Valenzuela
Houston Dynamo
27 Harrison Afful Justin Meram New York City FC
29 Jonathan Mensah FC Dallas
30 Federico Higuaín Niko Hansen Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids
35 Gyasi Zardes Minnesota United

Kits

Home
Away
TypeShirtShortsSocksFirst appearance / Record
HomeGoldGoldGoldMatch 1 vs. Toronto / 9–6–7
AwayBlackBlackBlackMatch 2 vs. Montreal / 6–6–3
SpecialtyWhiteWhiteWhiteMatch 8 vs. New England / 0–0–1

See also

References

  1. "Statement from Precourt Sports Ventures". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. October 17, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  2. Schladen, Marty (March 5, 2018). "Ohio, Columbus suing to keep Crew SC from moving to Austin". Dispatch.com. Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  3. "Statement from Dee and Jimmy Haslam on interest in Columbus Crew". ClevelandBrowns.com (Press release). NFL Enterprises, LLC. October 12, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  4. MLSsoccer staff (October 12, 2018). "Cleveland Browns owners emerge as potential buyers of Columbus Crew SC". MLSSoccer.com. MLS Digital. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  5. "Columbus Crew SC roster". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  6. "CHARLESTON BATTERY TO HOST ATLANTA UNITED, COLUMBUS CREW SC, AND MINNESOTA UNITED FC". CharlestonBattery.com. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  7. "Crew SC to participate in inaugural preseason Pacific Rim Cup". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  8. @ColumbusCrewSC (3 July 2018). "Both teams have agreed to play two 30-minutes halves. Warm-ups are estimated to begin shortly. Kickoff is estimated for 9:50 p.m. ET" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  9. Strauss, Brian (April 6, 2017). "MLS clubs have resolution over qualifying for future CCL after format change". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  10. Stejskal, Sam (January 8, 2018). "How CONCACAF Champions League qualifiers are determined in MLS". Major League Soccer. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  11. "Wiebe: How the 2019 Concacaf Champions League is shaping up for MLS". Major League Soccer. October 25, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
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  13. "Crew SC's 2018 schedule unveiled". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  14. "ALL-TIME CAREER LEADERS". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  15. "Columbus Crew SC 3, Chicago Fire 0 - 2018 MLS Match Recap". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
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  17. "RECAP - Crew SC stretches unbeaten run to 13". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  18. "Crew SC acquires Artur from Sao Paulo FC". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  19. "NEWS – Crew SC acquires Jon Kempin via trade with LA Galaxy". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  20. "Crew SC acquires Mike Grella via trade with the Colorado Rapids". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  21. "Crew SC adds Venezuelan midfielder Eduardo Sosa". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  22. "Crew SC selects Generation adidas forward Edward Opoku in the Second Round of 2018 MLS SuperDraft". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  23. "Crew SC acquires MLS Cup champion, U.S. international Gyasi Zardes, TAM in trade with Galaxy". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
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  26. "Crew SC signs 2018 MLS SuperDraft selections Ben Lundgaard & Luis Argudo". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  27. "Crew SC selects GK Ben Lundgaard in First Round of 2018 MLS SuperDraft". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  28. "Crew SC acquires forward Patrick Mullins in trade with D.C. United". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
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  30. "Crew SC selects midfielder Jake Rozhansky in the Second Round of 2018 MLS SuperDraft". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  31. "ROZHANSKY SIGNS WITH MACCABI NETANYA". UMTerps.com. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
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  34. "Options exercised on 9 players ahead of 2018 season". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  35. "Marshall Hollingsworth a LHS soccer player who played pro". DailyHerald.com. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  36. "Kekuta Manneh signs with Mexican club Pachucha". MassiveReport.com. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  37. "Abuchi Obinwa – Inter Orlando profile". InterOrlandoFC.com. Inter Orlando FC. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  38. "Swope Park Rangers signs former Columbus Crew SC midfielder Rodrigo Saravia". SportingKC.com. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  39. "Jukka Raitala selected by LAFC in 2017 MLS Expansion Draft". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  40. "NEWS – Crew SC acquires 2019 SuperDraft pick via trade with New York City FC". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  41. "NEWS – Crew SC acquires Allocation Money via trade with Seattle Sounders". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  42. "Crew SC acquires more than $1M in Allocation Money & international roster slot from Orlando City in trade for Justin Meram". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  43. "Columbus Crew SC transfers midfielder Mohammed Abu to Norwegian First Division side Valerenga Fotball". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  44. "Crew SC loan goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard to Indy Eleven". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  45. "INDY ELEVEN FALL IN USL CUP QUARTERFINAL TO LOUISVILLE CITY FC, 4-1". IndyEleven.com. October 21, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
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  47. "Seattle Sounders FC vs Columbus Crew SC - Lineups". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
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  51. Merk, Carson (November 4, 2018). "RECORD SEASON FOR ORANGE COUNTY ENDS. PHOENIX RISES". OrangeCountySoccer.com. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
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  55. "Columbus Crew SC vs. Real Salt Lake - Lineups". ColumbusCrewSC,com. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
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  59. "Zack Steffen named to the MLS All-Star team". MassiveReport.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  60. Bogert, Tom (November 6, 2018). "Crew SC's Zack Steffen named 2018 MLS Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  61. "Crew SC: Gyasi Zardes voted MLS Comeback Player of the Year". Dispatch.com. Columbus Dispatch. November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  62. Erickson, Andrew (November 11, 2018). "Major League Soccer's biggest stars named to 2018 MLS Best XI". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  63. "2018 Crew SC Team Awards". ColumbusCrewSC.com. Columbus Crew SC. November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.

Notes

  1. Retained via the head-to-head goals tiebreaker (16–13)
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