Football Season Review

Columbus Crew followed up on their brilliant MLS Cup run with one of their worst seasons in recent years as they finished ninth in the Eastern Conference. With coach Gregg Berhalter having managed to hold on to all of the players who had played a key role in their run to the MLS Cup final in the previous season, Columbus went into the season with heightened expectations but things began to unravel right from the start and they had to wait until mid-April to register their first win of the season. Back to back victories over New York City FC and Houston Dynamo showed signs of a turnaround but a dramatic collapse against Montreal Impact sounded the death knell to their season. Columbus had raced to a 3-1 lead early in the second half but a fight between star players Kei Kamara and Federico Higuain on who should take a penalty triggered the collapse, allowing Montreal to secure a draw. The game was followed up by Kamara airing his displeasure against Higuain in public and the club reacted by trading the striker to New England Revolution. To make matters worse for Berhalter, Higuain suffered a serious injury that kept the playmaker out for large portions of the season while Wil Trapp also struggled with concussion, leaving Columbus without three of their key players. With Justin Meram and Ethan Finlay struggling to replicate their form from the previous season, it proved to be a frustrating campaign for both Berhalter and the fans, ultimately ending in disappointment as they finished with the least number of wins in last 10 years. There were positives for Berhalter to build on though with Ola Kamara softening Kei Kamara's departure with a number of good displays and the striker ended the season with 16 goals in 20 starts and was largely responsible in ensuring that Columbus did not finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Harrison Afful enjoyed another solid season and has established himself as Columbus' first choice at right back while mid-season signing Nicolai Naess showed his versatility by covering for Trapp with some good performances. Berhalter will do well to hold on to the majority of his squad, especially with the expansion draft as MLS welcomes two new clubs in Atlanta United and Minnesota United. Reinforcements are needed regardless, especially in the midfield with reliable backups to Higuain and Trapp key to Columbus' fortunes next season.

Player of the Season: Ola Kamara