It’s a new era for Columbus Crew, who enter the new season with a new president, new head coach and new ownership in Haslam/Edwards group. This is the 3rd owner in the club history, and maybe the right one to rise Columbus to their former glory. Third time’s a charm they say. With all the changes, Columbus Crew are aiming high this season as they believe the will be the most successful organization in the MLS. Of course, there is a lot of work that needs to be done before they can achieve it, but one thing is for sure, they are moving in the right direction.
Head Coach: Caleb Porter
Former Indiana Hoosiers assistant, Akron Zips head coach, United States U23 head coach and Portland Timbers head coach was chosen to become the coach of new and improved Columbus Crew in 2019. In his coaching career, he has achieved exceptional results with Akron Zips, with whom he was the National Champion in 2010, in addition to being the Conference regular season and tournament champion 6 times. He also won the 2013 MLS Coach of the Year award after leading Portland to a 14-5-15 season in addition to finishing 1st in the Western Conference when he was only 2 points shy of reaching the MLS Supporters Shield. A year later, Porter coached the MLS All-Star team who won 2:1 against Bayern Munich. In 2015 Portland Timbers under the guidance of Caleb Porter won the MLS Cup. Those are only a few of his most notable achievements as a coach. And while I won’t go on and list every title and/or cups he got as a coach, one thing is for sure, he is a great coach and a great addition for the team.
Transfers
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| Date | Name | Moving from | Moving to | Mode of Transfer |
| December 21, 2018 | Milton Valenzuela | Newell’s Old Boys | Columbus Crew | Transfer |
| January 18, 2019 | Robinho | Ceará | Columbus Crew | Transfer |
| December 27, 2018 | Joe Bendik | Orlando City | Columbus Crew | Trade |
| February 5, 2019 | Waylon Francis | Seattle Sounders | Columbus Crew | Trade |
| January 11, 2019 | JJ Williams | Kentucky Wildcats | Columbus Crew | SuperDraft |
| January 22, 2019 | Aboubacar Keita | Virginia Cavaliers | Columbus Crew | Homegrown player |
| December 12, 2018 | Cristian Martínez | Columbus Crew | Chicago Fire | Waiver Draft |
| July 9, 2019 | Zack Steffen | Columbus Crew | Manchester City | Transfer |
| October 4, 2018 | Mohammed Abu | Columbus Crew | Vålerenga | Transfer |
| January 18, 2019 | Logan Ketterer | Columbus Crew | El Paso Locomotive | Free |
| December 10, 2018 | Adam Jahn | Columbus Crew | Phoenix Rising | Free |
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Expectations for the 2019 season
I’ve got the headline for Columbus Crew and it spells “Columbus Crew is saved”. You can use it.
After all the issues they had in the last year, Columbus Crew are finally under new ownership, which gives them new energy and a fresh start to perform well in the upcoming season. Despite the departure of their coach Gregg Berhalter who took over the U.S Men national team, Columbus Crew are in safe hands with Caleb Porter, who has led teams to greatness and will do it again.
