What will the 2016 Columbus Crew SC Season Hold?

The Columbus Crew SC start off their 2016 campaign this Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN against the heartbreakers of the Portland Timbers (really, it was heartbreaking). In a rematch of the 2016 MLS Cup, we will see where this season will take us. So, what do you need to know?

We will see if the newly anointed designated player (DP), Kei Kamara (also last year’s co-lead goal scorer with 22 goals), can help Columbus Crew SC to the MLS Cup yet again. Kamara joined the team in 2015 but was re-signed through 2018 as a designated player. The DP rule basically allows clubs to acquire up to three players whose salaries exceed the maximum budget charge, with the club bearing financial responsibility for the amount of compensation above each player’s budget charge; David Beckham was the first and most famous example of a designated player. Kamara was key to last year’s attack along with Federico Higuain, Ethan Finlay, and University of Akron alum Wil Trapp. it will be exciting to yet again see a healthy and happy Kamara back with the team.

With a core group of those mentioned, along with midfielder Tony Tchani and winger Justin Meram, there will be no offensive issues.

The current roster has remained similar to the 2015-2016 club but there were a few acquisitions during the offseason to note. Another Kamara? It’s doesn’t seem possible but Columbus Crew SC currently have two unrelated Kamaras on the squad. Twenty-six year old Ola Kamara was a February transfer from Austria Wien (was on loan at Norwegian club Molde), and has 74 goals across all competitions during his pro career.

Other notable acquisitions include a couple of MLS veterans, forward Conor Casey and defender Corey Ashe. A new wing option was signed as well, in Danish player Emil Larsen. For more insight into the offseason moves, check out the MLS transaction listings.

So, what happened in preseason? A lot of ties and one loss. What does it all mean? There are a million things you could gather from the preseason, but I always think it’s best to see how the actual season goes. The MLS season is a long one, spanning from March through October, and a lot can change.

The good folks at ESPN FC (they actually know stats and all the stuff) are currently predicting Portland TImbers and Columbus Crew SC at the top of their MLS Power Rankings.

Another announcement that had everyone up in arms was the new away kit announcement (pictured above). What do you think?

What are your predictions for the season? I’d like to see them back in the MLS Cup come December, I know that much. I’d like to preface this journey through the 2016 Columbus Crew SC season with the following: This is purely from a Cleveland-based Columbus Crew SC season-ticket holder standpoint. I do have a journalism background but starting out, a lot of this is purely from my mind along with additional research. If you have questions or thoughts, feel free to share away.