Editor’s note: On Saturday, the Crew will honor Federico Higuaín. The former midfielder, affectionately known as Pipa, is signing a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Black & Gold. To honor the midfielder, Massive Report will spend this week sharing moments of Higuaín’s career with the Crew.
In the first game of 2016, the Columbus Crew had two ways the team could go to start the season. The Crew’s last match of 2015 was the MLS Cup Final. On Columbus’ home field, an early goalkeeping snafu and missed throw-in call by the officials put the Black & Gold down 2-0 in the first seven minutes to the then-Caleb Porter-coached Portland Timbers.