When Columbus Crew SC began its new era under new ownership and a new coaching staff in 2019, the team did so without three of its key players. When preseason camp opened ahead of the new season, the Black & Gold did not have captain Wil Trapp, goalkeeper Zack Steffen or forward Gyasi Zardes in their ranks due to the United States Men’s National Team’s January camp.
While the departure of top American Major League Soccer players is not uncommon this time of year — both Trapp and Steffen were called in for last year’s January camp — 2019 has a very different feel.