When Columbus Crew SC’s starting lineup was released about an hour before Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, many fans likely did a double take.
After playing the same starting 11 for the first three games of the season, the Black & Gold were forced to make two changes to the lineup that defeated D.C. United 3-1 the week prior due to Wil Trapp and Zack Steffen’s call-ups to the U.S. Men’s National Team. With those two back and healthy for Columbus, it was assumed the starters would go back to the same group that got Crew SC off to a 2-0-1 start.