Ambitious as it was, Crew SC coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter expected a heightened level of internal competition on a roster that returned every starter from an MLS Cup final.
Had his expectations been met, the Crew likely wouldn’t be in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Injuries and underperformance among starters and challengers alike have contributed to a 3-5-7 start. Circumstance, not competition, has had the greatest impact on the lineup sheet.
There is one exception. Corey Ashe, signed as a free agent, has made the fight for playing time at the left back position a fierce one, with Ashe and incumbent starter Waylon Francis settling into a platoon situation in recent weeks.