Before consecutive wins over New York City and Houston, Crew SC spent much of the first six weeks of this season looking up at every other team in the Eastern Conference.
Never before in the tenure of coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter had the Crew occupied last place in the East standings, but that’s where it was earlier this month.
The MLS Cup finalist was uncomfortably out of place, but its visit to the basement wasn’t without value.
“I think the experience of going through that and having to stay calm and positive and stay focused on improvement, I think that is valuable,” Berhalter said.