For the first time since 2016, the Columbus Crew failed to make the playoffs, as they finished a lowly 10th in the Eastern Conference this campaign. Their form through the middle part of the season was what condemned them to missing the playoffs — they took 11 points from their last six regular-season matches, but still finished seven points below the red line.
In that run, they beat both Atlanta United and Philadelphia Union, two teams who finished inside the top three of the Eastern Conference, but still they were unable to make the postseason. In the offseason, the Crew have acquired MLS stalwart Darlington Nagbe, who will go straight into their starting XI for the 2020 campaign.