Columbus Crew SC are headed to the MLS Cup. Here are five of the club's biggest stories from 2015:
1. REBRAND REJUVENATION
The Columbus Crew evolved into Columbus Crew SC last year, and the rebrand has paid immediate dividends on and off the field. Not only are Crew SC playing a more attractive and effective brand of soccer, but the fanbase has been reinvigorated, too, with the club setting new marks at the box office this year and announcing on Monday afternoon that they've already sold out MAPFRE Stadium for MLS Cup on Sunday.
2. SELFLESS, NOT SELFISH
Kei Kamara is no stranger to finding success in the MLS regular season, but it took him until this year to have the same kind of impact in the playoffs. Kamara accomplished that only after outgrowing a "selfish" mentality, with Crew SC reaping the benefits.
3. RECORD-BREAKING
Crew SC have had a number of memorable moments in this run to the championship game, but the one that might stick out the most is Justin Meram's record-breaking goal against the New York Red Bulls. Meram scored nine seconds into first leg of the Eastern Conference Finals on a memorable, designed play off of the game opening kickoff.
4. SUPER SUB
Teams that usually enjoy the most success in the playoffs are ones that have all types of players that can contribute. Crew SC have proven that they have that quality, especially with the play of substitute sparkplug Cedrick Mabwati.
5. DEFENSIVE BOOST
Attackers Kei Kamara, Federico Higuain and Ethan Finlay may garner most of the headlines, but midseason acquisition center back Gaston Sauro has played just as big a role as his more offensive-minded teammates in getting Crew SC to Cup. Since signing with Columbus, Sauro has stablized the club's defense by being the type of enforcer that it had been missing. It's been a perfect fit for both he and Crew SC, even if the move has been a bit overlooked because of what the club has accomplished on the other end of the field.
