1996 Columbus Crew season

The 1996 Columbus Crew season was the club's first season of existence and their first season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of soccer in the United States. The first match of the season was on April 13 against D.C. United. It was the first season under head coach Timo Liekoski who resigned on August 2. Tom Fitzgerald took over as interim head coach through the rest of the season. == Roster == As of August 10, 1996 Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. === Out on loan === Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. == Technical Staff == == Non-competitive == === Preseason === === Midseason === == Competitive == === Overview === === MLS === ==== Standings ==== ===== Eastern Conference ===== ===== Overall table ===== ==== Results summary ==== Source: MLS standings Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference ==== Results by round ==== ==== Match results ==== === MLS Cup Playoffs === ==== Conference Semifinals ==== == Statistics == === Appearances and goals === Under "Apps" for each section, the first number represents the number of starts, and the second number represents appearances as a substitute. === Disciplinary record === === Clean sheets === == Transfers == === In === === Loan in === === Out === === Loans out === === MLS Draft picks === Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in. The picks for the Columbus Crew are listed below: == Awards == == References ==