Meet the team

DEFENDERS 17 Lalas Abubakar 23 (second MLS season) 6 feet, 180 pounds

Made seven appearances — six starts — during the 2017 regular season and another three appearances, including one start, in the playoffs. … Selected fifth overall out of Dayton in the 2017 SuperDraft. … Projects as at center back alongside Jonathan Mensah to begin the season.

25 Harrison Afful 31 (fourth MLS season) 5 feet 6, 135 pounds

Despite a few injuries, made 21 regular-season and five playoff starts in 2017. … Has earned 76 caps for Ghana’s national team. … The projected starter at right back, Afful went goalless during the 2017 regular season but scored a crucial goal against New York City FC in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

21 Alex Crognale 23 (second MLS season) 6 feet 5, 205 pounds

The Gahanna native made 12 starts in his rookie season after signing a homegrown contract. … Missed the end of the 2017 season after having sports hernia surgery. … Starts the season as a reserve option at center back.

16 Hector Jimenez 29 (eighth MLS season) 5 feet 9, 145 pounds

Made 19 appearances, 15 starts, at both left and right back in 2017. … Has missed the playoffs just once in seven MLS seasons. … Should see time at both left and right back this season in a utility role.

31 Connor Maloney 22 (second MLS season) 5 feet 6, 145 pounds

Made two appearances — one start — as a rookie in 2017. … The Penn State product was selected in the third round of the 2017 SuperDraft. … Will back up Harrison Afful at right back.

4 Jonathan Mensah 27 (second MLS season) 6 feet 2, 183 pounds

Should be one of two opening-day starters at center back alongside Lalas Abubakar. … Scored two goals in his first MLS season after being signed as a designated player from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. … Expects a smoother 2018 after a few difficult adjustment months to start 2017. … Has earned 56 caps with Ghana’s national team.

22 Gaston Sauro 28 (fourth MLS season) 6 feet 3, 185 pounds

Missed the 2017 season due to injury and has not played since Oct. 1, 2016. … Is still being brought along slowly as he recovers from two knee surgeries in 2017. … If healthy, should get minutes at center back.

19 Milton Valenzuela 19 (first MLS season) 5 feet 6, 145 pounds

Signed on loan from Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina as a young designated player. … Projects as the Crew’s starting left back in 2018. … Valenzuela has made 10 appearances for Argentina’s under-20 national team.

3 Josh Williams 29 (ninth MLS season) 6 feet 2, 185 pounds

Made 22 appearances — 19 starts — to begin his second stint with Crew SC after being selected in stage two of the re-entry draft in December 2016. … Tied his career high with three goals in 2017. … Will compete for a starting center back job but begins the 2018 season recovering from minor Achilles and heel injuries.

MIDFIELDERS 8 Mohammed Abu 26 (second MLS season) 5 feet 7, 150 pounds

Acquired as a special discovery player in late January 2016. … Made 20 appearances — 14 starts — during his first MLS season in 2017 … Will get a few starts in the central midfield as a reserve option behind Wil Trapp and Artur.

26 Luis Argudo 22 (first MLS season) 5 feet 9, 150 pounds

Selected in the third round of the 2018 SuperDraft. … Scored eight goals and added six assists as a senior at Wake Forest in 2017. … Earned a contract after a strong preseason; not likely to see much time this season. 7 Artur 21 (second MLS season) 5 feet 11, 154 pounds

Acquired on a permanent transfer from Sao Paulo FC last December. … Worked through hamstring and wrist injuries in his first full MLS season in 2017 and still made 24 appearances. … Begins 2018 as a starter in the central midfield, paired with captain Wil Trapp.

2 Ricardo Clark 35 (14th MLS season) 5 feet 10, 165 pounds

Signed as a free agent in February … Has made 337 MLS regular-season appearances since debuting with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in 2003, including 253 with the Houston Dynamo. … Should get a few starts in a reserve role behind Wil Trapp and Artur.

13 Mike Grella 31 (fourth MLS season) 5 feet 11, 180 pounds

Joins Crew SC for 2018 after spending the past three seasons with the New York Red Bulls. … Scored 16 goals and added 13 assists over his first two seasons with the Red Bulls in 2015 and ’16. … Begins the 2018 season putting the finishing touches on his knee-injury rehab.

28 Niko Hansen 23 (second MLS season) 5 feet 10, 170 pounds

Made 14 appearances as a rookie in 2017 before being slowed by sports hernia surgery. … Had one goal and two assists in a little more than two months last season … Bench option at right wing, with the potential to earn more time.

10 Federico Higuain 33 (seventh MLS season) 5 feet 8, 165 pounds Finished second in Comeback Player of the Year voting after registering nine goals and 14 assists in 2017. … Is two goals and one assist away from reaching 50 in both categories. … Recorded nine assists in the Crew’s final seven regularseason games last season.

18 Cristian Martinez 21 (third MLS season) 5 feet 7, 174 pounds

Begins 2018 with an opportunity to start on the right wing after two seasons as a reserve. … The Panama native has one goal in 13 MLS appearances. … Scored once in the Carolina Challenge Cup preseason tournament.

9 Pedro Santos 29 (second MLS season) 5 feet 6, 139 pounds

Transitions to left wing to begin 2018 after spending the final eight games of 2017 as the Crew’s starting right wing. … Crew SC went 5-0-3 with Santos in the starting lineup last season. … Acquired from Portuguese club SC Braga last summer.

20 Eduardo Sosa 21 (first MLS season) 5 feet 7, 165 pounds

Signed from Venezuelan club Zamora FC in early January. … Provides Crew SC a speedy reserve option at central attacking midfielder behind Federico Higuain. … Dished out two assists in Crew SC’s second game at the Pacific Rim Cup in Hawaii this preseason.

6 Wil Trapp 25 (sixth MLS season) 5 feet 8, 150 pounds

Made his fourth national team January Camp appearance. … Begins his second season as Crew SC’s captain after playing all but 25 minutes in 2017. … Pairs with Artur in the central midfield for the second straight season.

FORWARDS 14 Adam Jahn 27 (fifth MLS season) 6 feet 3, 201 pounds Scored one goal in

27 Edward Opoku 21 (first MLS season) 5 feet 7, 140 pounds

Selected in the second round of the 2018 SuperDraft. … Scored eight goals and added four assists as a junior at Virginia in 2017. … Reserve option at striker and winger this season.

11 Gyasi Zardes 26 (sixth MLS season) 6 feet 1, 187 pounds

Acquired by Crew SC in a January trade that sent Ola Kamara to the Los Angeles Galaxy. … Scored two goals in 24 appearances with the Galaxy in 2017. … Begins 2018 as the Crew’s primary striker option. … Scored six goals in his last five preseason games.

GOALKEEPERS 24 Jon Kempin 24 (ninth MLS season) 6 feet 1, 175 pounds

Served as a backup for eight seasons with Kansas City and Los Angeles. … Made saves on two penalty kicks in a 2-0 loss against Crew SC last August. … Veteran backup option behind starter Zack Steffen.

30 Logan Ketterer 24 (second MLS season) 6 feet 3, 180 pounds

Selected in the fourth round of the 2017 SuperDraft out of Bradley. … Did not make an appearance for Crew SC last season but was re-signed Jan. 11 after having his 2018 option declined. … Likely a second- or third-string option at goalkeeper.

12 Ben Lundgaard 22 (first MLS season) 6 feet 5, 205 pounds

Selected 21st overall in the 2018 SuperDraft out of Virginia Tech. … Recorded six shutouts in 20 starts as a senior for the Hokies in 2017. … Signed by Crew SC on March 1. … Depth goalkeeper and perhaps a USL loan option.

23 Zack Steffen 22 (second MLS season) 6 feet 3, 190 pounds

Played every minute of every regular-season and postseason game for Crew SC in 2017. … Made 98 saves and won 16 games as a rookie. … Made eight saves in a postseason knockout-round game against Atlanta United. … Earned first U.S. senior national team cap in January.