2016 Columbus Crew SC season
The 2016 Columbus Crew SC season was the club's twenty-first season of existence and their twenty-first consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. Columbus also competed in the U.S. Open Cup and took part in the Desert Diamond Cup during preseason. The season covered the period from December 7, 2015 to the start of the 2017 Major League Soccer season.
Roster
Non-competitive
Preseason
On December 23, 2015, Columbus announced its preseason schedule for the 2016 season. Crew SC were to open preseason by traveling to Lakewood Ranch, Florida for a two-week camp, followed by a week-long camp in Powell, Ohio. Columbus would then travel to Arizona to compete in the 2016 Desert Diamond Cup, one of six Major League Soccer sides taking place in the tournament. Crew SC had scheduled matches against Sporting Kansas City, Real Salt Lake, and Swope Park Rangers, with an additional placement match to be determined after the conclusion of the scheduled matches.Midseason
Competitive
MLS
Standings
Eastern Conference">Eastern Conference (MLS)">Eastern Conference
Overall table
Results summary
Results by round
Match results
U.S. Open Cup
Statistics
Goals and assists
Disciplinary record
Transfers
In
SuperDraft
The following players were selected by Columbus in the MLS SuperDraft, but did not sign a contract with the club.| Pos. | Player | College | Notes | Date | Source |
| MF |  Chase Minter | Cal Poly Mustangs | Selected in the Second Round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Signed for Sacramento Republic on Mar 16, 2016. | Jan 14, 2016 | |
| FW | Kyle Parker | Charlotte 49ers | Selected in the Second Round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Signed for Wilmington Hammerheads on Mar 24, 2016. | Jan 14, 2016 | |
| FW | Vince Cicciarelli | Saint Louis Billikens | Selected in the Third Round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Signed for Saint Louis FC on Mar 3, 2016. | Jan 19, 2016 |
Loan in
Out
Loan out
Awards
MLS Team of the Week
MLS Player of the Week
MLS Player of the Month
;Postseason- MLS Team Fair Play award
- Most Valuable Player – Justin Meram
- Golden Boot Winner – Ola Kamara
- Defender of the Year – Harrison Afful
- Humanitarian of the Year – Ethan Finlay
- Kirk Urso Heart Award – Hector Jiménez
- Academy Player of the Year – Devyn Etling
Kits
| Type | Shirt | Shorts | Socks | First appearance |
| Home | Black | Black | Black | Week 3 against Chicago Fire |
| Away | White/Yellow | Teal | White | Week 1 against Portland Timbers |
The away kit was based on the flag of Columbus.