The Columbus Crew are back in MLS action against New York City FC after a lengthy layoff. A disappointing performance and circumstances while competing for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final led to a poor result, but Friday’s contest against the Pidgeons offers the chance to rebound.

A lot has happened since Columbus last played in a contest, including General Manager and President Tim Bezbatchenko leaving the Crew for a Premier League side, AFC Bournemouth, and homegrown midfielder Aidan Morris is reportedly set to join Championship side Middlesbrough. Morris’ deal is not finalized and he is reported to play one last match with the Black & Gold before the deal is done.

Head coach Wilfried Nancy confirmed that goalkeeper Patrick Schulte would be available for this match, which is relieving as goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen is out on international duty and goalkeeper Evan Bush is still out with a wrist injury. Forward Jacen Russell-Rowe was called into the Canadian camp ahead of Copa America action with the first match starting on June 20th. 

Here is how Columbus could lineup:

Schulte, the Golden Glove from the Concacaf Champions Cup will start for the Black & Gold. Schulte has won the MLS Next Pro Cup, MLS Cup, and was the best goalkeeper for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. A strong Olympic performance could bring greater interest from abroad. With Hagan on international duty and Bush injured, Columbus could turn to young goalkeeper Cole Johnson from the Columbus Crew 2 to back up Schulte.

While the midfield might see some changes for the Crew, consistency has been building along the Black & Gold backline since defender Rudy Camacho arrived last summer, which has improved the team tremendously. Expect Camacho to start as the middle centerback with defenders Steven Moreira and Malte Amundsen flanking him. Amundsen previously played for the Pigeons and will be the most familiar with the oddity of playing in a baseball stadium. 

Wingbacks Mo Farsi and Will Sands will start on the flanks. One positive of playing at Yankee Stadium is that it is shorter which will help the wingbacks cover more of the field and expend less stamina. With a more narrow field the midfield can get congested, making it more difficult to play through, Sands will get the nod over wingback Yaw Yeboah, as Yeboah looks to carry the ball into the box and midfield more while the game plan needs a wider presence. 

With Morris’ impending departure, Sean Zawadzki will likely find more time as a midfield compatriot to midfielder and captain Darlington Nagbe. Zawadzki’s tackling and overall defensive abilities make slotting him a natural fit to replace Morris. Zawadzki also is the Crew’s most dangerous attacker from corner kicks. 

Cucho Hernandez will get the start to attempt to bust out of his current slump. Hernandez only has five goals and two assists in 15 total matches this year while not recording a goal or an assist in the last four matches. Only in one match has Hernandez had multiple goal contributions. Forward Diego Rossi on the other hand has busted out of his early season slump, scoring four goals and recording two assists in his last four matches. Columbus recently signed a dynamic midfielder in Dylan Chambost, whom Issa Tall has said could play the six, eight or ten, but starting in this match is unlikely as the transfer window is yet to open. This seems like a prime match for forward Christian Ramirez, the smaller pitch leads to more corners and the Crew may look to cross more than normal.