Predicted XI: CF Montreal

The Columbus Crew continues the team’s extended road trip by flying from Houston to Canada to take on CF Montreal. Head coach Wilfried Nancy has said that everyone is available after rotating the squad for the midweek game and spending an extra night in Texas for regeneration.

Columbus’ only player that is surely not available is defender Will Sands, who continues a prolonged recovery from his ACL injury. Players such as defender Steven Moreira, midfielder Aidan Morris and forward Cucho Hernandez all played extensive minutes over the last two games and could need some rotation.

Here is how we predict the Crew to line up in Montreal:

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte must feel hard done by his defense being left to go one-on-one with attackers twice and put in difficult situations against the Dynamo. If the Black & Gold continue to play a high line and commit players forward, Schulte will need to find ways to be comfortable in these situations.

Defender Malte Amundsen will make his return to the starting lineup after serving his yellow card accumulation suspension on Wednesday. Joining the Dane will be the two French defenders, Rudy Camacho and Steven Moreira. Moreira has been a staple in Nancy’s lineups and it would be hard to imagine the team without him. Camacho, along with Nancy, make their return to Montreal where both spent significant time.

Wing backs Julian Gressel and Yaw Yeboah make their return to the starting lineup for this game. Gressel has been dangerous and the Crew must look for ways to involve the German American in possession.

The midfield could see rotation between Aidan Morris and Sean Zawadzki. Zawadzki has played extensively as well and Morris will start. Alongside Morris will be Crew captain Darlington Nagbe. The Lakewood, Ohio native only played the first 45 minutes against Houston.

After the midweek game rotation, the Black & Gold’s new front three will be reunited in the attacking lineup of forwards Hernandez, Christian Ramirez and Diego Rossi. Columbus needs this attacking trio to click on the road as well as at home. With the MLS Cup playoffs looming, the Crew will need to pick up as many points as possible to secure home-field advantage. The Black & Gold have eight games left, five away and three at home.

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