It has been just 39 days since the Columbus Crew won the 2023 MLS Cup Final, lifting the team’s third league championship at Lower.com Field. Yet on Monday, the Black & Gold return to training as preseason begins in bitter-cold Columbus.

While head coach Wilfried Nancy and president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko focused on keeping the core of the Crew’s championship roster together, there have been some changes for 2024. As we head into the preseason, Massive Report will examine each position and how we think it will look as the Black & Gold look to become the league’s first repeat champions since the LA Galaxy in 2021.

We begin with the goalkeepers.

Starter

Coming into the season a year ago, it seemed Columbus’ goalkeeping situation was rather clear. Eloy Room would be the starter, and Patrick Schulte, recently signed from Crew 2, would serve as his backup. But visa issues caused Room to miss the opening game, giving Schulte an opportunity. Then injuries opened that door further, allowing the former SuperDraft pick to win the job before the team eventually parted ways with Room.

There does not appear to be the kind of back-and-forth experienced over the first half of 2023 this season. Schulte is the unquestioned No. 1 after starting all 31 games in which he played last year. While Schulte conceded the seventh-most goals in MLS last season, he did so as a first-year starter in only his second professional season and while trying to adapt to Nancy’s possession style that requires the goalkeeper to be good with his feet. Schulte improved throughout the year, both in possession and with his shot stopping, recording two postseason shutouts and making multiple big saves during the Black & Gold’s MLS Cup run.

As long as he stays healthy, Schulte will be in goal for Columbus in any game that matters. His confidence rose and his leadership increased throughout 2023, and that will only continue with more experience this year. Don’t be surprised to see Schulte as one of the young faces of the Crew in 2024.

Backup

The battle to be the Black & Gold’s No. 2 this preseason will be interesting to follow. Columbus brought back veteran Evan Bush for his 13th MLS season and fourth with the Crew. The Black & Gold also signed Guatemalan international Nicholas Hagen, who most recently played with Bnei Sakhanin FC of the Israeli Premier League. These two will compete to back up Schulte.

Despite being on the roster last season, Bush played no MLS minutes and only saw action in two Leagues Cup matches and an Open Cup game. Nancy elected to stick with Room or Schulte for every other contest. This will likely change in 2024, as Columbus will also take part in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Campenes Cup. Both Nancy and Bezbatchenko stressed the need for added depth coming out of 2023, and the goalkeeper position should be no different.

While Nancy has not yet spoken on the position, it would be a surprise if Hagen doesn’t take over the backup job. At 27 years old, he is 10 years younger than Bush but has plenty of experience playing around the world and internationally for his country. Bush is likely to serve in a mentor role to both goalkeepers, as he did last year, helping them continue to grow and mature.

Other names to know

The Crew selected UC Irvine goalkeeper Luke Pruter in the third round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. At 6-foot-5, Pruter is a big goalkeeper who received plenty of experience at the collegiate level. But college is not the pros and Pruter is likely to be a developmental project, if he makes the roster. Pruter could be an interesting prospect for Crew 2.

Stanislav Lapkes was signed to Crew 2 last September and impressed in his 17 appearances, 16 starts, as the Black & Gold reserve side returned to the MLS NEXT Pro Final. He could be in line for an opportunity with the first team at times this season if he continues to play well with Crew 2.