It is often believed that sharing a language allows better cohesion and communication in a group, which is why Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy is learning Spanish to enhance his Hispanic offensive lineup for the 2024 season. Is there a hidden message behind this, with more Hispanic players in the initial lineup?

Nancy shared a moment with the media on Monday while on preseason with the Black & Gold in Port St. Lucie, Florida to provide an early diagnosis of how the team looks so far. By reading between the lines, Crew fans could draw some conclusions from Nancy’s responses. More Hispanic appearances in the lineup, no new additions from the transfer window and an adaptation process for those who came last year.

“The idea is to connect, to go back together and to go back to the basics knowing that we did a lot of good things last year,” Nancy said. “I’m very happy with the spirit because I know that my team is going to apply what we do.”

Comparing his first year to his second as the team’s head coach, Nancy highlighted his players’ improved connection during “compete day.”

“Today we had a session called compete day, where we do a lot of physical work, but also a small-sided game to compete,” the head coach explained. “I told them at the end of the session that we had to compare the same session we did last year in terms of the connection they have. Last year was normal because they didn’t know the way we worked, but this year, we saw the difference because the team was already organized.”

Better communication with the large contingent of Hispanic players on his team will allow for an easier connection and better performance, which is why Nancy is learning Spanish.

“I figured out I have to speak Spanish,” Nancy said. “I have to be good with that, and I’m going to do it because I like when I can have a discussion with the player in his language.”

This is a small but important decision based on making all the Spanish-speaker players in his team feel more comfortable.

“It is very important for me (and my staff) that the player feels good and can express himself in a good way,” Nancy said. “I can understand Spanish, but I need to get better at talking.”

Nancy talked about the transfer window and explained why Black & Gold are not in a rush to add new players to the first-team roster. There are still players who came last season who adapted and are now having their first full preseason with the club. Max Arfsten, an MLS SuperDraft pick last offseason, is an example.

“We can bring more players, but we are not in a rush because the players that came last year haven’t played a lot, for example, Max,” Nancy said. “This a new player for us because now he understands exactly what we want to do.”

Regarding the new players’ adaptation, Nancy said it takes time, but they are doing well and trying to learn his methods.

“The idea is to give them time, but what I like about them is that there is a desire to apply what we want to do, which is not easy for them, but they keep going,” Nancy said.

Nancy talked about Patrick Schulte’s goals for his second year with the first team. The starting goalkeeper hopes to maintain his first-year level despite the challenges this new season will bring.

“I hear people saying that when you have a good first season, the second one is always difficult,” Nancy said. “Their perspective. I don’t have the same perspective. Why not use last year to help him and get better when it gets difficult? I want him to keep doing what he did last year, knowing that he is going to have the same difficulties.”

From the tactical point of view, Nancy mentioned some aspects where Schulte could improve his game.

“In the tactical point, I’m going to ask him to read the game a little bit quicker for decision making,” Nancy said. “Yes, we want to build the game from the back, but building from the back doesn’t mean we have to play all the time short; it could also be in between (lines) or in behind.”

The defending MLS Cup champions are heading back to Columbus, Ohio on Saturday to continue the preseason at the OhioHealth Performance Center before departing for California to conclude preseason.