Columbus Crew begins its 29th season in Major League Soccer on Saturday afternoon by welcoming Atlanta United to Lower.com Field. Head coach Wilfred Nancy and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko have created a roster comprised of players who bring skill and depth to Central Ohio as the Black & Gold look to defend its MLS crown.

The Crew isn’t lacking confidence heading into Saturday’s opener and that can be attributed to the strong culture that manager Wilfried Nancy has cultivated within his locker room. Columbus’ headman possesses an ability to get the best from his roster regardless of talent level.

You know the big names like Darlington Nagbe, Cucho Hernandez, and Diego Rossi. If Columbus hopes to be successful this upcoming season and compete for multiple trophies, the Black & Gold will require depth.

The minimum number of matches Columbus will play this year could be as little as 38, perhaps 39 if MLS teams compete in the US Open Cup. The 2024 schedule breaks down for the Crew to 34 MLS games, two CONCACAF Champions Cup games, one League’s Cup game, and the Campeones Cup match later this year. If the Crew advance only once in each round of the aforementioned tournaments, they will play at least two playoff matches, two more Champions Cup games, one League’s Cup game, and one Open Cup match, that is 45 matches.

Last season, LAFC made the CONCACAF Champions Cup, MLS Cup Final, and a very short run into the Leagues Cup. In total, the Western Conference Champions played in 53 matches which equates to 4770 total minutes. 

Key Returning Players:

The oldest player in the anticipated starting XI will be Darlington Nagbe who turns 34 this July. The rest of the team is under 30 years old which bodes well for a team that will be logging a lot of minutes and putting miles on their legs.

Homegrown midfielder Aidan Morris returns after signing a contract extension last season. Speculation grows as to how long Morris will play in Columbus as he continues to perform well and at 22 years old, fits the profile that MLS teams have been selling to Europe. If Morris makes a move across the Atlantic, it would likely be in the summer during the European preseason.  

Midseason acquisition Rudy Camacho likely anchos the backline along with Malte Amundsen and Moriera. Camacho is the second-oldest player on the roster and could give way to homegrown defender Sean Zawadzki in the latter moments of the match.

Wingback Will Sands returns from injury this season and it will be interesting to see how the Crew opts to use the returning outside back. Defender Yehvan Cheberko showed signs of growth at the end of last season, can the Ukranian continue to grow in the new campaign.

Wingback Mo Farsi remains in Columbus as speculation and rumors emerged in early January he could make a move to the United Arab Emirates, but those were silenced Wednesday as the Club announced the Canadian international signed a contract extension that keeps him in Central Ohio through at least 2027.

Hernandez and Rossi return as Designated Players who have ambitions to capture the Golden Boot, which is awarded to the league’s top scorer. Their position in the starting XI appears solidified as the duo will likely combine with Alex Matan and forward Christian Ramirez as the third attacker. Head coach Wilfried Nancy favored Matan as the starter and often changed the profile of the Crew attack with Ramirez. Both Matan and Ramirez have returned in 2024, as well as Columbus Crew 2 star Jacen Russell-Rowe.

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte returns and should have a solid season as he grows in confidence as the starter.

New Additions:

The Black & Gold were not particularly active in the offseason in terms of bringing in new players. Marino Hinestroza headlines the offseason as a U22 initiative player brought in from Pachuca. Hinestroza’s position in Nancy’s system is a bit of a mystery, he mostly played left winger at Pachuca but Nancy has hinted that Hinestroza could play anywhere among the front three or as either wingback. 

Midfielder Derrick Jones joined the Crew as a free agent from Charolette FC. Jones was a highly touted midfielder in his youth but has not quite panned out as his talent suggested. Many of the MLS soccer pundits believe Nancy’s coaching and system should put Jones in a good position to succeed. If Nagbe or Morris miss any significant time or Morris receives a transfer offer from across the pond, Jones has the tools to keep the Black & Gold competitive. 

Midfielder Taha Habroune officially joined the senior team after a positive season with Crew 2. The young Columbus native faces a tough task to break into a crowded midfield but should see some rotation minutes. Habroune enjoys contributing to the attack and pushing forward but will need to adjust to a more physical environment with the senior team. It would not be a surprise to see Habroune continue to get minutes at Crew 2 if Nagbe and Morris remain healthy.

Goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen joined Columbus from Israeli side Bnei Sakhnin. Hagen plays occasionally for the Guatemalan national team and should present a good backup option to Schulte.

Roster Breakdown:

Goalkeepers (3)

Evan Bush, Nicholas Hagen, Patrick Schulte

Defenders (9)

Malte Amundsen, Rudy Camacho, Yehvan Cheberko, Mo Farsi, Keagen Hughes, Steven Moreira, Philip Quinton, Will Sands, Sean Zawadzki

Midfielders (7)

Taha Habroune, Marino Hinestroza, Derrick Jones, Alex Matan, Aidan Morris, Darlington Nagbe, Yaw Yeboah

Forwards (5)

Max Arfsten, Cucho Hernandez, Christian Ramirez, Diego Rossi, Jacen Russell-Rowe