With the 2024 MLS season inching closer and closer for the Columbus Crew, it’s time for the staff to predict how the Black & Gold will perform. All staff members were asked to give their finish, MVP, Golden Boot winner and Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY).

Ty Fisher 

• Finish: 2nd in East, 2nd in Supporters Shield

The Columbus Crew proved me wrong in my initial prediction last year. Though it was not put into the article, I had predicted the Crew to finish 5th in the Eastern Conference. I love being wrong. This year, I can see the Columbus Crew upping their 3rd place finish from last year. Columbus returns a good core of members from their MLS Cup-winning season and added a few depth pieces to coincide with the heavy rotation head coach Wilfried Nancy must do this year. 

• MVP: Cucho Hernandez

Cucho Hernandez took the league by storm last year after the departure of Lucas Zelarayan. A key piece in the Crew’s success during the season en route to the Club’s third MLS Cup in franchise history, Hernandez will be heavily leaned on to keep Columbus successful. With a significant locker room presence, heart, and passion for the game, Hernandez will be the motivator for those around him. 

• Golden Boot: Cucho Hernandez

Hernandez can pick up right where he left off last year. After turning the goal-scoring ability on, Hernandez sat in third place in the Golden Boot race in MLS. This year, he’s going to be the goalscorer. He has a set goal, but “it’s a secret,” as he told me during the midweek availability. With the capability to score from anywhere, Hernandez can quickly rack up 20+.

• DPOY: Rudy Camacho

A midseason acquisition, Rudy Camacho is just Wilfried Nancy as a field player. Camacho knows how Nancy runs his system and makes the backline look good. Since joining, the field general has been a commanding presence in the backline and has ensured wins for the Black & Gold team. 

Caleb Denorme

• Finish: 2nd in East

The Crew are coming off yet another championship season and will return mostly everyone from last year’s squad. With a full season already completed under the tutelage of Wilfried Nancy, look for the Black & Gold to take the next step towards consistency in the 2024 regular season.

• MVP: Diego Rossi

It would be really easy to pick Cucho Hernandez for this, but I believe Diego Rossi will take a massive step forward in 2024. As the replacement for Lucas Zelarayan, Rossi was thrust into the team halfway through last season. The Uruguayan had 5 goals and six assists in the regular and postseason last year. With time to learn Nancy’s system and gel with his teammates under his belt, Rossi will be a force to reckon with this year.

• Golden Boot – Cucho Hernandez

This is an easy choice. Barring an injury (knock on wood), Hernandez will be in the early-season MVP conversation in 2024. He is the main attacking threat for a Crew team that is riddled with offensive talent. He takes this one in a landslide.

• DPOY – Steven Moreira

Steven Moreira may be the most important player on the team in terms of tactical fit and leadership. The veteran defenseman made the transition from playing as a right back to an outside centerback in year one under Nancy. The positional change stuck, and he established himself as one of the best defenders in MLS. I don’t think that will change this season, as he is in for another huge year.

Grant Miller

• Finish: 1st in the East, No Shield

The East is such a meat grinder that everyone beats up on everyone. While Seattle or LAFC cruise to a Shield.

• MVP: Cucho Hernandez

Cucho. Chance creator and dominant finisher. He can do it all. The only thing that may throw this off would be a big-ticket summer transfer back to Europe

• Golden Boot: Diego Rossi

Going to zig where everyone else is zagging here. I expect Rossi to put away a lot of one-touch finishes in front of goal that are a product of the Wilfried Nancy System. Opposing defenses can only do so much and Rossi will be at the end of a lot of high-percentage chances.

• DPOY: Steven Moreira

Crew fans know how important Moreira is to what Columbus does but expect the national media and fans everywhere to take notice of how impactful the Crew defender is.

Collin Johnson

• Finish: 2nd in East, 2nd in Supporters Shield, MLS Cup Champions

The way the Crew played to close out 2023 suggests that they should be competing for a Supporter’s Shield and MLS Cup in 2024. They will certainly compete but I think they’ll come up just a bit short in the Supporter’s Shield race. With a congested season they’ll drop a few games during the season due to player rotation and will see another Eastern Conference team (Orlando) grab the needed points to secure the Shield. Don’t worry, when the playoffs roll around the Black & Gold will turn up the heat and bring home a second straight MLS Cup.  

• MVP: Cucho Hernandez

Herandez was the club and MLS Cup MVP in 2023 and as long as he is with the team for the entire season there is no reason to expect anything else in 2024. In the Nancy system Hernandez displayed an ability to create chances for his teammates that Crew fans hadn’t seen from him before and this season he will pick up right where he left off.

• Golden Boot: Cucho Hernandez

Despite coming in fourth in the 2023 MLS Golden Boot race Hernandez lead the league in expected goals (all while missing time for an injury during the early part of the season). If he’s healthy the Colombian striker will once again compete for the Golden Boot for both the team and the league.

• DPOY: Steven Moreira

Moreira won this award in 2023 and he’ll do the same in 2024. With another year playing as a right sided center-back he will continue to grow and develop in the Nancy system. I also expect him to compete for MLS Defender of the Year.

Drew McDaniel

• Finish: 4th in East, 5th in Supporters Shield

The Crew will finish 5th in the league. The Western Conference was surprisingly weak last season and the overall competition in the Eastern Conference will remain strong. Amid the multitude of competitions, Columbus will not be front runners for the Supporter’s Shield but should win at least one trophy. The talent and coaching level should carry the Crew to at least the Eastern Conference Final in the playoffs.

• MVP: Cucho Hernandez

As much as I would like to say Darlington Nagbe, the sheer numbers in goal production that Hernandez will produce is what will make the Crew elite this year. I expect over 30 total goal contributions.

• Golden Boot: Cucho Hernandez

Hernandez tops 20 goals.  Diego Rossi will contribute around 15 goals, but the attack and volume of shots needed to be the goal scoring leader will be lead by the number 9.

• DPOY: Steven Moreira

Rudy Camacho will be an anchor in the backline, but Moreira will play every match and contribute a few assists. Moreira and Farsi combined to keep Golden Boot winner and MVP finalist Denis Bouanga surprisingly quiet in the MLS Cup Final.