The Columbus Crew started the season with a 1-0 victory against Atlanta United and look to collect its first road win of the season, traveling to Minneapolis to take on Minnesota United FC. If Columbus wants to challenge for a Supporter’s Shield trophy, it needs to carry its postseason road form into the new campaign as the Black & Gold only won four away matches during the 2023 regular season. 

The Crew began the campaign with a relatively clean bill of health, but wingback Mo Farsi left the match against Atlanta with a lower leg injury. Head coach Wilfried Nancy reported on Wednesday that Farsi is considered “day to day” and that nothing was broken, just pain management from getting his ankle stepped on. Given the circumstances, that is good news, but fans should not expect to see Farsi against Minnesota. 

Here is how the Crew could line up this weekend:

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made a huge stop in the 71st minute against forward Giorgos Giakoumakis to keep his first clean sheet of the season. Schulte kept his defense well organized, allowing only three shots on target and a late block in the 90th minute to preserve the lead. If Schulte and his centrebacks stay on the same page, Columbus could enjoy a much better season defensively. 

Nancy surprised everyone when his starting XI did not include defender Steven Moreira and instead included Sean Zawadzki. Moreira missed a significant amount of preseason due to Cape Verde’s quarter-final Africa Cup of Nations run. While some might expect Moreira to fill in for Farsi, Moreira brought game-changing vigor from his center-back position after coming on late against the Five Stripes. Joining Moreira will be defenders Malte Amundsen and Rudy Camacho who continue with their good form.

Instead of Moreira deputizing Farsi’s right-wing back position, Zawadzki will fill in. Zawadzki’s versatility seems to find him at the top of the manager’s list of plug-and-play in the event a regular starter cannot go a full 90 minutes. If Zawadzki does start as a right-wing back, look for him and Moreira to interchange positions throughout the match to create mismatches and confusion amongst the Loon defenders. Winger Yaw Yeboah found joy attacking down the left flank, often attacking off long switches which was unusual for the Crew last season. This attacking style utilizes Yeboah’s natural winger abilities and shows why Nancy wants to find a way to keep the Ghanaian on the field.

Will Nancy prioritize the Concacaf Champions Cup match-up with the Houston Dynamo midweek or focus on domestic play? With back-to-back Western Conference opponents in four days, it might not be realistic to expect midfielders Aidan Morris and captain Darlington Nagbe to log every minute of the next few matches. With that being said, Nancy starts the midfield duo in this match.

Forwards Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi should be expected to start nearly every match they are healthy. Both bring zest and fervor to the attack and contribute in different ways. as well as a commitment to their pressing responsibilities.

The third attacker has plenty of debate in Crew fan circles but in this match, it should be striker Christian Ramirez. Ramirez would make a homecoming of sorts, returning to Minnesota. He made a name for himself during his time with the Loons, jumpstarting his career to the level that he currently enjoys. Forward Jacen Russell-Rowe started in the season opener and found a few good chances, ringing one off the crossbar. Crew fans should feel fine with either Ramirez or Russell-Rowe or midfielder Alex Matan in the starting XI.