The Columbus Crew collected a 3-0 victory against New York Red Bulls Saturday evening to collect win number three of the young 2024 MLS season and remain unbeaten. The Black & Gold began the evening paying homage to its former No.3, defender Josh Williams, with a pregame ceremony and ended the evening welcoming back its current No.3 Will Sands from injury. 

The 23-year-old returned to the pitch in the latter moments of Saturday’s contest to assist the Crew in seeing through the victory against New York. Sands’ return marked the first competitive match that he featured in since suffering an ACL injury against Charlotte FC in April 2023. 

“He’s been training well,” said Crew Head Coach Wilfred Nancy. “It was not easy for him. He didn’t have minutes. He’s close, but at the same time, he’s a bit far. It was the moment. I didn’t plan that. The game dictated everything. I thought about him, and I said he deserved it. He deserved it. It was a good moment for him because we had a really good game and the flow of the game was good. I’m happy for him. He deserves it.”

The build up to his return had been a long time coming, one that he made sure to take a moment to enjoy. 

“It was really nice, and it’s a moment I’ve been waiting for a very long time,” said Sands. “And after kind of a rough, kind of last year it was good to finally be back and kind of get back into the swing of things.”

Sands noticed the positive reception from the fans the moment that he saw his number go up on the board, signaling for him to enter the match. 

“I was really appreciative. I think the fans and everyone at the club has helped me through a lot in the last year and I think just being able to hear that meant a lot to me. All their support has really done wonders for me.

The Crew defender wasted no time in mixing it up with the opposing Red Bulls players. Where some might battle a mental hurdle and shy away from contact, Sands jumped right in, even drawing a foul. His return brought electricity to a Black & Gold side that was already motivated on the pitch. As he entered the field, Sands was greeted by midfielder Aidan Morris and goalkeeper Patrick Schulte who were noticeably thrilled to see their comrade return to battle. 

“I was super, super happy for him,” the Crew keeper said. “That’s one of my closest friends on the team. I know with all the work, the emotions, and everything that he’s gone through over the last year. So just seeing him you know, check into the game and step foot on the field. It’s a relief, and just super happy for him and it’s a moment he’ll probably never forget and I’m glad I could share it with him.”

Morris echoed many of the same sentiments in the postgame media scrum, “It put a big smile on my face. I’m pretty zoned in and locked in during games, but that was a moment I just let go, man, I was just so happy because going through the same things a few years ago, I know it means a lot to him.”

Following the match on Saturday evening, Sands made a pit stop with Columbus Crew 2 as the Capys battled New York Red Bulls II on Sunday afternoon at Lower.com Field to begin a new season of MLS Next Pro. He featured in 84 minutes of game action while completing 96.2% of his passes. With such a strong showing for Crew II, could Sands be gearing up for a return against Charlotte FC this coming weekend? Regardless, traveling back to the Queen City is something that the young Columbus defender is excited about. 

“I’m excited. I’ve been to Charlotte a few times and they have a great atmosphere. And so yeah, I’m excited to go there again.”