The Columbus Crew travel to the Music City to take on Nashville SC for their second consecutive road game. The Black & Gold will try to shake off a disappointing and infuriating loss to Charlotte last week, where it seemed everything went against them. Some good news awaits Crew supporters, head coach Wilfried Nancy is no longer ill, the referee strike has ended, and players with the United States U-23 National Team have returned.

Midfielder Alex Matan was more involved in practice this week and seems well-recovered from his thigh injury. Defender Rudy Camacho and forward Christian Ramirez picked up injuries that Nancy classified as “leg” injuries. Nancy reported that Camacho might return as early as next week while Ramirez will be sidelined for multiple weeks.

Here is how Columbus might lineup:

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte returns to the starting eleven. Schulte was away with the U-23 national team as they prepared for the summer Olympics. The Crew keeper started in a 2-2 draw against France alongside fellow Crew teammate Aidan Morris. 

The injury to Camacho leaves the Black & Gold shorthanded in the defense but Sean Zawadzki has shown he can be an MLS starter at multiple positions and will start the match as the middle center back. Defender Yehven Cheberko will start as the left center back allowing defender Malte Amundsen to begin on the bench as they balance hosting Tigres UNAL on Tuesday. Defender Steven Moreira will start as the right center back.

Wing-backs Mo Farsi and Yaw Yeboah will man the flanks. Expect a hunger for involvement from Yeboah, who saw his role diminish in the previous match due to a questionable red card that reduced the Crew to ten men midway through the first half. Columbus still attempted to play their style of soccer, but Yeboah was subbed off at halftime as the Black & Gold looked to add defensive stability.

Midfielders Aidan Morris and captain Darlington Nagbe will start in the middle of the pitch. Morris and Nagbe understand each other well, working in tandem to complement what the other brings to the team while also being cornerstones of what Nancy wants the team to do on both sides of the ball. With midfielder, Derrick Jones suspended for the match and Zawadzki filling in for the injured Camacho, expect Matan to be the reprieve for Nagbe as the Crew will want their captain to be fully available for their midweek CONCACAF Champions Cup match.

Forward Jacen Russell-Rowe will start alongside DP forwards Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi. Russell-Rowe continues to get good chances this season and will elevate his game. With Ramirez expected to miss some time, Russell-Rowe has an opportunity to make consistent appearances for the Crew. Hernandez was visibly frustrated at how Columbus seemed to be playing against two opponents, the referee and Charlotte, last match and will play with the emotion that Wilfried Nancy encourages.

Expect a big match from the Columbian.