In the fast world of Major League Soccer, where physical prowess often takes center stage, the Columbus Crew have been showcasing the power of mental acumen to secure crucial victories. With the absence of striker Cucho Hernandez — who will miss his third straight game due to injury — the team has been put into a challenging position; Yet with proper mental toughness, the Crew have demonstrated that soccer is as much a game of the mind, than the body.

Without Hernandez, the absence of the Colombian striker has posed what some may think, a significant threat to the team’s performance. However, the response has been nothing short of inspirational.

“The brain controls everything,” said Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy.

“It was the topic against Chicago because I knew they were tired. And when you are fresh, the brain sends a signal to the [lower] body, and you are fit to make that action. But when you are tired, the signal is slow.”

Columbus entered the match against their old rivals after a 3-1 win against CF Montreal midweek, hoping to secure another three points. The fatigue was on show Saturday night, when Columbus turned the ball over countless times in the first half, with four of the turnovers being interceptions.

“It’s not about technical tactics. It’s all about the turnovers that we made. It’s not normal because, again, the game and the way we play, we should be able; Under fatigue, is it possible to compete with your brain and to be able to go again,” Nancy said after the 3-1 win over the Fire.

The first element of the teams mental fortitude, is being able to adapt strategically. The good part, is that not many changes have been made to the front of the Crew attack. Jacen Russell-Rowe, Christian Ramirez, Diego Rossi and Alex Matan have proven that the “next man up” mentality is strong, helping Columbus outscore their opponents 8-2 over the last two weeks.

“I think that was an element that I was missing, before I came into this system,” said defender Will Sands.

“I think I usually relied on physicality to prevail. I think being able to think quicker and use your brian to unbalance the other team and exploit their weaknesses, is really important especially at this level when all the teams are very even. I think it’s an element of our game that will give us an edge.”

A cornerstone of the Crew’s ability to be able to compete with their brain and have a strong mental fortitude, is good cohesion within the team. While individual brilliance can shift the outcome of a game, it is just that of cohesion and understanding of how that outcome will come to life.

It’s not doubt that seeing fatigue on the Columbus Crew is obvious. Playing three games in a span of eight days for the seventh time this season, fatiuge will take a toll on the mental aspect of the team.

In the end, however, their recent success underline the importance of competing with the brain, as much as their bodies. As the Black & Gold reach the midpoint of the 2024 MLS campaign, the intellcutal edge will continue to prove to be a critical factor in their race to defend their MLS Cup title, as well as a push to Continental glory when they travel to Mexico to face Pachuca in the Concacaf Champions Cup Final on Saturday.