The eyes of the continent will be on the Columbus Crew as they travel to Pachuca for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. Pachuca is around 8000 feet above sea level and is a higher altitude than an MLS stadium, it will be a challenge for the Crew but it is one they have been preparing for with altitude training. A win in this match will send either team to the FIFA Club World Cup. It is reported that a team that qualifies for the event will earn just over $50 million. 

The biggest concern for the Black & Gold is the injury status of star striker Cucho Hernandez, who has missed the last three matches with a back injury. Head coach Wilfried Nancy has said the plan is for Hernandez to play in this match. Goalkeeper Evan Bush will still be unavailable with his wrist injury.

Here is how Columbus could lineup:

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte will start in this match as he continues to build his case to be the starting goalkeeper for the US Olympic squad. Schulte has not given up more than one goal in each of his CCC games, he has only given up five goals in six matches. In one of those matches, he also came up with two major stops in a penalty kick shootout. 

Defenders Rudy Camacho, Yevhen Cheberko, and Steven Cheberko will attempt to keep the CCC Golden Boot leader, forward Salomon Rondon in check. Rondon has seven goals in the tournament and will win the Golden Boot unless forward Diego Rossi puts on an out-of-this-world performance to score five goals while Rondon remains scoreless in this match.

Pachuca is a young team that is well acclimated to the altitude they play at and will attack the wide spaces that are vulnerable when Columbus commits players forward. Most teams try to take advantage of the Crew in this way but Camacho, Cheberko, and Moreira have proven to be excellent defenders in those situations while Schulte has improved his decision making and shot stopping from last season.

Wingbacks Mo Farsi and Yaw Yeboah will start in this match. Farsi is able to cover the full right flank attacking and defending with stamina that is unmatched while providing excellent attacking and defensive coverage. Yeboah will give the Crew’s attack more width as he begins most of his attacking sequences and runs from the touchline and works towards goal. 

Midfielders Aidan Morris and captain Darlington Nagbe will man the midfield and need to dictate the tempo and be the outlet pass as Pachuca will press Columbus high up the pitch. The Black & Gold were able to break the press well against Monterrey and are well acquainted with how to break a high press thanks largely to Nagbe’s ability to retain possession under pressure. 

Hernandez was spotted at practice and Nancy has indicated that they would like to start their star forward, anticipate Hernandez to start in this match. This will be the most important match of the 2024 season so even if Hernandez is 75-80% expect him to see the pitch. Rossi will start alongside Hernandez. Rossi is the leading scorer for the Crew in this competition with three goals, scoring all three of his goals against both Monterrey and Tigres. Starting alongside Hernandez and Rossi will likely be Marino Hinestroza, who previously played for Pachuca. Hinestroza will be most adapted to the higher elevation while also being the most knowledgeable about his former club. If Hinestroza does not start it will likely be forward Jacen Russel-Rowe with the start as he continues to be the primary option for Nancy as the third attacker when both DPs are healthy.