The Columbus Crew are starting to close in on the MLS All-Star break and life without Patrick Schulte as he heads off for the 2024 Paris Olympics. But they have to get through a tough test that is LAFC, in what will be a must-watch matchup as the two teams meet in LA for the first time. This matchup also serves as an MLS Cup rematch where the Columbus Crew claimed their third championship in franchise history by a 2-1 scoreline.

However, things have changed for the California Black & Gold side. They have added former Columbus Crew striker Kei Kamara, who sits second in MLS’ All-Time scoring list. Kamara, a Sierra Leone native, has changed the dynamic of LAFC with his three goals and two assists so far this season. Sure, it’s not a lot but LAFC now have a true No. 9, and he is a force to be reckoned with.

“Kei is a good player. He is a good guy,” said defender Rudy Camacho. “He’s always positive with energy. He’s 39-years old but he’s running like he’s 20-years old.”

Kamara and Camacho played alongside one another during their stint with CF Montreal, under head coach Wilfried Nancy. Thoough the focus will be on everybody as LAFC have more attacking pieces, Kamara brings a different approach to the table. Aerial duels.

“I have learned a lot or so with Kei because he is unbelievable,” said Nancy earlier this week.

“I remember when I was in Montreal and his name popped up, I was not so keen to take him because I wanted him before, because he was younger. We wanted him but it was not possible so everytime we are playing against him, he was scoring a minimum two goals, just to send a message ‘You don’t want to take me? Okay, I’m going to score goals.’ But when he came with us, he’s an example of team spirit.”

So far this season, Kamara has 13 headed shots, the most in his career. Columbus have won just 156 aerial duels so far this season. LAFC? 230. Their target? Kei Kamara.

“We have to play smart,” said Camacho. “Play with the brain. For Kei, yeah he’s jumping high; We might not try to jump with him, we might try something else. This is the way it is. You have to be smart sometimes. He’s better than me at this game so I will not play this game but I will do something else for him to not touch the ball with his head,” Camacho went on to say.

Defensive set pieces for the Columbus Crew will be crucial for the 2023 MLS Cup champions as they will look to limit Kamara from getting on the end of any and every ball serviced towards goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and the Crew’s penalty area.

“We’ve been good,” Nancy said. “We’ve been able to adjust on certain things depending the opposition. The idea is going to be the same. But again, I know that my players want to do well all the time and they’ve grown a lot on set pieces.”