The Columbus Crew travel to take on Atlanta United for their last match before a layoff for the All-Star Game and Leagues Cup. Anything other than a win in this match will feel like a letdown, especially after experiencing midweek disappointment against Charlotte. Due to the Crew having a first-round bye in the Leagues Cup, their next competitive match is August 9th versus an opponent that is to be determined. Dropping points against Charlotte FC in the midweek match placed more pressure on this match if Columbus wants to be in contention for the Supporter’s Shield. 

The Crew remain relatively healthy with only goalkeeper Evan Bush out with a broken bone in his arm. Two players will be out for international duty, goalkeeper Patrick Schulte who is at the Olympics, and midfielder Taha Habroune who is at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship. 

Here is how Columbus could lineup:

Goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen will start this match. Hagen played a good game overall for the Black & Gold in his first start, although a single mistake led to a Charlotte goal. Hagen has not had much playing time as of late, which keepers need to stay sharp. With a game under his belt and playing an opponent that is lacking attacking talent due to a mass sell-off, this match should be comfortable for Hagen, who is a talented keeper. 

Columbus dropped points in the midweek match puts more pressure on this match, and as such head coach Wilfried Nancy will not rotate much in the backline. Defender Rudy Camacho was almost able to snuff out Charlotte’s goal with a fantastic block, unfortunately the ball fell back to the feet of forward Patrich Agyemang who then scored the goal. Camacho might not be able to keep up stride for stride with the some forwards, but the veteran’s awareness and experience make up for this. Camacho will start especially with a goalkeeper in net who has not played many matches recently. Defenders Yevhen Cheberko and Steven Moreira will start flanking Camacho.

Wingbacks Mo Farsi and Max Arfsten will start against Atlanta. Arfsten continues to be dangerous as the left wingback which has pushed wingback Yaw Yeboah down the depth chart. In his substitute performances, Yeboah has been dangerous as he fights to win his spot back. The competition in the team sheet has improved the on field quality for the left wingback position. Farsi has improved as a decision maker in front of goal, last season and early in the 2024 season Farsi often looked hesitant when an opportunity to shoot presented itself. Now Farsi has been more decisive and putting himself in better scoring positions. If the Crew wingbacks are scoring consistently, it will be hard for any team in the MLS to slow them down. 

This might have been a match to rotate midfielder and captain Darlington Nagbe, but Columbus need the points before this break. Nagbe has gone the full 90 minutes against LAFC and Charlotte with travel between LA, Columbus, and now Atlanta over eight days, expect an earlier substitution since Nagbe will be playing midweek in the All-Star Game. The Black & Gold were able to officially add midfielders Dylan Chambost and AZ Jackson, both of whom will be available for this match. Do not expect either to start right away, It is unclear also where Nancy might use both players, as they both fit a more advanced role. Nancy might have an eye for them outside of the midfield. While it is unlikely for either of them to start in the midfield next to Nagbe, it will be interesting to see if either of them get a substitute appearance in the center midfield. Expect Sean Zawadzki to start alongside Nagbe. 

Forwards Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi will start in this match. It will be interesting to see what Nancy does with the third attacker position. Forward Christian Ramirez has been solid up top, but with the return of forward Jacen Russell-Rowe and midfielder Alex Matan being in good form, Ramirez might have more competition. Ramirez had a solid performance being on the end of the biggest chances for the Crew but struggled to put those chances on target. Luck was against Ramirez and his positioning and solid performance is what Nancy will take away from that match. Nancy might choose to rotate Ramirez in this match to give Russell-Rowe playing time before the break. Russell-Rowe had a steady amount of matches before leaving for international duty, but he did not see much action at the Copa America and could use the playing time.

The action kicks off from Mercedes Benz Stadium at 7:30 PM.