The Columbus Crew showed their determination to win everything they can by rotating nine players from their Leagues Cup winning squad as they make the final stretch into the MLS Playoffs. With most of its starters rested, Columbus should be fresh to host New York City FC over the weekend. NYCFC nearly downed the eventual Leagues Cup champions as the Crew won in a penalty kick shootout. Look for the Black & Gold to not give away a goal in the first 14 seconds of the match this time around. 

Goalkeeper Evan Bush is still out injured for this match, although goalkeeper Nico Hagen has shown he is the likely second-choice keeper and potential successor to starting netminder Patrick Schulte should the first choice backstop transfer out of Columbus. Midfielders Dylan Chambost and Alex Matan suffered from cramping in the heat against Philadelphia, neither is likely to be called into the starting XI for this match. 

Here is how the Crew could lineup:

Schulte returns between the post for the Black & Gold in this match. The 23-year-old had a heroic performance to ensure yet another clean sheet this season for the Black & Gold. The Crew have the best defensive record in the MLS, giving up less than a goal a game, and Schulte has posted eight clean sheets in 20 matches. That is an impressive 40% of his league matches. Schulte made a massive finger-tip save on midfielder Quinn Sullivan to maintain the clean sheet when he just barely got his fingers on the ball to push it onto the crossbar during Wednesday’s victory against the Union. 

Defender Rudy Camacho likely returns to the starting lineup after receiving some much-needed rest. The French defender has been an anchor in the backline but will want to get onto the pitch against NYCFC after an early mistake in Leagues Cup gave NYCFC the advantage after 12 seconds. Fellow defender and countryman Steven Moreira will start in his typical right center back role and defender Malte Amundsen will get the start flanking the French duo

The Crew became more dangerous after a triple substitution in the 62 minute which included wingback Max Arfsten. Arfsten provided the eventual assist and should be assured of his starting spot, whether on the right or left as a wingback. Joining Arfsten will be typical right wingback Mo Farsi. Farsi will miss the next match due to an international call up to Algeria, to whom he switched his international allegiance recently from Canada. 

Utility player Sean Zawadzki has logged a significant amount of minutes lately, and while he could likely still start in this match, head coach Wilfried Nancy might opt to bring in midfielder Taha Habroune to rest Zawadzki. Midfielder and captain Darlington Nagbe will start in this match alongside Habroune. Habroune will be surrounded by veteran and typical starters, which is ideal for a youth player who has not had much experience at the first team level. 

The starting forwards will be the trident of forwards Cucho Hernandez, Christian Ramirez and Diego Rossi. Hernandez provided the ball to Arfsten who then provided the assist, while Diego created danger and made great off the ball runs to power the Crew for a 1-0 victory over Philadelphia. Christian Ramirez has not scored a goal since he providing a spark to power Columbus past Inter Miami, and should be hungry to get on the score sheet. Look for him to potentially make some noise in this one.