The Columbus Crew host the Seattle Sounders Saturday evening, which gives the Black & Gold a rare match over the international break. This match was rescheduled in the international window due to Columbus’ appearance in the Concacaf Champions Cup final. This international break is brutal for the Crew who are missing six players, goalkeepers Patrick Schulte and Nicholas Hagen will not be available for selection. Defenders Steven Moreira, Mo Farsi, and forwards Cucho Hernandez and Jacen Russell-Rowe will also be unavailable. Seattle is missing two starters as well, midfielder Obed Vargas and defender Nouhou.

Goalkeeper Evan Bush is still sidelined with an arm injury, which is a big blow with both Schulte and Hagen on international duty. Other than Bush, Columbus is healthy. Defender Malte Amundsen is suspended this match due to yellow card accumulation. 

Here is how the Black & Gold could lineup:

The goalkeeper is the biggest question mark heading into this match. Newly acquired goalkeeper Abraham Romero will feature in this contest. The front office might have foreseen this international window being a bit uncomfortable with Bush still not ready for a return and that might have prompted the move for Romero from LAFC.

Both MLS Next Pro goalkeepers Cole Johnson and Stas Lapkes are eligible for this match without needing to sign a first team contract. Of the group of three keepers available, Romero has more experience playing in the US Open Cup and Leagues Cup at the first-team level. 

It is important for the Crew to get the defenders right for this match since Columbus had to go very deep into their depth chart in goal. Unfortunately, the Amundsen suspension and Moreira call up come at an unfortunate time, although the Black & Gold should be able to put together a strong and experienced defensive lineup. Defender Rudy Camacho will command the middle of the center backs and be flanked by Yevhen Cheberko and Sean Zawadzki. Fortunately for the Crew, Seattle has not been at the top of the scoring charts. 

The Black & Gold is deep at the wingback position and will have wingback Max Arfsten start as the right wingback and Dejuan Jones starting at left wingback. Jones has made a few instant impacts off the bench leading directly to Crew wins, while Arfsten has shown an ability to play either wingback position. 

Midfielder and captain Darlington Nagbe will be relied upon as the Sounders might try to put whoever is in goal for Columbus under pressure and force the ball backward, none of the options at goal have much or any experience at the first team level. Nagbe has been the release valve and protagonist in possession under pressure. Midfielder Alex Matan has grown defensively this season and will likely play next to Nagbe in this match.

The Crew will be missing their talisman with Hernandez out with Columbia, but their attack has been multifaceted and they have seen contributions from many players this season. The attack will be bolstered by Matan moving into the midfield as well. Forward Diego Rossi will start with forward Christian Ramirez and Nancy will opt to put midfielder Dylan Chambost underneath the two forwards. Midfielder AZ Jackson might slot in for Chambost, but neither seems to have built the rhythm Crew fans would hope for this match, especially since Matan is needed farther back in the midfield.