The Columbus Crew host the New York Red Bulls for their first round matchup of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs. The Crew defeated the Red Bulls 3-2 on a stoppage time winner from defender Malte Amundsen just over a week ago. Playmaker Emil Forsberg scored a brace against the Black & Gold, a reminder that Columbus cannot look past this team now that they are at full strength. 

Amundsen is out of this match with an adductor injury while defender Steven Moreira, a defender of the year candidate is questionable with an ankle injury. Midfielder Taha Habroune is questionable with a torso injury and forward Diego Rossi is questionable with a back injury. Amundsen, Habroune, and Rossi were added to the injury report between decision day and this playoff match. Fortunately, Crew utility man Sean Zawadzki is off the injury report and could fill a defensive hole if Moreira cannot play. 

Here is how Columbus could lineup:

MLS Goalkeeper of the Year finalist, Patrick Schulte will start in net. Schulte has started 27 MLS matches and only allowed 29 goals while Columbus is tied for second in the league with 12 clean sheets. As the competition increases, Schulte will need to build upon his positive regular season especially if Moreria and Amundsen have a prolonged absence. 

Head coach Wilfried Nancy has opted for caution with players listed as questionable, often leaving them on the bench or out of the match-day roster completely. This is problematic for the Black & Gold defense as Amundsen is out and Moreira remains questionable. Defender Rudy Camacho will lead the defense along with defender Yevhen Cheberko. Along with Camacho and Cheberko, Zawadski will get the start to allow Moreira to mend, although as it is a playoff game, expect Moreira to be on the bench if Zawadzki begins to struggle returning from injury recently himself. 

Good news for the Crew is that wingback Mo Farsi is off the injury report from his concussion and will start in this match. Wingback Max Arfsten will man his preferred position as left wingback. 

Captain and midfielder Darlington Nagbe looks to lead the Crew through another playoff campaign to reach the ultimate goal of another MLS Cup. Nagbe has been a constant for the Crew all season, but Nancy has been able to give his captain some rest heading into the playoffs. Nagbe was an unused sub against New York on Decision Day and was subbed off early in the two preceding matches. Midfielder Dylan Chambost is the likely center midfield pairing with Nagbe in this match. 

There is a strong possibility that Nancy keeps Rossi off the starting XI, but Rossi will make the gameday roster. Rossi is the only Crew player this season to play in every MLS regular season game. Forward Cucho Hernandez will start in this match. Hernandez just narrowly missed out on finishing the season with 20 goals, but wasn’t about to score his 20th tally against RBNY. Nancy chose to utilize forward Christian Ramirez as a substitute last postseason, but with Rossi questionable Ramirez has the veteran presence that the team might need. The third attacker is a toss-up of players who have made positive impacts this season, but midfielder AZ Jackson is the hot hand and could start again in this match.