Crew tactical review: Columbus and Chicago play out a scoreless draw on Crewsmas

The Columbus Crew garnered yet another point on the third matchday of the 2026 season, this time in a scoreless draw with the Chicago Fire. It was a game of feeling each other out by both sides, with each squad having chances to break the deadlock, but none finding the back of the net. Max Arfsten had the best chance for the Black & Gold, … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus and Chicago play out a scoreless draw on Crewsmas

The Crew has a Daniel Gazdag problem that isn’t easy to solve

The Columbus Crew currently has a Daniel Gazdag problem, and there’s no obvious solution. For the second time in three games to start the 2026 season, Gazdag was not in the starting lineup against the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Unlike the opening game against the Portland Timbers, Gazdag did not come off the bench on Saturday. Following the 0-0 draw with the Fire, first-year head … Continue reading The Crew has a Daniel Gazdag problem that isn’t easy to solve

What we Learned: Crew vs Chicago Fire

The Columbus Crew were forced to settle for a point against the Chicago Fire for their first home contest of the 2026 MLS season. The match ended 0-0, which was a tightly contested matchup. While the game lacked goals, it still provided several insights into where Columbus currently stands early in the season. From Chicago’s defensive organization to Columbus’s attacking limitations and defensive stability, the … Continue reading What we Learned: Crew vs Chicago Fire

Columbus Crew holds Chicago Fire to 0-0 draw in home opener

The Black & Gold’s home opener against the Chicago Fire was an opportunity to shift the tide with the backing of home support and the spirit of “Crewsmas” in full swing. Following two road matches with one point between them, head coach Henrik Rydström hoped to execute and improve on disappointing results. Despite recording 12 shots, with four on target, the Crew could not break … Continue reading Columbus Crew holds Chicago Fire to 0-0 draw in home opener

Crew tactical review: Columbus salvages first point of the season in Kansas City

The Columbus Crew returned to action for the second match week of the 2026 season, this time traveling to Kansas City to take on fellow MLS original Sporting Kansas City. Yet again, it was Palestinian DP Wessam Abou Ali who opened the scoring for the Black & Gold off a bad giveaway from Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp. After that, Kansas City found its footing, … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus salvages first point of the season in Kansas City

Crew tactical review: Portland chops down the Black & Gold

MLS action returned this weekend, kicking off the 2026 season as the Columbus Crew travelled west to face the Portland Timbers. After losing former head coach Wilfried Nancy in the offseason to a brief spell at Celtic, the Black & Gold hired Henrik Rydström to lead Columbus into the 2026 season. Rydström’s first few minutes at the helm of the Crew looked promising, when Wessam … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Portland chops down the Black & Gold

Columbus Crew Falter, Lose 3-2 in Rydström Debut Match

PORTLAND, OR – Under new management, the Columbus Crew faced off against the Portland Timbers to kick off their 2026 MLS campaign. Henrik Rydström and his staff led the Black & Gold to hopefully gain their first win at Providence Park in Club history. Phil Neville and the Green & Gold had other plans, shutting down the Crew by a 3-2 scoreline.  The Crew got things … Continue reading Columbus Crew Falter, Lose 3-2 in Rydström Debut Match

Wessam Abou Ali Ready to Shine: Poised to Break Out in the 2026 MLS season

There is a different tone in Wessam Abou Ali’s voice this preseason — one rooted in belief rather than introduction. The striker enters 2026 refreshed, after suffering an ankle injury in the latter stages of the 2025 campaign keeping him out for the remainder of the season. In just six games last year, Abou Ali offered flashes: intelligent near-post movement, a willingness to press from … Continue reading Wessam Abou Ali Ready to Shine: Poised to Break Out in the 2026 MLS season

Massive Scouting Report: Portland Timbers

We are BACK baby! The Columbus Crew kick off their 2026 campaign Saturday in the Pacific Northwest against the Portland Timbers. The winds of change have blown through Central Ohio this offseason as the Crew have watched Wilfried Nancy depart for Celtic FC in Scotland and club legend Darlington Nagbe retire. In addition, the Crew sold Jacen Russel-Rowe to French club Toulouse for a reported … Continue reading Massive Scouting Report: Portland Timbers

2026 Massive Report Staff Predictions

The Columbus Crew are back in action this weekend as the Club travels to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Portland Timbers to open up the 2026 MLS season. As matchweek one approaches, we asked the staff to share their season predictions for who they think will win the Club’s Golden Boot, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP and where the team will finish … Continue reading 2026 Massive Report Staff Predictions

New spin, same DNA: Henrick Rydström prepares to lead the Crew in newest evolution

Issa Tall likes to speak about his vision for the Columbus Crew and how he sees the Club (big C). He talks about the DNA forged in recent seasons, which influences every decision he and his staff make. What is that DNA? For Tall, it goes back to well before he was involved with the Crew. Tall came to Major League Soccer in 2013, working … Continue reading New spin, same DNA: Henrick Rydström prepares to lead the Crew in newest evolution