Crew tactical review: Columbus starts off 2025 with a win over Chicago

The Columbus Crew grabbed its first win of the season with a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Fire at Lower.com Field. The visitors got out to an early lead, but Columbus responded shortly after courtesy of Jacen Russell-Rowe. Yet again, Chicago pushed out in front just minutes later to give Gregg Berhalter a lead against his former team. From there, it was all Black & … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus starts off 2025 with a win over Chicago

Crew tactical review: Columbus’ season ends prematurely in New Jersey

The Columbus Crew had their season come to a premature end on Sunday, falling in penalty kicks to the New York Red Bulls. After losing the opening game in Columbus, the Black & Gold travelled to New Jersey to try and even the best-of-three series. Substitute Max Arfsten opened the scoring for the crew, but RBNY was able to equalize when a defensive lapse led … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus’ season ends prematurely in New Jersey

Tactical review: Columbus is stunned at home by RBNY to open up the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs

The Columbus Crew started off their 2024 playoff campaign in disappointing fashion, losing their first game at home to New York Red Bulls. After beating RBNY a few weeks ago, the visitors came out with a new game plan to combat the defending champions. This new plan worked well, allowing New York to grab a goal off a corner midway through the first half. RBNY … Continue reading Tactical review: Columbus is stunned at home by RBNY to open up the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs

Crew tactical review: Columbus closes out the regular season with another win

The Columbus Crew rounded out their regular season with a road win over New York Red Bulls. This win not only cemented their spot as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, but it also set Columbus up with a best-of-three matchup against this same Red Bulls side. Wilfried Nancy threw out a half-rotated lineup for this game, but there were still major home field … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus closes out the regular season with another win

Crew tactical review: Columbus exploits poor defensive play to grab three points

The Columbus Crew continued their winning ways, downing the New England Revolution 4-0 at home. DeJuan Jones opened the scoring against his former team in the fifth minute, cutting inside and placing a curler into the side netting. After that, the pitch became the Alexandru Matan show. The Romanian would score nine minutes later to double Columbus’ lead and then twice more in the second … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus exploits poor defensive play to grab three points

Crew tactical review: Columbus downs Philadelphia behind Cucho Hernandez’s brace

The Columbus Crew bounced back from their loss against Inter Miami to face the Philadelphia Union at home on Saturday. It did not take long for the scoring to start, with Cucho Hernandez heading in a Dylan Chambost-delivered corner to put Columbus up 1-0. The Union would find the equalizer off a rebound, but Mo Farsi put the Black & Gold back ahead just before … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus downs Philadelphia behind Cucho Hernandez’s brace

Crew tactical review: Columbus finds out Messi can still shine in Ohio

The Columbus Crew returned home after grabbing a draw in D.C. to face Inter Miami with the Supporters Shield on the line. Columbus had to avoid a loss to keep their Shield hopes alive, while Miami only needed a victory to capture the regular season title. The visitors would strike first with two goals in the last five minutes of the first half. After being … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus finds out Messi can still shine in Ohio

Crew tactical review: Columbus falls in a controversial Campeones Cup shootout

The Columbus Crew made a return to international action on Wednesday, facing Mexican giants Club America in the Campeones Cup. It was a rough first half for Columbus, with America enjoying the bulk of posession and seemingly imposing their will. Near the end of the first half though, the Black & Gold began to grow into the game. After the halftime intermission, the Crew were … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus falls in a controversial Campeones Cup shootout

Crew tactical review: Columbus slays the Lions in a seven-goal thriller

The Columbus Crew showed no signs of slowing down despite a congested schedule, besting Orlando City SC 4-3 on Saturday evening. Columbus struck first, with Diego Rossi finding the back of the net with a little help from a deflection. From there, the Black & Gold slammed home two goals in the second half to extend their lead. Both Christian Ramirez and super-sub Cucho Hernandez … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus slays the Lions in a seven-goal thriller

Crew tactical review: Columbus claims another Trillium Cup with a win over Toronto

The Columbus Crew returned to winning ways in a midweek matchup with rival Toronto FC. Columbus made the trek up to Canada after a scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Because of this, the Black & Gold featured a slightly rotated lineup, with another matchup with Orlando City SC coming on the weekend. The Crew struggled a bit in the first half, failing to … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus claims another Trillium Cup with a win over Toronto

Crew tactical review: Hell is scoreless

The Columbus Crew traveled down Interstate 71 on Saturday, looking to rebound against bitter rivals FC Cincinnati. It was a tightly contested matchup, with both teams generating some looks on goal and controlling portions of the match. Despite the combination of these two highly talented teams, the game ended in a 0-0 draw. Despite the shared points, the Black & Gold clinched a playoff spot … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Hell is scoreless

Crew tactical review: Goalkeeper-less Columbus gets blitzed by the league, and Seattle

The Columbus Crew returned to MLS action after a week of rest to take on the Seattle Sounders at home on Saturday. Columbus featured a highly rotated lineup due to a significant number of players being called up to international duty. One surprising aspect of the team sheet was the inclusion of only one goalkeeper after MLS denied the Black & Gold’s exemption request to … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Goalkeeper-less Columbus gets blitzed by the league, and Seattle

Crew tactical review: Columbus finds a way to win yet again vs. NYCFC

The Columbus Crew extended its winning streak on Saturday, coming from behind against NYCFC to claim all three points and winning by a 4-2 scoreline. It was another rocky start in Columbus, with the Black & Gold going down a goal within four minutes. The Crew responded 13 minutes later through Diego Rossi and doubled their lead in the second half thanks to a goal … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Columbus finds a way to win yet again vs. NYCFC

Crew tactical review: Rotated Black & Gold grab a win in Philly

The Columbus Crew resumed their winning ways on Wednesday evening, besting the Philadelphia Union on Columbus’ return to MLS play. The Black & Gold featured a heavily rotated squad, with nine changes from the starting XI from the Leagues Cup Final. The Crew backup brigade kept it scoreless deep into the second half, when Wilfried Nancy decided to dip into his star power off the … Continue reading Crew tactical review: Rotated Black & Gold grab a win in Philly