Columbus Crew 2023 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions
By Chris Smith
Columbus Crew are pushing for a return to the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2023.
With Wilfried Nancy arriving from CF Montreal to replace Caleb Porter on the sidelines, and a number of longtime players leaving - including Pedro Santos, Artur, and Jonathan Mensah - we're set to see a very different team take to the field on February 25.
The Crew have missed out on the Playoffs in three of the last four seasons though, of course, they did go all the way in 2020. Even so, they'll be keen to improve on that record and re-establish themselves among the MLS elite.
So, here's everything you need to know about the Columbus Crew ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.
How did Columbus Crew perform in 2022?
- Regular season: 8th in Western Conference
- MLS Cup Playoffs: Didn't qualify
- US Open Cup: Third Round
Columbus Crew transfer activity
Transfers in
Player | Former Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Jimmy Medranda | Seattle Sounders | Free transfer |
Keegan Hughes | Stanford Cardinal | Free transfer |
Max Arfsten | San Jose Earthquakes II | SuperDraft |
Xavier Zengue | Dayton Flyers | SuperDraft |
Christian Ramirez | Aberdeen | Undisclosed |
Transfers out
Player | Club Joined | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Artur | Houston Dynamo | $300k |
Jonathan Mensah | San Jose Earthquakes | $200k (rising to $500k) |
Derrick Etienne Jr | Atlanta United | Free transfer |
Pedro Santos | DC United | Free transfer |
Erik Hurtado | - | Released |
Marlon Hairston | - | Released |
Perry Kitchen | - | Retired |
Jalil Anibaba | - | Released |
Wilfried Nancy: Tactics and style of play
During his time with Montreal, Nancy mostly used a three-at-the-back system. However, at the time of writing, Columbus simply don't have the numbers to do so, meaning a back four is looking likely pending further investment.
What won't change are Nancy's principles. He likes his teams to dominate the ball and use it to methodically open gaps in the opposition defense with quick combinations centrally and, when the chance arises, big switches of play.
In Cucho Hernandez and Lucas Zelarayan, Nancy has his perfect partnership between a dynamic, powerful forward and a creative No.10. The latter could be just as important to him as Djordje Mihailovic was at Montreal.
Columbus Crew predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Room; Moreira, Degenek, Williams, Medranda; Nagbe, Morris; Diaz, Zelarayan, Yeboah; Hernandez.
Who is Columbus Crew's key player?
Lucas Zelarayan
We've already seen a short snapshot of what Hernandez could bring to MLS. However, the Crew will still lean heavily on the much more tried and tested Lucas Zelarayan.
The Armenia international has been among the best players in the league since joining in 2020, hitting 31 goals (some of them incredible strikes) and 17 assists in 86 games across all competitions, winning MLS Cup and Campeones Cup titles in the process.
Zelarayan can open up the opposition from pretty much any position on the field and if you give him time and space, he can score from anywhere, too.
Nancy loves his creative midfielders and he's got a real star at Columbus in Zelarayan.
Columbus Crew 2023 season prediction
In midfield and attack, the Crew have enough talent to hang with pretty much any team in Major League Soccer. At the back, though, they appear desperately short of numbers and although they still have time to make additions, it's going to be a sharp transition period for whoever comes in.
That could ultimately prove damaging to Columbus' MLS Cup Playoffs hopes, though their firepower and Nancy's tactical skill alone would be enough to keep them competing for the last couple of spots throughout.
Will Columbus Crew qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? No