Football · Columbus Crew · MLS
The Crew’s attacking options have changed, with Diego Rossi reportedly leaving for CF Monterrey after a productive spell in Columbus. The club has added Brais Méndez, Lautaro Giaccone and Eric Bailly, although the report says all three are still waiting for work permits.
That uncertainty could leave Columbus relying on familiar players as it tries to replace an important source of creativity and goals. The pause may have offered time to adjust, but competitive rhythm cannot be recreated on the training ground alone.
NYCFC, meanwhile, could have James Sands available after his return from a season-and-a-half loan at FC St. Pauli. His understanding of the club and experience in European football could provide balance in midfield as Jansen continues to establish his methods.
Sands said the coach has allowed him time to settle in: “Sobre o meu papel, ele me deixou me adaptar e entender as coisas nas primeiras semanas. Acho que ele teve cuidado para não me sobrecarregar com muita informação logo de cara.”
The fixture also brings familiar international faces together. New York goalkeeper Matt Freese and Columbus midfielder Max Arfsten represented the United States, while Freese will face NYCFC teammates Kai Trewin and Aiden O’Neill after their World Cup meeting with Australia.
Arfsten offered a typically direct view of the duel: “Tomara que a gente consiga fazer alguns gols nele,” he said of Freese.
The next storyline is whether Columbus’s new-look squad or NYCFC’s returning core settles fastest when the MLS campaign resumes for real.