Columbus Crew knocked Atlanta United out of MLS Cup playoffs and look destined to bring home the coveted trophy behind impeccable leadership from first-year head coach Wilfried Nancy.
When most teams in sports have a brand-new head coach leading the way, it can tend to take a while for everything to gel and for everyone to get on the same page before results start trending in the right direction. But, the Crew have defied that notion with Nancy at the helm.
Even with club icon Lucas Zelarayan departing in the middle of the season, the Crew's performances haven't really dropped off and they looked prime to make a real run at MLS Cup...
Wilfried Nancy
So far, Nancy couldn't have asked for a better first season at Lower.com Field.
After successful years at CF Montreal, Nancy opted for something different. And so far, he and the Crew have been a perfect fit.
His approach to the game fits right into how the likes of Hernandez and Rossi are best utilized, playing on the front foot with entertaining soccer a must. Nancy's side scored 67 goals in the regular season, the most among all MLS teams, while also typically playing with a three-at-the-back system to solidify the defense.
Even with Zelarayan departing the club for the lucrative Saudi Pro League, Nancy's faith in his team never wavered, especially when you're able to bring in a replacement like Rossi, which definitely helps. The team's results didn't really drop off as they finished third in the Eastern Conference table with 57 points, a clear testament to the Crew's quality and the seamless transition they've enjoyed with Nancy at the controls.
Cucho Hernandez
There's no denying it: When Hernandez is fit and firing, so are the Crew.
Columbus fans may feel that he was snubbed for the 2023 MVP award that includes a shortlist of Lucho Acosta, Thiago Almada and Denis Bouanga, and rightfully so. The 24-year-old, who joined last summer from Watford in the EFL Championship, has only improved with every game played for the Crew.
He's already up to 31 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions for Columbus, stepping up when the team needed him most. For example, after Zelarayan was no longer a member of the Crew, Hernandez put the team on his shoulders to lead them to the playoffs. In the last six games, of the season, he found the back of the net six times which included a hat trick vs Chicago Fire.
Hernandez has also become more of a playmaker in the number nine position, adding 11 assists this season that truly shows how valuable he is to the team.
The Crew will be backed by many to go far in MLS Cup and possibly even win the whole thing, and much of their success in 2023 can be attributed to phenomal coaching by Nancy and the top-notch, consistent performances put in by Hernandez as well as the likes of Rossi, Aidan Morris and club captain Darlington Nagbe.
This article was originally published on 90min as Columbus Crew: Road to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
