What The Crew's Recent Rosters Decisions Tell Us About Their Offseason Targets | OneFootball

After an abrupt exit from the 2024 MLS playoffs, the Columbus Crew are gearing up for a crucial offseason. The recent roster decisions announced by the club may provide insight into the positions they might target to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season. Here is a quick look into what their decisions could mean.

Confidence In Goalkeepers

The Crew exercised options for goalkeepers Nicholas Hagen, Abraham Romero, and Patrick Schulte which could indicate they are satisfied with the current goalkeeper situation. Hagen proved himself to be a serviceable starter when Shulte was representing the national team and I would expect that to continue into next season. Evan Bush is out of contract and in negotiations to re-sign, signaling the Crew might look to bring him back as a veteran presence in the locker room. I wouldn't expect much incoming traffic at this position.

Depth in Defense

The defense saw several players retained, including Malte Amundsen, Rudy Camacho, Yevhen Cheberko, Mohamed Farsi, Andres Herrera, DeJuan Jones, and Steven Moreira. The Crew did decline the option for Keegan Hughes. The move here may be to bring in a younger defender who can learn from the likes of Camacho and Cheberko and push Herrera for minutes. Wing-back remains a strength for the Crew if everyone is healthy.

Upgrade Midfielders

With a solid core of midfielders like Darlington Nagbe, Derrick Jones, and Sean Zawadzki already under contract, the Crew exercised the option for AZ Jackson. However, the departure of Alex Matan might prompt the Crew to seek creative midfielders who can provide assists and control the tempo of the game. An attacking midfielder with a knack for breaking down defenses could be a valuable addition. This may be the biggest position to upgrade for the team as they never really found Nagbe's reliable partner cycling through many permutations of midfielders.

Make a Splash in Attack

The forward line remains strong with Cucho Hernández, Diego Rossi, & Christian Ramirez. Jacen Russell-Rowe is the only question mark in this group. The Crew might look to add a dynamic winger or a versatile forward to increase their attacking options. Depth in this area could be crucial for a long season, especially with the physical demands of MLS. I think the Crew go big here and make a DP splash!

The Verdict

The Columbus Crew’s offseason moves will be pivotal in shaping their 2025 campaign. By targeting experienced versatile midfielders and a creative & dynamic attacker, the Crew can build a well-rounded squad capable of competing at the highest level. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team evolves and prepares for another shot at MLS glory. We are only one or two pieces away from another trophy.