Following a season of historic achievement and gut-wrenching transition, Columbus Crew enters the 2026/27 campaign with a squad in flux, a new head coach in Laurent Courtois following Wilfried Nancy’s departure to Celtic, and the challenge of rebuilding after a mass exodus of the core that delivered the 2023 MLS Cup and 2024 Leagues Cup. This is the definitive guide to the current Black & Gold squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Laurent Courtois
Courtois was appointed as Columbus Crew head coach in January 2026, replacing Wilfried Nancy who departed for Celtic in a move that lasted just 33 days before his dismissal in Glasgow. The 47-year-old Frenchman arrives with a deep understanding of the Crew’s philosophy, having previously served as head coach of Columbus Crew 2, where he guided the reserve side to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup. His promotion represents continuity rather than revolution, a deliberate choice by the front office to preserve the club’s identity after Nancy’s departure. General Manager Issa Tall emphasised the importance of maintaining the “desire to play a certain style of play” that has defined the Crew’s recent success.
Tactical Philosophy
Courtois has retained the possession-based, positionally flexible system that became Columbus’s trademark under Nancy, though the personnel changes have necessitated adaptations. The Crew’s statistical profile reveals a team still finding its identity: 6 wins, 5 draws, and 14 losses in the 2026 campaign, with 35 goals scored and 42 conceded. The attacking output remains respectable — 1.40 goals per game — but the defensive record has been a persistent concern, with 1.68 goals conceded per match ranking among the league’s worst. The 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formations have been the most frequently deployed, with the double pivot of André Gomes and Dylan Chambost providing the platform for the attacking talents ahead of them.
Preferred Formations
4-4-2 / 4-3-3 in possession.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Columbus’s summer window was defined by financial necessity and the need to rebuild after the departures of key figures. The club generated significant funds through player sales, most notably Cucho Hernández’s move to Real Betis for approximately $30 million, while Diego Rossi and several other core contributors also departed. The marquee arrival was Brais Méndez, signed from Real Sociedad for €6 million as a Designated Player, a move intended to fill the creative void left by Rossi’s exit. Defender Andrés Herrera’s loan move from River Plate was made permanent, securing a consistent presence at right-back.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brais Méndez | Attacking Midfielder | Real Sociedad | €6m |
| Andrés Herrera | Right-Back | River Plate | Undisclosed |
| Wessam Abou Ali | Striker | — | Permanent |
| Cesar Ruvalcaba | Defender | — | Undisclosed |
| Jamil Danjaji | Academy Promotion | Crew Academy | N/A |
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Patrick Schulte (#28): The USMNT goalkeeper remains the undisputed number one, his shot-stopping and composure providing a foundation of quality behind a defence that has conceded 42 goals in 25 matches. At 25, Schulte has established himself as one of MLS’s most reliable young goalkeepers, and his distribution quality suits the Crew’s build-from-the-back principles. His contract runs through 2027, and his market value of $2.8 million reflects his importance to the squad.
Nicholas Hagen (#1): The Guatemalan international provides experienced backup coverage, his professionalism valued within the goalkeeping group. At 30, Hagen’s presence ensures genuine competition for the starting role.
Evan Bush (#24): The veteran goalkeeper, now 40, serves as a mentor within the squad, his experience of MLS’s demands invaluable for younger teammates.
Stanislav Lapkes (#41): The young Belarusian goalkeeper continues his development, gaining exposure to first-team standards.
Defenders
Steven Moreira (#31): The Cape Verde international remains the anchor of the Crew’s defensive line, his experience and reading of the game providing stability. At 32, Moreira’s versatility across right-back and centre-back makes him a dependable option for Courtois, and his 2,141 minutes this season underline his importance.
Sean Zawadzki (#25): The 26-year-old Homegrown defender has accumulated 2,543 minutes this season, the most of any Columbus outfield player, demonstrating his importance to Courtois’s structure. Comfortable across centre-back, left-back, and defensive midfield, Zawadzki’s tactical intelligence and ball-playing ability make him indispensable.
Rudy Camacho (#4): The French centre-back provides physical presence and aerial dominance, though injuries have limited his availability this season. At 35, his experience remains valuable when fit.
Malte Amundsen (#18): The Danish defender has accumulated 1,911 minutes across 22 starts, his composure on the ball and versatility across left-back and centre-back offering tactical flexibility. His late winner against the New York Red Bulls on Decision Day demonstrated his attacking contribution from defence.
Andrés Herrera (#2): The Argentine right-back’s move from River Plate was made permanent after two productive loan spells, signing through 2028-29. Herrera’s five goals and five assists across his first two years in Columbus underline his attacking contribution from full-back, and his experience of winning titles with River Plate adds a winning mentality to the squad.
Eric Bailly (#3): The former Manchester United defender brings Premier League and Champions League experience to the Crew’s defensive core. At 32, Bailly’s physicality and recovery pace provide a different profile to Moreira and Zawadzki.
Cesar Ruvalcaba (#12): The 25-year-old provides additional depth across the backline, his development continuing within the first-team environment.
Brooks Lennon (#11): The experienced right-back offers attacking thrust and defensive discipline, though a groin injury has disrupted his early-season involvement.
Tristan Brown (#22): The young Homegrown defender continues his development, gaining valuable exposure to first-team football.
Midfielders
André Gomes (#20): The former Barcelona and Everton midfielder remains a key figure in the Crew’s engine room, his 1,504 minutes across 21 appearances reflecting his importance. At 33, Gomes’s technical quality and tactical intelligence provide the platform for the attacking talents ahead of him, and his experience of elite European football adds invaluable perspective.
Dylan Chambost (#7): The French midfielder has been a consistent presence, his salary reflecting his standing within the squad. Chambost’s progressive passing and work rate make him a reliable option in Courtois’s double pivot.
Brais Méndez (#10): The marquee summer signing from Real Sociedad, arriving for €6 million as a Designated Player. Méndez recorded 33 goals and 24 assists in 166 matches for Real Sociedad, including three goals in seven Champions League appearances, and his technical quality and understanding of the game have already had a “positive impact on our roster” according to GM Issa Tall. His three goals and one assist in the Leagues Cup demonstrated his attacking contribution, though his integration into MLS is ongoing.
Sékou Bangoura (#17): The young Guinean midfielder has earned significant minutes, his development accelerating under Courtois’s guidance. An ankle injury has disrupted his recent involvement, but his potential remains significant.
Amar Sejdić (#14): The experienced midfielder provides reliable depth, his professionalism and tactical discipline valued within the squad.
Mohamed Farsi (#23): The Algerian international offers versatility across right-back and right midfield, his pace and crossing ability providing width in the attacking third.
Taha Habroune (#16): The 20-year-old Homegrown midfielder has been one of the season’s bright spots, contributing two goals and five assists in 30 appearances. His development reflects the academy’s productivity, and his market value of $2 million suggests significant potential.
Forwards
Wessam Abou Ali (#9): The Palestine international was expected to be a key attacking figure but suffered a season-ending ACL and meniscus injury in April after scoring five goals in seven games. His absence has been a significant blow to the Crew’s attacking depth, and his return will provide a major boost.
Jamal Thiaré (#19): The Senegalese striker provides physical presence and finishing instincts in the attacking line. At 33, Thiaré’s experience offers a focal point for the Crew’s attack, though his minutes have been limited by the emergence of younger options.
Taha Habroune (#16): The young forward has been deployed in multiple attacking roles, his versatility across striker, attacking midfield, and wide positions making him a valuable tactical asset.
Gonzalo Tapia (#33): The Chilean forward adds depth and competition in the attacking line, his development continuing within the first-team environment.
Chase Adams (#46): The 18-year-old Homegrown forward has earned first-team opportunities after a standout 2025 season with Crew 2, where he scored 10 goals. His development represents the academy’s continued productivity.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: Sean Zawadzki
The Homegrown defender has worn the armband in several matches this season, his leadership and consistency earning the respect of the dressing room. Zawadzki’s 2,543 minutes this season underline his importance both on and off the pitch.
The Leadership Committee
Steven Moreira and André Gomes serve as senior voices alongside Zawadzki, their combined experience of international and European football providing essential guidance for a squad integrating numerous new arrivals.
Homegrown Quota Check
Columbus’s commitment to youth development is evident throughout the squad, with Sean Zawadzki, Taha Habroune, Tristan Brown, Chase Adams, Owen Presthus, Quinton Elliot, and Stanislav Lapkes all representing the academy within the first-team structure. The club’s recent signings of three Academy products to MLS NEXT Pro contracts — Immanuel Ewing, Jorge Salmeron, and O’Neal Taylor Jr. — reflect the continued investment in the pathway.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview
Columbus’s total cap allocations stand at $21,679,770, ranked 12th in MLS, reflecting the club’s investment in a competitive roster. The Designated Player slots are occupied by Wessam Abou Ali, Diego Rossi (now departed), and Dániel Gazdag, with Brais Méndez’s arrival expected to fill one of the vacated slots. The departures of Cucho Hernández, Diego Rossi, and other core figures generated significant funds, providing financial flexibility for the rebuild.
Contract Red Alerts
Securing the long-term futures of key performers like Patrick Schulte and Taha Habroune will be a priority. Schulte’s contract expires in 2027, and his performances have inevitably attracted attention. Habroune’s contract runs through 2027, and his development trajectory suggests significant interest in future windows.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch
Taha Habroune (#16) has been the academy’s breakout star this season, contributing two goals and five assists in 30 appearances. Chase Adams (#46) has earned first-team opportunities after a standout 2025 with Crew 2, while Immanuel Ewing, Jorge Salmeron, and O’Neal Taylor Jr. have signed MLS NEXT Pro contracts following productive academy seasons.
Notable Out on Loan
Hugo Picard and Nariman Akhundzada are among the young players gaining senior experience elsewhere, with the club’s loan strategy focused on preparing academy graduates and high-potential signings for eventual first-team integration.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Brais Méndez (First Choice) / Jamal Thiaré (Second Choice).
Direct Free-Kicks: Brais Méndez / Dylan Chambost.
Corners & Crosses: Dylan Chambost / Malte Amundsen.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Columbus Crew enters the final stretch of the 2026/27 campaign as a club in transition, navigating the departure of the core that delivered historic success while attempting to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving MLS landscape. The early-season evidence has been sobering: 6 wins from 25 matches, a negative goal difference, and a 27th-place standing that reflects the scale of the rebuild.
The attacking output has been the primary concern, with Cucho Hernández’s mid-season departure to Real Betis removing the club’s most potent goal threat. Brais Méndez’s arrival provides a creative focal point, but the supporting cast has struggled for consistency. Wessam Abou Ali’s season-ending injury has further depleted the attacking options, leaving Thiaré and the emerging academy talents to carry the burden.
The defensive record remains the most pressing issue. Conceding 42 goals in 25 matches reflects a structural vulnerability that Courtois must address urgently. Zawadzki’s consistency and Moreira’s experience provide a foundation, but the unit as a whole has struggled against the pace and movement of MLS attacks.
But the ingredients for recovery are present. The academy pipeline continues to produce first-team contributors, with Habroune, Adams, and Ewing representing the next generation. The permanent signing of Herrera provides stability at right-back. Méndez’s quality offers hope of an attacking revival. And Courtois’s familiarity with the club’s philosophy ensures continuity of identity even amid significant personnel change.
The road ahead is unforgiving. The playoff race may be beyond reach this season, but the final stretch offers an opportunity to build momentum for 2027. The Crew’s supporters, who have witnessed three MLS Cups and a Leagues Cup triumph in recent years, understand that rebuilding requires patience. The foundation remains secure, the academy continues to deliver, and the ambition remains undiminished. The challenge is making it all work together once again.
