The Crew is back in a World Cup year
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, formerly known as Lower.com Field. Photo: Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Major League Soccer returns this week, with the Crew aiming for a bounce-back season.
Why it matters: Soccer is in the spotlight with America hosting the World Cup this year, and Columbus has established itself as a perennial MLS contender.
State of play: It's a year of transition for the Crew starting Saturday night in Portland.
- The 2025 season ended in disappointment, after which beloved head coach Wilfried Nancy left for an ill-fated coaching stint in Scotland.
The intrigue: Nancy's replacement is Swedish manager Henrik Rydström, named the club's ninth head coach on New Year's Eve.
- Nancy was an idealist committed to attacking, aesthetically pleasing play regardless of situation or personnel.
- Rydström has suggested in early interviews that he'll bring a more pragmatic and flexible approach.
New faces expected to contribute include Portuguese midfielder André Gomes, young Azerbaijani attacker Nariman Akhundzada, Guinean international midfielder Sekou Bangoura and veteran striker Jamal Thiaré.
- More youth comes from a trio of homegrown players and two more prospects.
What else is new: Lower.com Field is now dubbed ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
- And there's a new yellow jersey.
Who's missing: The retirement of captain and all-time MLS legend Darlington Nagbe leaves a massive hole in the roster and the community — his leadership and consistency will be missed.
- Northeast Ohio native Sean Zawadzki takes the captain's armband.
What we're watching: The roster will otherwise look a lot like it did last year — Columbus is banking on consistency and better luck in 2026.
- Can midfielder Daniel Gazdag recover from a disastrous 2025? Can striker Wessam Abou Ali stay healthy? Can anyone fill Nagbe's shoes? The answers will determine the season.
🏟️ The five best home games of the season
The home opener is against an old rival and former head coach Gregg Berhalter.
- Some think Chicago could be sneaky competitive.
Minnesota was a playoff team, just signed a superstar and could become a new rival.
- Conference realignment as part of the 2027 calendar shift seems set to put Columbus and Minnesota together in a new Midwestern division.
It's the World Cup sendoff.
- Crew hopefuls for the tournament include Max Arfsten, Yevhen Cheberko, Mo Farsi, Steven Moreira, Patrick Schulte and Sean Zawadzki.
No surprise: This is the big one.
- Hell Is Real guarantees a raucous crowd and a fiery game.
Messi and the gang return to town.
- This one is in Columbus, not Cleveland.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include details of an additional player signing.