Soccer <\/p>\n
Over a 10-day stretch in February, the Columbus Crew<\/a>\u2019s start-of-season outlook took a major turn.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Star forward Cucho Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a> was transferred to LaLiga side Real Betis for a reported club-record fee, and striker Christian Ram\u00edrez<\/a> was traded to the LA Galaxy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Two key pieces from Columbus\u2019 MLS Cup 2023<\/a> and Leagues Cup 2024<\/a>-winning sides were gone in a flash. Only Diego Rossi<\/a>, the third piece of the attacking trident, would remain.<\/p>\n While alarm bells started ringing, the Crew enter a Matchday 5 home test vs. New York City FC<\/a> as one of the league\u2019s seven remaining undefeated teams (7:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u201cYou gut the attack that got you the best season in club history and you\u2019re still undefeated? That is Wilfried Nancy\u2019s legacy right there,\u201d Andrew Wiebe said on This is MLS<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n As impactful as the 2024 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year is, the fact remains: Columbus have roster flexibility to make high-impact additions.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the smallest squad in the entire league right now, so if I\u2019m looking at the Columbus Crew, they\u2019re still themselves,\u201d Wiebe said. \u201cWhat they\u2019re lacking is punch up top and that can change quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking to folks in that front office, the reason why they went with the Designated Player model and not the U22 Initiative model and the additional GAM, is they want to have open spots to bring in at least one hopefully, maybe even two DPs, in this window that ends on April 23. Those spots are open. The gunpowder is ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Wiebe feels the roster\u2019s current state puts outsized pressure on the wingbacks to create chances. That will be challenged this weekend against NYCFC, with Mo Farsi<\/a> (Algeria) and Max Arfsten<\/a> (USA) away on international duty.<\/p>\n But with resources available and positive early-season results, the Crew remain firmly among the contenders.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve got to get some signings in,\u201d Wiebe said. \u201cBut if you\u2019re looking for a team to build over the course of the season to maybe get back to their best, even while losing big pieces, the Crew are absolutely that team.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are looking to fill those Designated Player spots right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n