MLS · Eastern Conference · Columbus, Ohio, US · Lower.com Field
The original MLS club - the franchise that built the league's first soccer-specific stadium, survived a relocation scare through sheer fan willpower, and then won back-to-back MLS Cups to prove that the heartland of Ohio is as much sacred soccer ground as anywhere on the continent.
Updated March 16, 2026
The Crew were the class of MLS for much of 2024 and 2025, winning the Leagues Cup and pushing LA Galaxy to the wire in MLS Cup. Key departures, including the sale of Cucho Hernandez to Europe, have forced a retooling rather than a rebuild. Columbus' front office has a track record of finding undervalued talent, and the 2026 roster reflects that same shrewd approach.
Columbus posted one of the best home records in MLS last season and the culture at Lower.com Field has become a genuine competitive advantage. The Crew's pressing intensity at home, amplified by the tight stadium design and fervent supporters, makes every visiting team uncomfortable. Maintaining that fortress mentality with new personnel is priority one.
Swedish manager Henrik Rydstrom arrives from Malmo with two league titles on his resume, tasked with maintaining the Crew's championship standards after Wilfried Nancy departed for Celtic. Rydstrom has described his approach as evolution rather than revolution, building on the positional play foundation while adding his own wrinkles to account for roster turnover.