“I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’ And when good soccer happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.” – Eduardo Galeano, Soccer in Sun and Shadow
And so I love Wilfried Nancy’s Columbus Crew. I love that they went to Tigres, gave up an early goal, laughed and said “Who cares?” and just kept knocking the ball around ’til they found an equalizer. I love that they did the same thing a month later at Monterrey – except this time they didn’t stop with an equalizer. This time they were sharp enough to pour in two more. They beat the brakes off the one LIGA MX side (5-2 on aggregate!) that’s claimed more MLS victims than anybody over the past two decades. And they did it by using the ball and controlling the whole game with it.
I go into every match I watch in desperate need of ‘a pretty move, for the love of God.’ The Crew didn’t just give that to me every now and then; they gave that to me every single game, even against the best teams on the continent, even in the games with the highest stakes, and even when the game state said Columbus should be anything but expansive and ambitious with the ball. It got to the point where I did give a damn which team was doing it. They had won my affection and sparked a genuine rooting interest. I wanted them to be rewarded for their commitment to beautiful soccer.
They sparked joy in a way few MLS teams – 2019 LAFC, 2010 RSL, 2001 Miami, 1998 D.C. United – have managed in the past.
- They got to the CCC final and failed for reasons that might’ve been beyond their control.
- They pulled the come-from-behind trick in Campeones Cup vs. Club América, but this time couldn’t win the PK shootout.
- They lost the biggest regular-season game of the year to seal second place in the Shield race.
- They ran out of gas against a dogged, opportunistic and well-prepared RBNY team in the playoffs.
They were, in short, constantly one match-winner away.
Two trophies in two years when you’re playing for the right to be mentioned first or second in “Who’s the best MLS team of all time?” arguments? That’s disappointing.
I love the fact that they sold Aidan Morris mid-season and just replaced him with another academy product in Sean Zawadzki. It’s not that they were afraid to invest – they bolstered the squad with five acquisitions in the summer window – it’s that Nancy isn’t beholden to any perceived hierarchy in who’s going to play and who’s going to sit.
But, as was the case with both Morris’s sale and Nancy’s Montréal side, success will breed overseas interest in the club’s best players. Will Patrick Schulte be next out the door? What if there’s an offer for Max Arfsten? Or Cucho Hernández?
And then there’s the man himself: have we seen the last of Nancy with the Crew? By all accounts, he loves it there, and the instability of Ligue 1 isn’t exactly a siren’s song at this point. A manager as good as Nancy is going to eventually attract a godfather offer.
- Cucho Hernández (FW/AM): I thought he was the best player in the league this year and voted him MVP. If the Crew get a $20 million offer, though…
- Diego Rossi (LW/AM): An elite MLS player whose on-ball juice is surpassed by few, and whose off-ball work is surpassed by none. Just a perfect sidekick.
- Steven Moreira (RCB): Would things have been different vs. the Red Bulls if he wasn’t carrying that injury? Maybe. Regardless, he deservedly won Defender of the Year.
- Darlington Nagbe (DM): Still as secure on the ball as ever, though he’s solidly in his mid-30s now, they’ve got to buy him more rest in 2025.
- Patrick Schulte (GK): One of the true developmental wins of the past few years. It wouldn’t be a shock if he was sold this offseason.
If Nancy sticks around and Cucho sticks around, then I have no worries about what 2025 will bring. I’d expect big steps forward from the guys they acquired in the summer window, as well as improvement from first-time starters like Arfsten and Zawadzki. I also see some built-in failsafes should cornerstones Christian Ramírez and Rudy Camacho, both now in their mid-30s, suddenly get old.
Now the Crew have, at minimum, two U22 slots to use (three if they part ways with Hinestroza). They could also potentially add another DP, as they have the ability to open up a slot by buying down Nagbe.
When Toronto FC got so, so close in 2016 – one match-winner away – they responded in that offseason by going out and bringing in Victor Vázquez. In the 2017 MLS Cup he was, indeed, a match-winner. And across that season they weren’t just the best MLS team of all time: they became the most successful MLS team of all time. And they are, to date, the only MLS club to do a domestic treble.
That’s got to be the goal for Crew ownership and CSO Issa Tall this offseason. One more piece. One more year. One more chance to win everything. For the love of god, and the beautiful game.
**Interview with Soccer Analyst and Historian, Jamie Rivers**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Jamie. Your piece on the Columbus Crew has really resonated with fans. You reference Eduardo Galeano’s appreciation for beautiful soccer. Can you elaborate on what “a pretty move” means in the modern game?
**Jamie Rivers:** Absolutely! A “pretty move” is about creativity, flair, and skill on the pitch. It’s that moment when a player executes a brilliant dribble, a perfectly-timed pass, or a breathtaking goal. It represents the artistry of soccer, which in many ways is what fans crave. The Columbus Crew, under Wilfried Nancy, have embraced this ethos beautifully.
**Editor:** You’ve mentioned the Crew’s resilience, especially in high-stakes matches. What stands out to you about their approach?
**Jamie Rivers:** Their mentality is refreshing. They faced tough opponents like Tigres and Monterrey and didn’t shy away from taking risks. Rather than adopting a defensive mindset after conceding a goal, they maintained their attacking philosophy. It’s a testament to their confidence and Nancy’s belief in playing bold, expansive soccer. This positivity resonates with fans who want to see their team compete at the highest level, regardless of the odds.
**Editor:** Despite their beautiful style of play, you note that trophies have been elusive. Why do you think that is?
**Jamie Rivers:** It’s a tough break for them. Success in knockout tournaments often comes down to a single crucial moment or match-winner. The Crew have often found themselves just short in key moments, whether it’s a missed penalty shootout or running out of steam in playoffs. You can be the most beautiful team on the pitch, but at the end of the day, it’s about putting points on the board when it counts.
**Editor:** Moving forward, the potential for player transfers raises questions. You touched on core players potentially leaving. How do you see that affecting the team’s future?
**Jamie Rivers:** That’s the tricky balance for any successful MLS team. The better you perform, the more likely you’ll attract interest in your star players. If Cucho Hernández or other key figures get lucrative offers, it can disrupt the squad. However, Nancy’s track record of developing young talent could help alleviate some of those losses. He’s shown he’s not afraid to pull academy players into the first team, which is huge for sustainability.
**Editor:** Lastly, do you believe Wilfried Nancy is likely to stay with the Crew, or could we see him making a move overseas soon?
**Jamie Rivers:** It’s tough to say. Nancy has established a wonderful culture in Columbus, but exceptional managers always attract interest, particularly from leagues like Ligue 1. Right now, it seems he enjoys his time in Columbus, especially given the uncertainties in Europe. However, if the right opportunity presents itself, you never know. The situation will be something to watch closely.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jamie. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the deeper narratives of soccer with you. Let’s hope we see more of those “pretty moves” from the Crew this season!
**Jamie Rivers:** Thank you for having me! Here’s to a thrilling season ahead.
