2023 Columbus Crew season

The 2023 Columbus Crew season was the club's twenty-eighth season of existence and their twenty-eighth consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of soccer in the United States. The first match of the season was on February 25 against the Philadelphia Union. It was the first season under head coach Wilfried Nancy.

Columbus Crew
2023 season
Investor-operatorsDee and Jimmy Haslam
JW and Whitney Johnson
Dr. Pete Edwards
Head coachWilfried Nancy
StadiumLower.com Field
Major League SoccerConference: 3rd
Overall: 3rd
MLS Cup PlayoffsChampions
U.S. Open CupRound of 16
Leagues CupRound of 32
Highest home attendance20,730 (8/20 v. CIN)
Lowest home attendance19,249 (3/25 v. ATL)
Average home league attendance20,314[1]
Biggest winCLB 6–1 ATL (3/25)
Biggest defeatPHI 4–1 CLB (2/25)
← 2022
2024 →

The Crew won the MLS Cup against Los Angeles FC, their third league championship and second since 2020.[2]

Roster edit

As of 5 September 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
2DF  USAPhilip Quinton
3DF  USAJosh Williams
4DF  FRARudy Camacho
6MF  USADarlington Nagbe
7DF  USAJulian Gressel
8MF  USAAidan Morris
9FW  COLCucho Hernández
10FW  URUDiego Rossi
12DF  ECUGustavo Vallecilla (on loan from Colorado Rapids)
13FW  TRIKevin Molino
14MF  GHAYaw Yeboah
16MF  USAIsaiah Parente
17FW  USAChristian Ramirez
No.Pos. NationPlayer
18DF  DENMalte Amundsen
19FW  CANJacen Russell-Rowe
20FW  ROUAlexandru Mățan
21DF  UKRYevhen Cheberko
23DF  CANMohamed Farsi
24GK  USAEvan Bush
25MF  USASean Zawadzki
27FW  USAMaximilian Arfsten
28GK  USAPatrick Schulte
30MF  USAWill Sands
31DF  CPVSteven Moreira
32GK  USABrady Scott
94DF  COLJimmy Medranda

Out on loan edit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
22DF  USAKeegan Hughes (at FC Tulsa until November 12, 2023)
33DF  USAJake Morris (at Loudoun United FC until November 12, 2023)

Non-competitive edit

Preseason edit

February 4 Columbus Crew v Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Columbus, OH
SourceStadium: Historic Crew Stadium
Note: Closed-door; four 30-minute halves played; no scores released
February 11 Inter Miami CF v Columbus Crew Fort Lauderdale, FL
SourceStadium: Florida Blue Training Center
Note: Closed-door; score not released
February 15 Columbus Crew 1–1 Houston Dynamo Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hernández ReportBaird pen.'
Note: Closed-door
February 18 Columbus Crew 2–1 Hartford Athletic Fort Lauderdale, FL
Report
Note: Closed-door; goalscoring information not released

Competitive edit

MLS edit

Standings edit

Eastern Conference edit
MLS Eastern Conference table (2023)
PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1FC Cincinnati3420595739+1869Qualification for Round One and the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One
2Orlando City SC3418795539+1663Qualification for Round One
3Columbus Crew3416996746+2157
4Philadelphia Union34159105741+1655
5New England Revolution34159105846+1255
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Overall table edit
Overall MLS standings table
PosTeamPldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1FC Cincinnati (S)3420595739+1869Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One[a]
2Orlando City SC3418795539+1663Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One[b]
3Columbus Crew (C)3416996746+2157Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16[c]
4St. Louis City SC34171256245+1756Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One[d]
5Philadelphia Union34159105741+1655Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One[e]
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
(C) MLS Cup champion; (S) Supporters' Shield winner
Notes:
  1. ^ As 2023 MLS Supporters' Shield champions
  2. ^ As highest-ranked club in 2023 MLS Supporters' Shield not already qualified
  3. ^ As 2023 MLS Cup champions
  4. ^ As 2023 Western Conference regular season champions
  5. ^ As 2023 Leagues Cup third place

Results summary edit

OverallHomeAway
PldPtsWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGD
345716996746 +2112144114 +274852632 −6

Source: MLS standings
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Results by round edit

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
StadiumAHAAHHAHAHHHAAHHAAHHAHAHHAAAHAHAAH
ResultLWDLWWWDLLDWLLWWWDWWDDLWWLWLWDDWDW
Source: Columbus schedule
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Match results edit

February 25 1 Philadelphia Union 4–1 Columbus Crew Chester, PA
7:30 ESTGazdag 45+3' (pen.) 72' (pen.)
Carranza 52' 80'
ReportGlesnes 28' (o.g.)Stadium: Subaru Park
Attendance: 18,510
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
March 4 2 Columbus Crew 2–0 D.C. United Columbus, OH
7:30 ESTZelarayán 10' 44'ReportStadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,391
Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
March 11 3 Toronto FC 1–1 Columbus Crew Toronto, ON
7:30 ESTKerr 25'ReportMedranda 75'Stadium: BMO Field
Attendance: 25,796
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
March 18 4 New York Red Bulls 2–1 Columbus Crew Harrison, NJ
7:30 EDTLuquinhas 58'
Vanzeir 86'
ReportMățan 33'Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 15,412
Referee: Timothy Ford
March 25 5 Columbus Crew 6–1 Atlanta United FC Columbus, OH
7:30 EDTA. Morris 14'
Ramirez 47' 64'
Quinton 51'
Russell-Rowe 68'
Arfsten 90+1'
ReportLennon 71'Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 19,249
Referee: Ramy Touchan
April 1 6 Columbus Crew 4–0 Real Salt Lake Columbus, OH
7:30 EDTA. Morris 14' 53'
Zelarayán 41' (pen.)
Yeboah 90+3'
ReportStadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 19,624
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
April 8 7 D.C. United 0–2 Columbus Crew Washington, DC
7:30 EDTReportZelarayán 39' (pen.)
Ramirez 47'
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 16,891
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
April 22 9 Charlotte FC 1–0 Columbus Crew Charlotte, NC
7:30 EDTŚwiderski 37'ReportStadium: Bank of America Stadium
Attendance: 30,468
Referee: Jon Freemon
April 29 10 Columbus Crew 1–2 Inter Miami CF Columbus, OH
7:30 EDTHernández 10'ReportCampana 7', 41'Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,410
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
May 13 11 Columbus Crew 2–2 Orlando City SC Columbus, OH
7:30 EDT
Report
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,488
Referee: Drew Fischer
May 17 12 Columbus Crew 2–0 LA Galaxy Columbus, OH
7:30 EDTReport
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,192
Referee: Ted Unkel
May 20 13 FC Cincinnati 3–2 Columbus Crew Cincinnati, OH
7:30 EDT
Report
Stadium: TQL Stadium
Attendance: 25,513
Referee: Nima
May 28 14 Nashville SC 3–1 Columbus Crew Nashville, TN
8:30 EDTMcCarty  19'
Picault 56'
Moore  60'
Godoy  77'
Bunbury 80'
Mukhtar 90+7'
ReportYeboah 2'
Vallecilla  5'
Morris  90'
Stadium: Geodis Park
Attendance: 30,109
Referee: Victor Rivas
May 31 15 Columbus Crew 3–2 Colorado Rapids Columbus, OH
7:30 EDTZelarayán 37'
Zawadzki 62'
Hernández 72'
Schulte  86'
ReportNicholson 9'
Bombito  74'
Bassett 90+5'
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,223
Referee: Tori Penso
June 3 16 Columbus Crew 4–2 Charlotte FC Columbus, OH
7:30 EDTRamírez 5', 59'
Arfsten 21'
Hernández 43',  86'
ReportSobociński  39'
Świderski 56'
Meram 58'
Byrne  78'
Jones  84'
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,199
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
June 10 17 Chicago Fire FC 1–2 Columbus Crew Chicago, IL
8:30 EDT
Report
Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 18,892
Referee: Mark Allatin
June 17 18 New York City FC 1–1 Columbus Crew New York, NY
3:30 EDT
ReportStadium: Yankee Stadium
Attendance: 30,615
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
June 24 19 Columbus Crew 2–0 Nashville SC Columbus, OH
7:30 EDT
Report
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,443
Referee: Filip Dujic
July 1 20 Columbus Crew 2–1 New York Red Bulls Columbus, OH
7:30 EDTReport
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,415
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
July 4 21 Inter Miami CF 2–2 Columbus Crew Fort Lauderdale, FL
7:30 EDTReport
Stadium: DRV PNK Stadium
Attendance: 14,072
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
July 8 22 Columbus Crew 1–1 New York City FC Columbus, OH
7:30 EDT
Report
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,533
Referee: Sergii Boiko
July 15 23 Portland Timbers 3–2 Columbus Crew Portland, OR
10:30 am EDT
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 24,181
Referee: Timothy Ford
August 20 24 Columbus Crew 3–0 FC Cincinnati Columbus, OH
7:30 EDTReport
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,730
Referee: Ted Unkel
August 26 25 Columbus Crew 2–0 Toronto FC Columbus, OH
7:30 EDTReport
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,548
Referee: Elton García
August 30 26 Houston Dynamo FC 2–0 Columbus Crew Houston, TX
8:30 EDTReport
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
Attendance: 10,873
Referee: Jair Marrufo
September 2 27 CF Montreal 2–4 Columbus Crew Montreal, QC
7:30 EDT
Report
Stadium: Saputo Stadium
Attendance: 18,358
Referee: Filip Dujic
September 16 28 Orlando City SC 4–3 Columbus Crew Orlando, FL
7:30 EDT
ReportStadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 22,802
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
September 20 29 Columbus Crew 3–0 Chicago Fire FC Columbus, OH
7:30 EDT
Report
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,349
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
September 23 30 FC Dallas 1–1 Columbus Crew Frisco, TX
8:30 EDTReport
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 17,948
Referee: Tori Penso
September 30 31 Columbus Crew 1–1 Philadelphia Union Columbus, OH
7:30 EDT
Report
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,456
Referee: Jon Freemon
October 4 32 New England Revolution 1–2 Columbus Crew Foxborough, MA
7:30 EDT
Report
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 14,144
Referee: Alexis Da Silva
October 7 33 Atlanta United FC 1–1 Columbus Crew Atlanta, GA
7:30 EDT
ReportStadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Attendance: 42,684
Referee: Ismail Elfath
October 21 34 Columbus Crew 2–1 CF Montreal Columbus, OH
6:00 EDTReport
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,526
Referee: Drew Fischer

MLS Cup Playoffs edit

Round One edit

November 1 Match 1 Columbus Crew 2–0 Atlanta United FC Columbus, OH
7:30 pm ET
Report
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,176
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
November 7 Match 2 Atlanta United FC 4–2 Columbus Crew Atlanta, GA
7:00 pm ET
Report
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Attendance: 41,850
Referee: Chris Penso
November 12 Match 3 Columbus Crew 4–2 Atlanta United FC Columbus, OH
7:00 pm ET
Report
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,182
Referee: Armando Villarreal
Note: Columbus Crew won the series 2–1.

Conference Semifinals edit

November 25 Conference semifinals Orlando City SC 0–2 (a.e.t.) Columbus Crew Orlando, FL
5:30 pm ET
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 25,527
Referee: Jon Freemon

Conference Finals edit

December 2 Conference finals FC Cincinnati 2–3 (a.e.t.) Columbus Crew Cincinnati, Ohio
6:00 pm EST
Report
Stadium: TQL Stadium
Attendance: 25,513
Referee: Allen Chapman

MLS Cup 2023 edit

US Open Cup edit

Third round edit

v Indy Eleven (USLC)
April 26 Third Round Columbus Crew (MLS) 1–0 Indy Eleven (USLC) Columbus, OH
7:30 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
v Columbus Crew (MLS)
May 10 Round of 32 Loudoun United FC (USLC) 1–5 Columbus Crew (MLS) Leesburg, VA
7:00 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Segra Field
Attendance: 3,201
Referee: Luis Arroyo
v Columbus Crew (MLS)
May 24 Round of 16 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USLC) 1–0 Columbus Crew (MLS)Pittsburgh, PA
7:00 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Highmark Stadium
Attendance: 6,107
Referee: Jeremy Scheer

Leagues Cup edit

Group stage: Central 1 edit

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualification CLB CAM STL
1 Columbus Crew2200062+46Advance to knockout stage2–1
2 América2100154+131–44–0
3 St. Louis City SC2000216−50
Source: Leagues Cup
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
v St. Louis City SC
July 23 GS Columbus Crew 2–1 St. Louis City SC Columbus, OH
7:30 pm ET
Report
Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,533
Referee: Reon Radix
v Club América
July 31 GS Columbus Crew 4–1 Club América Columbus, OH
8:00 pm ET
ReportStadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 20,217
Referee: Fernando Guerrero Ramírez

Knockout stage edit

Transfers edit

In edit

Pos.PlayerTransferred fromFee/notesDateSource
DF Jimmy Medranda Seattle Sounders FCFree agent, contract runs through 2023 with an option for 2024December 23, 2022[3]
DF Keegan Hughes Stanford CardinalHomegrown player, contract runs through 2024 with options through 2026January 11, 2023[4]
FW Christian Ramirez Aberdeen F.C.Transfer for an undisclosed fee, contract runs through 2024 with an option for 2025January 19, 2023[5]
DF Philip Quinton Columbus Crew 2Signed from MLS Next Pro team, contract runs through 2023 with options through 2026February 8, 2023[6]
FW Maximilian Arfsten San Jose Earthquakes IISigned via the SuperDraft, contract runs through 2024 with options for 2025 and 2026February 21, 2023[7]
DF Malte Amundsen New York City FCTrade for $400,000 in general allocation money with a potential $100,000 in performance-based additions, contract runs through 2024 with an option for 2025April 25, 2023[8]
DF Yevhen Cheberko OsijekTransfer for an undisclosed fee, contract runs through 2026June 9, 2023[9]
DF Julian Gressel Vancouver Whitecaps FCTrade for $550,000 in general allocation money across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, including a conditional fee of $300,000July 21, 2023[10]
DF Rudy Camacho CF MontréalTrade for $400,000 in general allocation money total, $200,000 in 2023 and $200,000 in 2024July 31, 2023[11]
FW Diego Rossi FenerbahçeTransfer for $5,630,000 with a $1,000,000 bonus fee and a 15% sell-on clause, contract runs through 2026 with an option for 2027August 2, 2023[12]

Loan in edit

Pos.PlayerLoaned fromLength/NotesBeginningEndSource
DF Gustavo Vallecilla Colorado Rapids$175,000 in General Allocation Money, on loan through 2023 season with option to purchaseMarch 3, 2023December 9, 2023[13]

Out edit

Pos.PlayerTransferred toFee/notesDateSource
DF Jalil AnibabaRetiredOption declinedOctober 26, 2022[14]
FW Erik Hurtado San Antonio FCOption declinedOctober 26, 2022[14]
MF James Igbekeme Real ZaragozaOption declined, loan expiredOctober 26, 2022[14]
DF Pedro Santos D.C. UnitedOption declinedOctober 26, 2022[14]
MF Derrick Etienne Atlanta United FCOption declinedOctober 26, 2022[14]
DF Marlon HairstonOption declinedOctober 26, 2022[14]
DF Perry KitchenRetiredOption declinedOctober 26, 2022[14]
MF Artur Houston Dynamo FCTraded for $300,000 in General Allocation Money, and potentially an additional $50,000 if certain performance metrics are metNovember 22, 2022[15]
DF Jonathan Mensah San Jose EarthquakesTraded for $200,000 in General Allocation Money, and potentially an additional $300,000 if certain performance metrics are metFebruary 10, 2023[16]
GK Eloy Room VitesseMutual consent terminationJuly 17, 2023[17]
DF Miloš Degenek Red Star BelgradeTransfer for an undisclosed feeJuly 24, 2023[18]
MF Lucas Zelarayán Al Fateh SCUndisclosedJuly 31, 2023[19]
MF Luis Díaz Colorado RapidsWaivedSeptember 5, 2023[20]

Loans out edit

Pos.PlayerLoanee clubLength/NotesBeginningEndSource
DF Jake Morris Loudoun UnitedOn loan through the end of the 2023 seasonJune 27, 2023November 12, 2023[21]
DF Keegan Hughes FC TulsaOn loan through the end of the 2023 seasonAugust 4, 2023November 12, 2023[22]

References edit

  1. ^ Kennedy, Paul (October 22, 2023). "MLS breaks attendance record". Soccer America. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  2. ^ Mac Kay, Brianna (December 9, 2023). "Columbus Crew top LAFC to win franchise's third MLS Cup". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  3. ^ "Columbus Crew Signs Free Agent Defender Jimmy Medranda". www.columbuscrew.com. MLS. December 23, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Columbus Crew signs Crew Academy product and defender Keegan Hughes". columbuscrew.com. MLS. January 11, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Columbus Crew acquires forward Christian Ramirez from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen F.C." columbuscrew.com. MLS. January 19, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "Columbus Crew signs defender Philip Quinton to First Team contract". columbuscrew.com. MLS. February 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  7. ^ "Columbus Crew signs MLS SuperDraft pick Maximilian "Max" Arfsten". columbuscrew.com. MLS. February 21, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  8. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (April 25, 2023). "Columbus Crew acquire defender Malte Amundsen in trade with NYCFC". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  9. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (June 9, 2023). "Columbus Crew sign Ukrainian center back Yevhen Cheberko". mlssoccer.com. MLS. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  10. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 21, 2023). "Columbus Crew acquire Julian Gressel from Vancouver Whitecaps". mlssoccer.com. MLS. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  11. ^ Butler, Dylan (July 31, 2023). "Columbus Crew acquire Rudy Camacho from CF Montréal". mlssoccer.com. MLS. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "Columbus Crew acquire forward Diego Rossi as Designated Player". www.columbuscrew.com. MLS. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  13. ^ "Columbus Crew acquires Gustavo Vallecilla on loan from Colorado Rapids". columbuscrew.com. MLS. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "Columbus Crew announces end-of-2022 roster decisions". columbuscrew.com. MLS. October 26, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "Houston Dynamo FC acquire midfielder Artur in trade with Columbus Crew". houstondynamofc.com. MLS. November 22, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "Columbus Crew Acquires up to $500,000 in General Allocation Money from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for Jonathan Mensah". columbuscrew.com. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  17. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 17, 2023). "Columbus Crew, Eloy Room reach mutual contract termination". mlssoccer.com. MLS. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 24, 2023). "Columbus Crew transfer Miloš Degenek to Serbia's Red Star Belgrade". mlssoccer.com. MLS. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  19. ^ "Columbus Crew transfer Lucas Zelarayán to Saudi Pro League". columbuscrew.com. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  20. ^ "Columbus Crew waive midfielder Luis Díaz". mlssoccer.com. MLS. September 5, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  21. ^ "Loudoun United FC Sign Columbus Crew Defender Jake Morris on Loan". loudoununitedfc.com. SportsEngine. Inc. June 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  22. ^ Galbreath, Nolan (August 4, 2023). "FC Tulsa Adds Defender Keegan Hughes on Loan from Columbus Crew". fctulsa.com. SportsEngine. Inc. Retrieved October 27, 2023.