Lassi Lappalainen’s Columbus Crew move is the game changer no one saw coming | OneFootball

The Columbus Crew officially signed Finnish winger Lassi Lappalainen. He will serve through 2025, with an option for 2026. This signing merely adds to the already impressive squad of the side, led by Wilfried Nancy, but also brings in a player with vast experience and acclimation in the MLS, who is familiar with Nancy's game. The big question is whether Lappalainen is the missing piece to keep the Crew at the top.

Lappalainen, 26 years old, with six MLS seasons under his belt at CF Montréal, is very much known for his ability to adapt well into different roles in the attack. He has recorded 15 goals and 15 assists in over 99 regular-season games, which will not jump out but show his reliability in the system.

For Issa Tall, the Crew’s general manager, the Finnish player’s tactical flexibility stood out. “Lassi’s ability to play in multiple positions makes him a valuable addition to our group”, Tall said.

Reuniting with Wilfried Nancy

Lappalainen isn't going to a new environment. He had also served under Wilfried Nancy when CF Montréal had its greatest ever MLS season in 2022, scoring 65 points. Lappalainen was an understudy who, although not the man of the match, made all the difference for the team to keep things even.

This earlier association might work in favor of Columbus as Lappalainen is not likely to face much difficulty in adapting to the system of Crew from his past experience.

Depth to the team and international aspirations

Lappalainen arrives at a very strategic time for the Crew. Being the reigning Leagues Cup champions, the team has big tests ahead of them, starting with their first Concacaf Champions Cup appearance in March. Added to that is the MLS season, which will start in February against the Chicago Fire FC, and the roster must be prepared to handle the pressure of competing on multiple fronts.

Bringing another such player to the team would allow the team to rotate the entire squad without compromising the quality because Lappalainen can play even as a winger or drop a little deeper position to cover and remain in tactical balance throughout the season.