Columbus Crew 2026 Season Preview

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Major League Soccer

·16 février 2026

Columbus Crew 2026 Season Preview

By MLSsoccer staff

2026 Schedule

First game: Feb. 21 - 10:30 pm ET at Portland Timbers
Home opener: March 7 - 7:30 pm ET vs. Chicago Fire FC
Full schedule
Watch on Apple TV

Team Snapshot

Columbus enter a new era, with incoming head coach Henrik Rydström taking over from the departed Wilfried Nancy. Nancy led the Crew to MLS Cup 2023 and Leagues Cup 2024 titles, as well as the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup final.

Vidéos OneFootball

The Crew's on-the-field personnel will also look different after legendary club captain Darlington Nagbe retired. That leaves homegrown standout Sean Zawadzki poised for a bigger role, either in midfield or defense.

Left wingback Max Arfsten could start for the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Steven Moreira was a major part of Cape Verde's inspiring qualifying campaign. They're joined by the DP trio of Diego Rossi, Dániel Gazdag and Wessam Abou Ali.

Key Signings

Nariman Akhundzada: The Azerbaijani striker, who boasts UEFA Champions League experience with Qarabağ FK, arrives on a U22 Initiative deal.
Chase Adams: The US youth international striker joins the first team as a homegrown signing. Adams represented the United States at last year’s 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Sekou Bangoura: Bangoura arrives from Israel Premier League side Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona. The Guinea international midfielder had previous stints in Türkiye and Denmark.
Jamal Thiaré: Columbus added depth up top by acquiring Thiaré from Atlanta United.

Full roster

Welcome to the Black & Gold, Nariman Akhundzada 🇦🇿
– mardi 10 février 2026

Key Departures

Darlington Nagbe: The all-time MLS great called time on a career that included four MLS Cups, three All-Star selections and more than 500 games.
Lassi Lappalainen: The Finnish winger was limited to under 400 regular-season minutes during his lone year with the Crew.
Jacen Russell-Rowe: The Canadian international forward moved to French Ligue 1 side Toulouse FC after four years in Columbus.