2026 Crew Roster Thread

Discussion in 'Columbus Crew' started by TrueCrew, Nov 9, 2025.

  1. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    OK, the 2025 season has come to a disappointing end. Cucho gone right before the start. Morris never replaced. Camacho 1 appearance. An unused U22 spot. Ali hurt at the end. And Nagbe's retirement.

    I am not optimistic on the willingness of the Haslam's to buyout Gazdag or spend to build a roster that can challenge for trophies.

    Nor am I optimistic on the ability of Tall/Nancy to identify and recruit players that will excel here.

    We'll see. We have some good pieces. But lack high end quality.

    I had the complete 2026 roster post done but Big Soccer ate it & I do not the energy to go again. So....

    Short Version.

    I. Under Contract (17)
    A. Senior (12)

    Rossi (DP), Ali (DP, INT#1), Gazdag (DP), Schulte, Herrera (INT#2), Cheberko (INT#3), Picard (U22, INT#4), Chambost, Amundsen, Farsi (INT#5), Zawadzki, Arfsten.
    B. Supplemental 21-24/Vet Min (1)
    Hagen
    C. Supplemental/Reserve (4)
    Habroune, Brown, Mrowka, Lapkes
    --------------------------
    II. Pending Club Options (7)
    A. Senior (4)

    Moreira, Lappalainen (INT), Aliyu (U22), Jones
    B. Supplemental/Vet Min (1)
    Sejdic
    C. Supplemental/Reserve (2)
    JRR, Ruvalcaba
    -----------------------
    III. Out of Contract (3)
    A. Senior (1):
    Camacho (INT)
    B. Supp/Vet Min (2): Bush, Romero
    C. Supp/Reserve (0): None
    --------------
    IV. Departures (1)
    Nagbe (retired) (GOAT).
    ----------------
     
  2. kgilbert78

    kgilbert78 Member+

    Borussia Mönchengladbach
    United States
    Dec 28, 2006
    Cowlumbus, OH
    Club:
    Borussia Mönchengladbach
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'd expect Jones is essentially gone too. Unless being under "double secret probation" keeps you on the roster somehow.
     
  3. TRUJDUB21

    TRUJDUB21 Member+

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    Sep 28, 2021
    Goalkeepers 3
    Patrick Schulte 27, 28O
    Nicholas Hagen - 26, 27-28O
    Stas Lapkes 27,28-29O

    Defenders 8
    Tristan Brown 28,29-30 0
    Mo Farsi 27,28O
    Steven Moreira, 25,26O
    Sean Zawadzki, 27
    Malte Amundsen 27
    Yehven Cheberko 26 (26 June , O for full yr)
    Andrés Herrera 26 June (parent club 27,28O)
    Cesar Ruvalcaba 25, 26-27 O


    Midfielders : 7
    Derrick Jones 25,26O
    Taha Harbourne 27,28O
    Cole Mrowka 26,28O (Loan)
    Max Arfsten 27,280
    Dylan Chambost 26,27O
    Lassi Lappalainen 25,26O
    Amar Sejdić 25,26O

    Forwards/ attacking midfielders 6
    Diego Rossi 26,27 O
    Jacen Russell-Rowe 25,26O
    Dániel Gazdag 27,28O
    Ibrahim Aliyu 25, 26-27 O
    Hugo Picard 28,29O
    Abou Ali 27,28O

    Key:
    Player -contract expires, option years (O)

    Out of Contract
    Rudy Camacho
    Abraham Romero
    Evan Bush-

    Option we could decline:
    Ibrahim Aliyu
    Jacen Russell-Rowe
    Amar Sejdić
    Lassi Lappalainen
    Derrick Jones
    Cesar Ruvalcaba
    Steven Moreira


    GK:Bush unless he retires will likely sign a 1yr deal . If Bush retires I would hope we get a veteran sweeper keeper. But maybe we just give Romero a 1yr deal.

    Def: I think we would bring all 8 back. We need to add a CB. I want and most of us want a quality starter. I think they View Zawadzki as that long term answer in the middle. So you definitely need to add someone good who can be at least a rotational starter. I would be shocked if Camacho came back on a new deal but I guess we will see what the FO actually thinks.

    Midfielders : Jones has to be declined. Taha is more of attacking midfielder than a 8. Chambost is a 8. Sedjic is an even more underwhelming 8. We need a quality 6 and a young upcoming 6. This is critical because Morris & Nagbe were special and we need to find great midfielders if we want to be a top 4 club. It’s our absolutely biggest need. I’d like to get Berhalter and send Sedjic packing. I wouldn’t mind Artur for the right price. But it’s doubtful we bring in either former Crew midfielder. But we got to get this right and Gazdag is not a 8 and just doesn’t fit what we do so it’s really just a huge mystery. If we add nobody until Summer you really should expect us to leak more goals.

    Forwards/Attacking midfielders
    I don’t see us adding anyone and unless we decline JRR or Aliyu it will be the same strikers and I’m ok with that . Gazdag being shipped out for a new DP isn’t likely to happen but if it did it would be in the summer.
     
  4. jerrlcfc

    jerrlcfc Member

    Leicester City
    Dec 18, 2024
    Columbus, Ohio
    JRR needs to get gone. This is all that I need to say once more.
     
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  5. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I disagree. He isn't even a senior roster player, costs zero vs the cap, and just led us in playoff productivity with 2 G & 1 A despite not starting either match.

    Should he start? Obviously not. But 9 goals is good production from a Supplemental roster spot.
     
  6. jerrlcfc

    jerrlcfc Member

    Leicester City
    Dec 18, 2024
    Columbus, Ohio
    If he is to stay, he should never come off the bench until the 80th minute.
     
  7. porchlight

    porchlight Member+

    Jul 27, 2013
    Crawlumbus
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    How long will Nancy stay? This team needs a GM that can find players. This team barely made the playoffs. Our quality players are being replaced with jackalopes.The Middle Ages were brighter.
     
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  8. eboe

    eboe Member+

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    May 23, 2006
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We do need for Ali to spend a preseason with the team and full training etc. He got here and was injured almost right away. But we do need to replace some positions.
     
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  9. eboe

    eboe Member+

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    May 23, 2006
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Honestly, I think we should get Morris back from Boro to take over the spot that has a Darlington-sized hole.
     
  10. kgilbert78

    kgilbert78 Member+

    Borussia Mönchengladbach
    United States
    Dec 28, 2006
    Cowlumbus, OH
    Club:
    Borussia Mönchengladbach
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    How? Why would he want to come back now?
     
  11. Paul171121

    Paul171121 Member+

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    Dec 14, 2018
    Morris is one of the best midfielders in the champo. He had one or two mid games recently, but when he's on, he looks a step above his teammates besides Hackney who is also a top player. (I watch 50% of boro's games.)
     
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  12. Paul171121

    Paul171121 Member+

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    Dec 14, 2018
    Doyle was on soccerwise. Both he and Tom agree Gazdag should be gone, but they arent sure the Crew will buy him out.

    They really want us to go after eneli who didnt get consistent minutes this year. Eneli can play multiple positions and is a crew academy grad, who left because he was worried about the team moving.
     
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  13. Bill Archer

    Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 19, 2002
    Washington, NC
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think so too.

    Unfortunately, I can't think of a single reason why he would.
     
  14. Crew Chuck35

    Crew Chuck35 Member+

    Apr 13, 2009
    Gahanna, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I can think of millions and millions of reasons why.
     
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  15. kgilbert78

    kgilbert78 Member+

    Borussia Mönchengladbach
    United States
    Dec 28, 2006
    Cowlumbus, OH
    Club:
    Borussia Mönchengladbach
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's not always about money. But, he'll probably, almost certainly, make more in Europe.
     
  16. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Likely gone to Celtic, yes?

    Rumor has it their top target isn't available until December. I cannot imagine who else it could be besides an MLS coach.

    Now, if he wants to go, that is another thing. But my guess is he's gone. I wouldn't stick around. Would you?
     
  17. Kyle Crew

    Kyle Crew Member+

    Feb 23, 2013
    Columbus, Ohio
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    There's a dude in Norway they also like.
     
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  18. Minnman

    Minnman Member+

    Feb 11, 2000
    Columbus, OH, USA
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
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  19. Kyle Crew

    Kyle Crew Member+

    Feb 23, 2013
    Columbus, Ohio
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Cristian Espinoza is a free agent. SJ didn't pick up his option.

    Issa better be on the phone ASAP. Right winger that can play attacking wingback.
     
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  20. TKyle

    TKyle Moderator
    Staff Member

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    Dec 28, 2014
    Nordecke’s Porch
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I’d take Espinosa in a heartbeat.
     
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  21. TRUJDUB21

    TRUJDUB21 Member+

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    Sep 28, 2021
    Not really a postion of need unless Farsi and or Herrera are leaving.
     
  22. eboe

    eboe Member+

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    May 23, 2006
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Because he loves us and knows we need him, and we back up a Brinks truck. I just meant it would be nice. I didn't say he would want to.
     
  23. TrueCrew

    TrueCrew Member+

    Dec 22, 2003
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    A fine player but I just think we have more pressing needs:
    1) Gazdag/3rd DP resolution
    2) CM: Nagbe gone + depth
    3) CB: Camacho replacement + RCB depth

    Heck, a 3rd CF would also be nice. No reason you have to go in order, though.
     
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  24. jerrlcfc

    jerrlcfc Member

    Leicester City
    Dec 18, 2024
    Columbus, Ohio
    Morris is a number 8, not a number 6.

    And Boro could very well go up this season
     

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