The MLS arrives in less than 20 days. The preseason games are showing an exciting preview of what could be this season. However, Columbus Crew might think the opposite.
The team came from a rough month. Columbus Crew sold their best player and goalscorer to a European club. Maybe it is the worst decision the institution has made.
Last year, Cucho Hernandez was a vital player for Columbus. With him on the field, rivals developed new tactics just to stop him.
Adding Diego Rossi, the Crew had the most lethal offense in the MLS.
The Balck and Gold missed their star player, and the friendly match against Nashville SC proved it.
Columbus Crew 1-4 Nashville SC
Yes, just like you read. Nashville SC destroyed Columbus Crew in their friendly match. Columbus ended the friendly game with a few shots on target. And as the score indicates, with only one goal.
This wasn’t normal for the Black and Gold team last year. In the regular season, Columbus Crew was the second team with the most goals. The club averaged two goals per game in 2024.
Regardless, that was with Cucho on the field. The Colombian striker was responsible for 19 goals out of the 72. This means that Hernandez scored 26.39% of the Crew’s goals.
Not only was he the team’s goalscorer, but Cucho fought the MLS Golden Boot against Messi and Benteke until the last match.
Without him, Columbus Crew needs to find a striker fast because if this is how a friendly match went, I can’t imagine an actual MLS game.
Cucho Hernandez stats with the Black and Gold
The striker arrived at the Crew in 2022. Since then, he has played 94 games split over three seasons.
According to Transfermarkt, during his time at Columbus Crew, Cucho scored 58 goals and gave 26 assists. Last year, was Hernandez’s prime season with the team, he scored 23 goals in the MLS and Leagues Cup.
Also, he became the team’s MLS goalscorer in 2024 with 19 goals in 29 matches. Adding an MLS CUP in 2022/23 and a Leagues Cup trophy in 2024. Adding an MVP award last season.
