Johnny officially out for the world cup. Has always been more of a "what if" USMNT guy, though I do think a longer camp maybe would have brought more out of him. Bummed for him though, hope he recovers well.

My main positive takeaway from the Crew game today is that we never have to play in Yankee Stadium again. Other than that...it was pretty rough. #Crew96

Rough half for the Crew. Exposed again in transition, and lazy defending. Defense really needs addressed. Crew have talent, but not talent that can win or mitigate every phase of the game.

Immediately still see Arfsten on the right, and Picard on the left. Good! That arrangement has been working really well lately

Taking the Crew's graphic because they are not on Bluesky... An interesting lineup here with no Amundsen. Curious what the Crew do on the left. Herrera or Moreira likely at LB? Or could be Crew using 3 back formation, though I would be surprised by that!

The day after I posted my Gio Reyna video on other channels he scores... Still relevant though, a quick look into if the US should included on the US WC roster (quick answer: yes!) I'll have to do Pulisic video next just to try to get the same impact 🤣#USMNT

Watching Kei with the Crew was formative to me falling in love with soccer in Columbus. He was fun to love, and after everything went down just as fun to hate, but always entertaining to watch. The game is more fun when Kei is around, I will miss seeing him play!

Taha Habroune looks to be having a breakout year, and the Crew attack looks good from open play! But struggle on both offensive and defensive set pieces, which was ultimately their undoing against Minnesota United.

Glaring issue for the Crew is obviously set pieces, both defensively and offensively. Minnesota has excelled there in recent years, but giving up 3 set piece goals in one half is rough. Other things to fix, but Minnesota game should have been a win. #Crew96

Crew attack has actually been fairly impressive. Their goals come from good sequences, and they actually are top two in MLS at scoring from open play. But that is their only source of goals. They are scoring hard ones without supplementing from transition or set pieces #Crew96

Got a new video up looking deeper at Max Arfsten, his skillset, and how he does (or doesn't) fit with the US Men's National Team. I think it is an fun breakdown about what makes him a very unique attacker, and how his role has evolved under Henrik Rydström!

Big opportunity for improvement for the Crew is on Set Pieces...5th most corners taken in MLS while being only one of two teams without a Set Piece Goal still. Other is SKC, and no offense but you don't want to be compared to SKC in literally any stats right now. #Crew96

Hugo Picard was a menace, Chase Adams gets his first goal, and One Knoxville impressed despite falling to the Columbus Crew in the open cup. Check out my recap of the recent Open Cup game between the Columbus Crew and One Knoxville. First try wit ha recap like this, so let me know what you think!

Really fun to see the confidence Hugo Picard is playing with. I didn't want to read too much into the performance against Richmond, but it has been a good few weeks, and he was absolutely electric against Knox!

Max Arfsten playing as a right midfielder makes his position with the #USMNT more dubious. But I like him in an inverted role. He is one of the most two footed players in the pool, scoring 45% of his career goals with his right foot. Pulisic has also scored 45% with his weak foot

Despite a great week, I don't love how pragmatic the Crew have gotten holding a lead. I understand easing up a bit, but they had nearly no interest in scoring a third, & I fear that defending for 45 minutes is risky, exhausting for the players...and a bit boring at home. #Crew96

Good week for the Crew, with back to back wins against teams they should beat. Still a lot to improve on, there attack is a bit inconsistent and they are taking their foot off the gas more than I would like. But gaining confidence, while picking up 3 points is key #Crew96

During the Nancy years, I had wished to get a chance to see the Crew play against a team that would play the same crazy high line that they employed. Tonight Philadelphia has granted my wish #crew96

Feels like every game under Rydström has inverted Arfsten more and more. He has been significantly involved on both sides in the first half.

Crew not on Bluesky so forgive me for borrowing their graphic. This is a fun lineup though! Enough talent and experience to feel like we're taking it seriously, but with some newer and younger guys mixed in! Huge opportunity for Brown, maybe a chance to see Chase Adams?

A lot to like from the Crew last night, but more importantly positioning felt better. Moreira at right back, Herrera more forward and free to just be direct, and Malte Amundsen able to get forward. And most importantly Diego Rossi playing as an attacker… #crew96

Check out my goal breakdown for the Crew against Toronto. A lot to like in this goal, and while overall team performance kind of hangs over the head of this goal, there is still some fantastic work from of the Crew's non-DP players that is worth diving into!

Folks like @mattdoyle.bsky.social have been beating the drum about Rydström's use of Diego Rossi in the 4-4-2. And nothing I've found demonstrates the problem better than Rossi's touch map in the first half against Toronto, a half where the Crew generated only a single shot. #Crew96

The first two games of the Crew season were defined by defensive woes, and then their last two at home the offense disappeared. The role of Diego Rossi plays a big part in that, hope you enjoy my latest analysis! #MLS #crew96

Have a breakdown of Wessam Abou Ali's goal for the Columbus Crew against the Portland Timbers. Video is out a little late, and Crew have played another game. But I still think there are some really interesting elements to this goal! Hope folks find it interesting!

Check out my breakdown of Diego Rossi's goal for the Columbus Crew from this past weekend. Always open to thoughts/feedback, and suggestions of goals or moments across MLS or American soccer that are worth deeper analysis!