Expectations weren’t sky-high entering 2025. But Columbus Crew fans had reason to be optimistic about the team, under the steady leadership of Wilfried Nancy. Instead, what unfolded was a year that never quite lived up to its billing – a season defined less by failure on the field and more by hesitation and missteps off it.
Yes, the Crew secured a postseason berth, a testament to the team’s depth and tactical structure. But the air of disappointment surrounding this campaign is hard to ignore.
The Black & Gold limped through stretches of inconsistency, struggling to recapture the attacking swagger that made them so dangerous a year ago. They have only one win in the last eight matches. Much of that, many fans will argue, can be traced to a front office that simply acted too late.
When the 2025 transfer window opened, Columbus appeared paralyzed. Key reinforcements were identified, but negotiations dragged deep into the summer.
By the time new faces finally arrived, only a quarter of the season remained, chemistry was hard to build, and momentum had slipped. Players onboarded in August were still adjusting to Nancy’s demanding system while other playoff-bound clubs had long since found their stride. The result: too little, too late.
Right By Player, But Wrong for Columbus Crew Fans
Then there was the elephant in the room – the sale of Cucho Hernández to Real Betis.
The Colombian striker, a fan favorite and one of the league’s brightest stars, was sold to Real Betis in a high-profile transfer that made headlines across MLS. From a player’s perspective, the move made sense. Cucho had earned his shot at European football, and the Crew’s front office, to their credit, did right by him.
But while the club acted honorably for the individual, they left their supporters stranded. No replacement came.
Despite valiant efforts from Diego Rossi, the Crew lacked the edge in front of goal that separates contenders from pretenders. The attack often sputtered; the creativity dulled by an absence of that one player who could conjure something out of nothing. Matches that might have been won a season ago slipped away into draws or narrow defeats.
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The Savior
Then came the new savior, Wessam Abou Ali. He scored three goals in five games and gave the fans a ray of hope. That ray only lasted a moment as he is slated to miss the remainder of the regular season with a fractured foot.
The team’s identity remains clear, but its execution has fallen short all season. And as the playoff race has tightened, Columbus simply doesn’t have enough to go toe-to-toe with the league’s best.
Dejected Following
As the old saying goes, ‘anything can happen in the playoffs’ but the lack of optimism around the team speaks volumes. We will wait and see what happens to determine how the season will be remembered.
But the Crew fans are clear, the front office proved too cautious when boldness was required. They honored their star player’s ambitions but forgot their obligation to the fans who fill Lower.com Field week after week.
For a club built on connection, culture, and community, that disconnect is what hurts the most.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Newscom World
Recording Date: 13.06.2025