Reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew hope to book a spot in the League Cup final when they take on the Philadelphia Union at Lower.com Field.
Columbus hasn’t slowed down since his MLS Cup win in December under new manager Wilfried Nancy as the team are now on the brink of another final. The Crew came very close to lifting the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier this year, but were knocked out by Liga MX’s Pachuca, and the Eastern Conference side will be hoping to improve their chances of winning in 2024 with a win on Wednesday night.
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Nancy will look to stick with their preferred 3-4-2-1 formation which has seen the Crew become one of the best teams in the region with the likes of Diego Rossi and Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez in attack . Columbus looks a lot like a well-oiled machine when fit, and Nancy won’t want to make too many changes from the team that won against NYCFC.
This is how the crew could line up against the Union in the League Cup semifinals
GK: Patrick Schulte – The American international is making his second start between the sticks since returning from the Olympics.
CB: Steven Moreira – Moreira keeps his place in the Crew’s backline, blocking the right side of the defense.
CB: Rudy Camacho – Nancy’s right-hand man anchors the center of the defense and will be looking to put in a better performance after his late pass that led to New York’s first goal in the quarterfinals.
CB: Evgen Cheberko – Cheberko continues his run at left center with Malte Amundsen waiting for his chance if the opportunity presents itself.
RWB: Mohamed Farsi – The 24-year-old gets the night at right-back, looking to make another shift to lead the Crew to victory.
CM: Sean Zawadzki – The defender-turned-midfielder has been outstanding in the middle of the park alongside Nagbe, and will need to continue to impress to help Colom to silverware.
CM: Darlington Number – The Columbus captain anchors the midfield alongside Zawadzki, aiming to reach the final to add to his trophy cabinet.
LWB: DeJuan Jones – The former New England Revolution player has enjoyed a fairly smooth transition to life with the Crew as he approaches left back.
AM: Christian RamÃrez – The veteran forward will once again play as an attacking midfielder right behind Hernández.
AM: Diego Rossi – Rossi starts alongside Ramirez forming a triple threat attack that could make life difficult for the Union defense.
ST: Juan Hernandez – The Crew’s No.9 will aim to make it back-to-back one-goal games to give his side the best chance of reaching the League Cup final.
