Columbus Crew’s Bold Moves May Come Back to Bite Them in the Midfield

The Columbus Crew, the reigning champions of last season’s Major League Soccer (MLS), looked like a team that didn’t need to shake things up. After all, they had already shown they were a force to be reckoned with, proving they had a squad that could win trophies. Yet, despite their strong standing, the Crew went ahead and made changes anyway.

At first glance, it might seem like a smart play. Every great champion knows that staying on top means evolving, adapting, and, yes, innovating. Bringing in players like DeJuan Jones and Andrés Herrera has given the team a fresh look, boosting the wings with a quality duo. These guys aren’t here to warm the bench—they’re here to compete for starting spots. That alone shows that the Crew is dead set on maintaining their dominance. But there’s a storm cloud hanging over Columbus: the departure of Aidan Morris.

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It’s not hard to see why this could become a real headache. Morris, one of the anchors of the midfield, left for Middlesbrough, and the Crew didn’t bring in anyone of his caliber to replace him. And that’s where the Crew might’ve made their fatal mistake. While the wings are bolstered, and the attack is getting new blood like Dylan Chambost—who’s looking to carve out a place in a dynamic, fluid offense—the midfield is left with a hole that’s going to be tough to fill.

Morris’ absence is more than just one less name on the roster. He was the engine in the midfield, a tireless workhorse who linked defense to attack. His ability to shield the backline while offering passing options and tactical organization made him indispensable. Now that he’s gone, the Crew is going to have to rely on internal solutions or hope that one of the new signings can reinvent themselves and take on the role.

The arrivals of DeJuan Jones and Andrés Herrera bring hope. Both come with solid credentials and, without a doubt, add value to the team. Jones, from the New England Revolution, is the type of player who combines physical strength with tactical smarts. He knows when to push forward and when to fall back to cover for the defense. Herrera, from River Plate, brings that fiery South American spirit, the grit that often makes the difference in crunch time. They’re big names who, on paper, will keep the Columbus Crew competitive.

But you can’t just replace a player like Morris with a rotating cast of athletes who will share the position. Still, the Crew seems willing to take that risk. Maybe they’re betting that Morris’ absence will be offset by the arrival of new attacking talent like Aziel Jackson, a young player who’s turning heads under coach Wilfried Nancy. Jackson is one of those kids who arrives with high expectations, and with the right development, he could be a game-changer. But putting all your chips on a young prospect is a risky gamble, especially when you’re dealing with a midfield starved for leadership.

Another name who might indirectly help fill that gap is Dylan Chambost, arriving from Saint-Étienne. He seems to fit well up front, but the question remains: can he help ease the pressure now facing the midfield? Well, that’s going to depend on how Nancy adjusts the pieces.

What makes this situation even trickier is that MLS, unlike other leagues, leaves very little room for error. If the Crew doesn’t quickly find the right balance between defense, midfield, and attack, they could lose their grip on the top spot. And speaking of decisions, head coach Wilfried Nancy now faces a massive dilemma. He’ll have to figure out how to tweak the machine so that it keeps running smoothly without stalling. Nancy’s already proven he’s a capable strategist, but will he have the creativity and skill to reorganize the squad in a way that compensates for the loss of their most important midfielder?