Columbus Crew

Last season ended painfully for Columbus when they missed out on a playoff spot with a 2-1 loss to direct rival Orlando on the final day of play, although a draw would have been enough to end the season on a high. With only 41 goals conceded (behind Philadelphia), they had the second-best defence in the Eastern Conference and also registered the second-fewest defeats with eight. But there was a downside, too, as they won only ten games and drew 16, the most of any of the 14 teams in the Eastern Division. Columbus will be led by newly appointed head coach Wilfried Nancy, who was previously manager of CF Montreal. Although the team failed to make the 2022 playoffs, the winter transfer window was relatively quiet, and no big names were brought in. Forward Christian Ramirez was one of the few additions Columbus made in the window, as he was signed on a free transfer from Aberdeen. The team struggled in attack last season, finishing only tenth among the 14 teams for goals scored, with Cucho Hernandez being the main man in the starting eleven that was relied on so heavily throughout the season. By and large, Columbus have retained its core squad, with only Jonathan Mensah and Derrick Etienne Jr. being the key players to leave the club. With Milos Degenek and Josh Williams as the main centre back pairing and newcomer Keegan Hughes as the back-up, the team is a bit shorthanded in defence at the moment. Nonetheless, with players like Lucas Zelarayan, Yaw Yeboah and Luis Diaz in midfield and attack, the team still has a good backbone to get the most out of Cucho and Ramirez.