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The Crew departed for their second leg of preseason training camp in Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 1. When the Crew return on Feb. 14, their 2026 MLS season opener against the Portland Timbers will be a week away.
Here are three things the Crew need to do before taking the field in Portland:
While coach Henrik Rydstrom spent only three days with the Crew during their first leg of training camp in Clearwater, Florida, the limited time allowed Rydstrom to start assembling the starting lineup.
"We have the big picture," Rydstrom said. "But it's also open. Players have the possibility to show their case. They might surprise you. They may perform in a way that maybe they didn't last year."
More Crew news: Henrik Rydstrom has 'a good picture' of how Columbus Crew will play
The Crew return a majority of the starters from last season, but Rydstrom being open-minded could cause a shake-up that has those players taking different roles.
The Crew are expected to have multiple preseason games in Palm Beach. There is no confirmation of the number of games or the opponents, as there is no requirement from MLS to release that information.
Rydstrom has to solidify a replacement for Darlington Nagbe at center midfield following Nagbe's retirement at the end of last season. Sean Zawadzki is among the few Crew players with experience at the position, though no one has been confirmed to be taking over Nagbe's spot.
The Crew's biggest move last season was signing striker Wessam Abou Ali from Egypt's Al Ahly on July 26.
Similar to Rydstrom, Abou Ali had to wait more than three weeks after finalizing his deal to join the club in the United States due to the work visa process. On Aug. 23, Abou Ali made his Crew debut, but four games and three goals later, he suffered a season-ending hairline fracture in his right ankle.
Having Abou Ali healthy is important.
Abou Ali spent the offseason recovering and is now rebuilding chemistry with forwards Diego Rossi and Daniel Gazdag.
"I think that it’s good that we are starting the season together, that we have the preseason together," Rossi said. "I think that game [against Atlanta], the three of us there, we did great."
During a 5-4 victory over Atlanta United on Sept. 13, they combed for four goals and three assists. They never got a chance to play another game together, as Rossi injured a hamstring during the game and Abou Ali was sidelined before Rossi returned.
Along with directness on the attack, another area Rydstrom has keyed in on is improving the Crew's set pieces.
"It's not that we jump ... we take those small steps," Rydstrom said. "If something doesn't feel good, they need to tell me. But I also want to see this working out in a good way."
The Crew scored 56 regular-season goals in 2025 after recording a club-best 66 in 2024.
The Crew scored only eight of their regular-season goals last season off corner and penalty kicks.
[email protected]
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew preseason: 3 keys for second leg of training camp
Continue reading...
Here are three things the Crew need to do before taking the field in Portland:
Columbus Crew must solidify starting lineup for season-opener vs Portland Timbers
While coach Henrik Rydstrom spent only three days with the Crew during their first leg of training camp in Clearwater, Florida, the limited time allowed Rydstrom to start assembling the starting lineup.
"We have the big picture," Rydstrom said. "But it's also open. Players have the possibility to show their case. They might surprise you. They may perform in a way that maybe they didn't last year."
More Crew news: Henrik Rydstrom has 'a good picture' of how Columbus Crew will play
The Crew return a majority of the starters from last season, but Rydstrom being open-minded could cause a shake-up that has those players taking different roles.
The Crew are expected to have multiple preseason games in Palm Beach. There is no confirmation of the number of games or the opponents, as there is no requirement from MLS to release that information.
Rydstrom has to solidify a replacement for Darlington Nagbe at center midfield following Nagbe's retirement at the end of last season. Sean Zawadzki is among the few Crew players with experience at the position, though no one has been confirmed to be taking over Nagbe's spot.
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Columbus Crew must get Wessam Abou Ali back to where he left off before injury
The Crew's biggest move last season was signing striker Wessam Abou Ali from Egypt's Al Ahly on July 26.
Similar to Rydstrom, Abou Ali had to wait more than three weeks after finalizing his deal to join the club in the United States due to the work visa process. On Aug. 23, Abou Ali made his Crew debut, but four games and three goals later, he suffered a season-ending hairline fracture in his right ankle.
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Having Abou Ali healthy is important.
Abou Ali spent the offseason recovering and is now rebuilding chemistry with forwards Diego Rossi and Daniel Gazdag.
"I think that it’s good that we are starting the season together, that we have the preseason together," Rossi said. "I think that game [against Atlanta], the three of us there, we did great."
During a 5-4 victory over Atlanta United on Sept. 13, they combed for four goals and three assists. They never got a chance to play another game together, as Rossi injured a hamstring during the game and Abou Ali was sidelined before Rossi returned.
Columbus Crew must take steps forward in improving Rydstrom's areas of focus
Along with directness on the attack, another area Rydstrom has keyed in on is improving the Crew's set pieces.
"It's not that we jump ... we take those small steps," Rydstrom said. "If something doesn't feel good, they need to tell me. But I also want to see this working out in a good way."
The Crew scored 56 regular-season goals in 2025 after recording a club-best 66 in 2024.
You must be registered for see images
The Crew scored only eight of their regular-season goals last season off corner and penalty kicks.
[email protected]
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew preseason: 3 keys for second leg of training camp
Continue reading...
