As the new Major League Soccer season dawns, the Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers are gearing up for their highly anticipated opening match. The Crew, led by their new Swedish head coach Henrik Rydstrom, are eager to leave last season's struggles behind. Meanwhile, the Timbers, largely retaining their core roster, are focused on delivering a significantly improved performance.
Henrik Rydstrom, who took the helm as the Crew's coach on New Year's Eve, has a clear vision for his squad. He famously articulated his desire for a team that plays with the intensity and cohesion of a "rock band." This philosophy will be put to the test as the Crew, who finished with 54 points last season, kick off their campaign against Portland, who accrued 44 points in the previous term.
Last season proved to be a challenging one for the Columbus Crew. The departure of their star forward, Juan "Cucho" Hernandez, to Real Betis just weeks into the season, significantly impacted their offensive capabilities. This led to a seventh-place finish in the Eastern Conference and an early exit in the first round of the playoffs. However, there's renewed optimism surrounding their attacking prowess for the upcoming season.
A major source of this optimism lies in the potential of their designated players: Diego Rossi, Daniel Gazdag, and Wessam Abou Ali. Despite playing together for only a limited 150 minutes last year, this formidable trio collectively contributed five goals and three assists. Their continued development and synergy are expected to be pivotal to the Crew's success in 2026.
The Crew will also have to contend with the absence of Darlington Nagbe, a veteran midfielder who has now retired. Nagbe was a consistent presence in the team's midfield for six seasons, following a seven-year tenure with Portland and two seasons in Atlanta. His departure leaves a significant gap that the team will need to address.
On the other side, the Portland Timbers, after an eighth-place finish in the Western Conference and a first-round playoff exit against top-seeded San Diego, are also looking for a fresh start. While they traded midfielder David Ayala to Inter Miami and released injured forward Jonathan Rodriguez, their roster remains largely consistent, with the notable addition of midfielder Cole Bassett from Colorado.
Timbers coach Phil Neville, now in his third year, expressed his high expectations for the team, stating, "This is my third year, and you know, I'm not embarrassed to say, I think this is a year when we've got to deliver. And I'm super excited." However, the Timbers will be without midfielder David Da Costa for the start of the season as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, presenting an early challenge for the squad.
Both the Columbus Crew and the Portland Timbers are entering the new MLS season with a mix of anticipation and determination. The Crew, under new leadership, are focused on a more harmonious and impactful performance, especially with their key attacking players. The Timbers, with their largely stable roster, are also keen to demonstrate their potential and rise above their previous season's results, setting the stage for an exciting opening match.